09/03 - 09/18 - Desolation Sound 2005

Now back to regular programming.

My feeling is we'll want to go maybe as far north as Blind Channel, where the Richtors [sic] run a fabulous restaurant. Nice marina, too. That would put us at Johnstone Strait's doorstep, opening the possibility to places like Minstrel Island, Sullivan and Echo Bays, and much more.

Rrrow, the possibilities!
 
All right ! This is shaping up to be the MAIN EVENT of the summer. Is it too early for a sign up sheet ? ( Can ya tell I'm a little excited )

Catman":ijz8xenj said:
I'm the cat, and yes, I allow myself out of the boat to prowl the dock for mice, things that move, and lady cats. :cat
Click to expand...

Brock, did you trade in that porta potty for a cat box? :lol:
 
Terry, I did. And if you need any cat toys like those little mousers stuffed with catnip, rubber squeezy critters, or a ball of string, don't be afraid to ask.
 
No VHF Marine Radio Licence is required for recreational boaters in Canada, however, the operator of the radio must have a Restricted Radiotelephone Operators Certificate (ROC). Check out the following site for more info
http://boating.ncf.ca/vhf.html

Del

boat.gif
 
Del,

Caution, that web site is Canadian rules for Canadian boats. I scrolled down a few paragraphs and there is a section about foreign boats in Canada. (That would be for boats with United States registration.)
 
Catman,

To get to Minstrel Island, Sullivan Bay and Echo Bay from Desolation, you have to go up the Johnstone Strait. I have gone up and down the Johnstone many times, and that 15 miles can be almost impassable for our small boats. In the summer, the Westerly wind blows down the Johnstone at 20-30 knots most every day. Waves can exceed 5 ft. One summer while northbound in the Johnstone we 'holed up' for 5 days waiting for the wind to subside. The next day we left and made all of 4 miles in 2 hours. Talk about a washing machine!!

I would advise trailering up Vancouver Island to Port McNeil or Telegraph Cove and launching there.
 
C-Lou,

The area around Lund still fishes pretty good in early September. Thats when the Northern Coho run pretty well peaks and there are still runs of Chinook passing through. Campbell River, which is just across the Georgia Strait and a bit north still has good fishing. And Stewart Island area is known for excellent fishing. Stewart Is. is pretty well at the top end of the "Desolation Sound" cruising area. Heck if I can catch fish up there, C-Lou will probably sit lower in the water with all the fish you'll catch. One of the really great things about the Desolation area is the number of different routes you can take and areas to visit all within a fairly easy cruise distance.
Cheers
Ron

Ron
 
Larry, point well taken. I've heard the horror stories about Johnstone Strait. I've been through it just once, in '78 on a small, very slow fishing boat, and the water was flat. Then in '96 while at Blind Channel I waited two days for Johnstone to lighten up, which it never did. It ran 20-30 knots for a week, so a reasonable person might well ask what I was thinking to suggest we go there. For this trip I think we have all we need right there in Desolation.

Thanks for bringing up the existing Desolation thread. I thought we had one going and I went back several months in search of same, but I didn't dig deep enough so I started a new one. How do we want to work this? Why don't we go with our newest thread while keeping the original close at hand.
 
With our little guys, a nice way to go play in Desolation is to tow to Lund. Saves some open water that can upset copilots. Suggest going around Vancouver to avoid the horrible traffic. Two small ferry rides, and some beautiful country to travel through. Big minus -- you miss many great enroute boating spots. Can't get greedy.

Dusty
 
I am inclined to agree with you Dusty. We've got two weeks to spend and I initially thought one week for travel via boat and one week to check out the Sound area.

After looking at the extent of open water from here to there as you mentioned, I think realistically, there are two options. Spend the time enjoying the travel to and from the destination or spend the time enjoying the destination.

Considering our low threshold level for pain, our desire to keep adrenelin levels low and having to commit to a specific time period to take the trip, it's making more sense for us to embark from Lund. Our boat looks pretty big when we're cleaning it up. It amazes me just how small it feels when things get a little dicey on the water.

To each, his own as they say. It will be interesting to watch the group sort themselves out. The wimps and the wadicals if you will.
 
Robbin and I are excited about the trip. We were wondering how many are considering going by boat and how many are trailering. From my calculations it is about 160 nautical miles from Anacortes via Nanaimo to Lund by boat.

Those that are interested in FCC licenses, try out this site. It walks you thru the process.
FCC application
 
Ouch!
I just checked out the FCC link for radio license, $250? Has anyone done this and do these expire and need to be renewed? For $250 I may continue to be a scoff-law. I have fished in BC for many years and enjoy listening to the radio traffic and marine weather but I have seldom had any reason to transmit on the VHF.
 
Guess I will have to get the ol' atlas out to see how to (A) go around Vancouver (can that actually be done??) and (2) get to Lund... Is there a good launch with lots of parking in Lund? And is a run into Princess Louisa a reasonable possibility on this trip?


Sawdust":2w2p0ffm said:
With our little guys, a nice way to go play in Desolation is to tow to Lund. Saves some open water that can upset copilots. Suggest going around Vancouver to avoid the horrible traffic. Two small ferry rides, and some beautiful country to travel through. Big minus -- you miss many great enroute boating spots. Can't get greedy.

Dusty
Click to expand...
 
OK, since we have the panorama of Desolation Sound, here is the next one down, Sunshine Coast. Jervis Inlet, which leads to Princess Louisa Inlet, is right at the top...

Sunshine_Coast_Panorama.jpg
 
Just looked at the ferry schedule and rates.

http://www.bcferries.com

Looks like two ferry rides. 1 from Horseshoe Bay to Longdale, 40 minute/10NM trip. Leaves every two hours. The way I am reading the rate sheet it looks like about $100 R/T for a 40 ft combo , over 7ft in height and driver/passenger. 2nd trip from Earls Cove to Saltery Bay. Same rate.

So about $200 for the total ferry rides. Mapquest shows the total mileage at about 150 from Blaine to Lund. Almost 5 hours. Add a couple since we are towing boats.

The ferry system accepts MC and VISA so you will get the going exchange rate.
 
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