Author: Rod Jones

This summer I was very fortunate to get a call to help complete my bucket list….British Columbia fishing! I was off! …and boy was I impressed with my travelling partner! He set up the whole trip, and all the travel arrangements. I would have had a hell of a time navigating through the ridiculously huge airports in Toronto and Vancouver. My friend also made arrangements for a side trip to visit his friends at Lund on the mainland; another educational experience. We went to his friends’ seafood farm that raises scallops, mussels and oysters. After picking up the choice eating, we went out in another boat and set traps for prawns and crabs. It was the first time I saw anything like that. The experience was great and the catch was our meal. It was awesome, to meet so many new friends and experience their different lifestyles.

The next day we headed for the Island. A couple of ferry rides and some driving brought us to Kyuquot Sound Lodge. Soon after our arrival, we were off with owner Matt Guiguet to our first fishing destination about ten minutes from the Lodge. Down went the baits! It was ridiculous how fast the rods went off. You’d just sit down and off would go another! This went on each day with different guides and lots and lots of fish! We could only keep 4 Chinook and 8 Coho, and the Coho had to be clipped to keep. We likely caught 150 or more but all were wild so had to go back. We also went jigging but after 40 minutes I gave up. Ughhh… It was all work! In that 40 minutes we landed 2 mid-sized halibut, 2 ling cod, 2 red snapper and about 6 or 7 rock fish. UN-REAL! Fishing like this was hard work!

Thanks to everyone in the Lodge, from owners, cooks, guides and my favorite guide and friend that helped me through all the obstacles and all the fun. Thanks Darryl “the Cronz!” It was a great time. Two more things on my bucket list…. Want to go?

…Cronzy’s reply:

“It was fun helping you fill out your Bucket List you Old Fart. It’s just too bad you left out a few of the fun things that took place out on the coast. I guess what happens in B.C. stays in B.C., but the combination of fish, scenery and that special B.C. medication sure kept you on your toes and in action the entire trip. As for helping you continue on with filling out that list, give me about six months. Since that last outing I’m whipped! A kid like me has a hard time keeping up with an Old Fart like you.”….