DIY Haida Gwaii (Queen Charlotte Islands)

[bardfromedson]

I have dragged the boat out to Rupert and tofino a couple times now. was thinking of going back to Haida Gwaii. I was there about 8 years ago but we stayed on the guides boat. fished the west coast after going through the narrows. was wondering if this is a good place to go back to or is there other good options for places to fish? I remember it being fairly sheltered there and the fishing was quite good but we would have to run back through the narrows every day since by boat only sleeps 2. is this tough to do at low tide? also, when would be good times to go? I think we went in june last time there and the Chinook fishing was good and the coho were not showing up yet in good numbers. we will be fishing out of a 23ft cuddy

[fisherman420]

Did the charlottes trip last year this time of year and it was great. We booked the ferry across well in advance so make sure they have room for your truck and boat. Stayed at the Chinook Lodge in Masset(was basically a townhouse we rented for the week) and that included a spot on the locked up docks by Naden lodge. We took our 21ft Campion Explorer and had no issues except one day when the weather was beyond poor so we decided to check out inthe island for the day. Fishing is easy, there will be lots of people on the usual spots and it's only a short run basically just outside the channel.

[Dona]

Just returned from the Haida Gwaii. Flew to Masset then Helicoptered to one of the Lodges on the Northern Tip of the Island. Fishing was superb! Fishing here is near the Coastline weather this time was clam and clear. If you are intending to fish for Halibut you might want to look into purchasing quota. Springs & Coho were hitting hard and fast - we had no problem getting our quotas. Fishing Haida Gwaii makes it hard to Fish my Alberta Lakes. Enjoy your time.

[bardfromedson]

Originally Posted by Dona

Just returned from the Haida Gwaii. Flew to Masset then Helicoptered to one of the Lodges on the Northern Tip of the Island. Fishing was superb! Fishing here is near the Coastline weather this time was clam and clear. If you are intending to fish for Halibut you might want to look into purchasing quota. Springs & Coho were hitting hard and fast - we had no problem getting our quotas. Fishing Haida Gwaii makes it hard to Fish my Alberta Lakes. Enjoy your time.

purchasing a quota? isn't it one big and one small catch limit again this year?

[fishmonger]

Halibut regs...keeping in mind that possession must be stretched over at least 2 days (as daily limit is 1 fish):

Last year...possession was 1 fish under 83cms, 1 fish over 83cms (any size).

This year (2013)...possession is 1 fish under 83cms (approx 15 lbs), 1 fish under 126cms (approx 60lbs), with an annual limit of 6 fish max (recorded similar to Springs).

That's the easy part.

The hard part? Transporting 2 halibut within the regs...

New Halibut Transporting and Packaging Guidelines - April 2, 2013
New regulations come into force April 1, 2013, with the issuance of the 2013-2014 Tidal Waters Sport Fishing Licence.

You are required to record your halibut catch on your licence. Carry a tape measure and a pen with you on your boat so that you can record on your licence: the date, Fisheries Management Area and length of the halibut you decide to keep.
Anglers may remove the head from their catch. The maximum length conversion for a head-off halibut is 63 cm (head on: 83 cm) and 95 cm (head on: 126 cm), measured from the base of the pectoral fin at its most forward point to the extreme end of the middle of the tail.
Mark an area on your vessel’s hull at the water-line in the area where you would play your catch. Use these marks to determine the 83 cm or 126 cm size limit of your catch. A measuring device may also be fashioned from a piece of wooden dowel such as the handle on a deck broom. Mark the two size limits on the dowel and use this to measure your catch while it is still in the water.
Small halibut are easier to handle than larger ones and may be netted and brought on board your vessel where they can be measured and either returned or taken within your daily limit. If you decide to release a small halibut, if possible, do so while it is still in the water as this will cause it the least amount of harm.
DO NOT bring large halibut on board your vessel to measure. Halibut are a very powerful fish and can cause you serious injury. If you believe you cannot properly measure a large fish safely and accurately enough to comply with the length requirement then release the fish.
Packaging for Transport
Any halibut that you catch may be left whole, may have the head removed, or may be filleted as noted below.
Halibut may be packaged by a registered fish processing establishment. Some lodges are registered and provide this service and most coastal communities have certified establishments that also offer this service.
Filleting
Halibut that are too large for your cooler may be filleted for transport however some care must be taken to ensure that the fish you possess can be readily measured if inspected by a fishery officer.

Once filleted you should have no more than seven pieces from each halibut including the one whole fillet with the tail and pectoral fin attached.
To remove the fillets so that you can comply with the maximum length requirement remove the top (dorsal) fillets first.
Remove the bottom (ventral) fillet from one side. This leaves you the last remaining fillet still attached, the backbone, tail, and the pectoral fin on the side opposite to where the first ventral fillet was removed.
You must retain the pectoral fin and the tail attached to the last fillet. Beginning at the pectoral fin, start to remove the fillet towards the tail as you normally would.
Once near the end of the fillet, cut through the spine above the tail being careful to leave the skin facing you at the tail attached.
When you have cut through the spine you can cut through the flesh at the end of the fillet down to the skin without cutting it through which then will act like a hinge allowing the tail to be folded under the fillet for transport. This will allow the length of your catch to be readily measured.
The dorsal fillets and the fillet without the tail and pectoral fin may each be cut into two pieces for ease of storage until you arrive at your ordinary residence.
Keep the pieces of each fillet together in its own bag.
The ventral fillet that has the tail and pectoral fin attached must remain in one piece. Should you make a mistake during this procedure on removal of this last fillet, retain the pieces from it and keep them together in a separate bag so that they may be inspected if required.
Fillet pieces that are frozen must be frozen separately so that each piece may be measured if required.
Avoid cutting fish into smaller pieces. The regulation states that the fish you possess must be readily measureable to determine that it is in compliance where size limits apply. You are responsible to comply with this requirement.

[kenh]

Originally Posted by bardfromedson

purchasing a quota? isn't it one big and one small catch limit again this year?

you can apply for a licence to purchase quota from the commercial fisherman. I think they charge $5.00 a pound for cleaned fish.

[Dark]

I ran the narrows at low tide with my 18 fter.
The kelp was right across the channel, did not think I would make it with out fouling the prop but we did. After that we would only go thru on a higher tide.
We fished the north island masset and out of charlett city but found the best fishing on the west side through the narrows.

[Jamie]

Originally Posted by fishmonger

Halibut regs...keeping in mind that possession must be stretched over at least 2 days (as daily limit is 1 fish):

Last year...possession was 1 fish under 83cms, 1 fish over 83cms (any size).

This year (2013)...possession is 1 fish under 83cms (approx 15 lbs), 1 fish under 126cms (approx 60lbs), with an annual limit of 6 fish max (recorded similar to Springs).

That's the easy part.

The hard part? Transporting 2 halibut within the regs...

New Halibut Transporting and Packaging Guidelines - April 2, 2013
New regulations come into force April 1, 2013, with the issuance of the 2013-2014 Tidal Waters Sport Fishing Licence.

You are required to record your halibut catch on your licence. Carry a tape measure and a pen with you on your boat so that you can record on your licence: the date, Fisheries Management Area and length of the halibut you decide to keep.
Anglers may remove the head from their catch. The maximum length conversion for a head-off halibut is 63 cm (head on: 83 cm) and 95 cm (head on: 126 cm), measured from the base of the pectoral fin at its most forward point to the extreme end of the middle of the tail.
Mark an area on your vessel’s hull at the water-line in the area where you would play your catch. Use these marks to determine the 83 cm or 126 cm size limit of your catch. A measuring device may also be fashioned from a piece of wooden dowel such as the handle on a deck broom. Mark the two size limits on the dowel and use this to measure your catch while it is still in the water.
Small halibut are easier to handle than larger ones and may be netted and brought on board your vessel where they can be measured and either returned or taken within your daily limit. If you decide to release a small halibut, if possible, do so while it is still in the water as this will cause it the least amount of harm.
DO NOT bring large halibut on board your vessel to measure. Halibut are a very powerful fish and can cause you serious injury. If you believe you cannot properly measure a large fish safely and accurately enough to comply with the length requirement then release the fish.
Packaging for Transport
Any halibut that you catch may be left whole, may have the head removed, or may be filleted as noted below.
Halibut may be packaged by a registered fish processing establishment. Some lodges are registered and provide this service and most coastal communities have certified establishments that also offer this service.
Filleting
Halibut that are too large for your cooler may be filleted for transport however some care must be taken to ensure that the fish you possess can be readily measured if inspected by a fishery officer.

Once filleted you should have no more than seven pieces from each halibut including the one whole fillet with the tail and pectoral fin attached.
To remove the fillets so that you can comply with the maximum length requirement remove the top (dorsal) fillets first.
Remove the bottom (ventral) fillet from one side. This leaves you the last remaining fillet still attached, the backbone, tail, and the pectoral fin on the side opposite to where the first ventral fillet was removed.
You must retain the pectoral fin and the tail attached to the last fillet. Beginning at the pectoral fin, start to remove the fillet towards the tail as you normally would.
Once near the end of the fillet, cut through the spine above the tail being careful to leave the skin facing you at the tail attached.
When you have cut through the spine you can cut through the flesh at the end of the fillet down to the skin without cutting it through which then will act like a hinge allowing the tail to be folded under the fillet for transport. This will allow the length of your catch to be readily measured.
The dorsal fillets and the fillet without the tail and pectoral fin may each be cut into two pieces for ease of storage until you arrive at your ordinary residence.
Keep the pieces of each fillet together in its own bag.
The ventral fillet that has the tail and pectoral fin attached must remain in one piece. Should you make a mistake during this procedure on removal of this last fillet, retain the pieces from it and keep them together in a separate bag so that they may be inspected if required.
Fillet pieces that are frozen must be frozen separately so that each piece may be measured if required.
Avoid cutting fish into smaller pieces. The regulation states that the fish you possess must be readily measureable to determine that it is in compliance where size limits apply. You are responsible to comply with this requirement.

You can do all of the above... Or take it to a licensed processor and get it cut/packaged any way you want. Much easier and better product.
Limits still apply until they are at your home.

As for a DIY trip. I would stay in QCC at the sea raven. Good restaurant, docks right below you, fuel is there, packaging is there.
Lots of areas to fish once past the narrows.
Good luck
Jamie