Go Fish!

Sam's first catch, Rock Cod - Gorge Harbor, BC

Sam's biggest catch so far, Halibut - Farewell Harbor, BC

Sam at the bow

Cruise ship passing Farewell Harbor, BC

Sam & Pete & a 20lb Halibut - Farewell Harbor, BC

LC checking out the scenery

Large sunstar caught in fish trap - Pt. McNeill, BC

Thar she blows! - Blackfish Sound

Anchored @ Hardy Island, BC

Face in tree - Berry Island, BC

Tree Shroom - Berry Island, BC

Chillin @ at the Octupus Islands, BC

August 3rd

Greetings from Port McNeill on Vancouver Island. We pulled in yesterday to get supplies because we're heading across Queen Charolette Strait tomorrow & large towns will be hard to come by in the future. This will also be our last ocean crossing until we head back south.

Sam joined us in Vancouver and got into the groove quickly. Our first night out he caught some bait fish at Hardy Island & has used them to catch bigger & better things. Our next night was in Gorge Harbor. It rained pretty hard so I made some lasagna & we settled in to watch a movie. The next day (after some morning fishing, see photo) we went thru our first pass.  To get thru these passes you have to wait for slack tide. These passes are very narrow and if you try & go thru them while the tides are high you will be fighting an 8-14 knot current. We hit it just about right & aside from having to avoid some indecisive sailboats we cruised right thru. 

That night we anchored by the Octupus Islands. Highlight was seeing an Osprey catch a fish & then being chased by a bald eagle. 

Next day we went thru another pass & then headed up Johnstone Strait. It was a long day as we battled wind, logs (some as large as telephone poles, others just stumps) and glare. Hit a couple of logs but luckily, no damage. As we got close to our stop, we spotted an Orca welcoming us to our evening anchorage. The area is called Blackfish Sound & it had lots of wildlife in it. The next day while driving I saw a Bald Eagle pick a salmon out of the water. 

We anchored in Farewell Harbor & I spent the morning exploring Berry Island while Sam & Pete fished. They caught some sole & then Sam caught a 20pd Halibut. It was huge & put up a fight but he reeled it in like a pro & as I drove us to Pt. McNeil, they cleaned & filleted it & vacuum packed it. Yummy!

So now as I finish this up, Pete & Sam are getting the boat ready for our next leg. Not sure when we will have internet again, but we'll post another log as soon as we do.