Trailering from Seattle to River's inlet BC

J

joechiro30

New member
Has anyone fished river's inlet BC and has trailered or boated from Washington?
I'd like to make a trip up there and book out a week. Any info and tips would be appreciated. Never have done this trip but may take the Tomcat up there to fish for big kings first week or second week of August.
 
I don't know if you can drive into Rivers Inlet. If so, it is not likely you want to tow a boat on a trailer on that road. You can trailer into Bella Coola, it is a better road, but it is still it is steep mountain road in places. You can take the BC ferry there.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon
 
River's Inlet is one amazing place to fish and explore and you have the timing right. I've haven't been lately but guided there for several summers back in the 90s. The way to get there is from Port Hardy. It's only about a 2-3 hour trip but of course takes special consideration because it is open water. There are lots of places with good tips on that crossing, I came across good info here http://slowboat.com/guide/info/rounding-cape-caution-2/
 
Yes, Port Hardy is the closest you can get.
hardee":3jkyhar2 said:
You can take the BC ferry there.
SleepyC :moon
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Are you sure? I've taken the ferry from Port Hardy to Bella Coola and it didn't go to River's Inlet.
Boating from Bella Coola would avoid open water, but that's a long (but scenic) way around. The road to Bella Coola is much improved over what it used to be. Still gravel, but wider and more pullouts.
 
chipwagon":xi4a0tkd said:
River's Inlet is one amazing place to fish and explore and you have the timing right. I've haven't been lately but guided there for several summers back in the 90s. The way to get there is from Port Hardy. It's only about a 2-3 hour trip but of course takes special consideration because it is open water. There are lots of places with good tips on that crossing, I came across good info here http://slowboat.com/guide/info/rounding-cape-caution-2/
Click to expand...

Awesome that you guided there Blair. You must have caught some monster kings. That's the reason I want to trek out there is to hook and land big sized kings. Are the fishing holes close in? Do you have any maps of the fishing holes? PM if you can give out some info and details as to how to fish rivers inlet. What gear and lure combinations that work best. Thanks
 
On the water it will be closer to 80 miles from Port Hardy to River's Inlet. Weather can make the trip thru open water on the rough side, but we have done it in larger boats a number of times, with zero problems--and sometimes calm all of the way across Queen Charlotte Strait.

I would not want to trailer a Tom Cat to Bella Coola. I am with those who say trailer to Port Hardy.( Port McNeil is another option--it is further, but may offer better storage option?--not sure of current situations). and run over from there.

For those who do not know; you have to have electric over hydraulic brakes (or electric) on the boat trailer, if the total weight is over 2800kg (6160#) in BC. Then " operator controlled" brakes are required. I have never been stopped and checked (we have towed only the C Dory 25 in BC). But if you had an accident, I suspect that there would be repercussions.
 
pcg":2gla999e said:
Yes, Port Hardy is the closest you can get.
hardee":2gla999e said:
You can take the BC ferry there.
SleepyC :moon
Click to expand...
Are you sure? I've taken the ferry from Port Hardy to Bella Coola and it didn't go to River's Inlet.
Boating from Bella Coola would avoid open water, but that's a long (but scenic) way around. The road to Bella Coola is much improved over what it used to be. Still gravel, but wider and more pullouts.
Click to expand...

Yes, the BC Ferry does go to Bella Coola, but not to Rivers Inlet that I can find. The run from Bella Coola would be more protected, (no open ocean crossing), but you could still have some serious head seas and winds. I guess that can happen most anywhere though.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon
 
you could still have some serious head seas and winds. I guess that can happen most anywhere though.
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Harvey, The run from Bella Coola to Rivers Inlet is pretty well protected from both the North Westerlies (by Calvert Island) and then from the South by the mainland out to Kelps Head. We always figured by the time we reached the Southern End of Calvert that the seas calmed down. But the run to Bella Colla on the Ferry is going to be considerably more expensive--more than the fuel running across directly from Vancouver Island. Plus if Joe so desires, a night at God's Pocket (We were always able to arrange dinner ashore at the lodge) is a treat not to be missed.
 
Trailer to Port Hardy but turn left instead of getting on the B.C. Ferry. Drive 20 minutes and launch at Coal Harbor to fish Quatsino Sound. Plenty of Brats have fished out of Winter Harbor on Quatsino (and you can also tow there). They can tell you whether a $1,000 ferry ride to Bella Bella/Shearwater and back tracking to Rivers Inlet is worth the effort. From my experience, there isn't a king salmon worth $1,000. If there is, they will also be at Quatsino.

Mark
 
Marco Flamingo":1xtzvrck said:
From my experience, there isn't a king salmon worth $1,000. If there is, they will also be at Quatsino.

Mark
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Agreed there isn't a king salmon worth $1000, when I do the math of boat, accomodations, gear, fuel, moorage, insurance... mine tend to be worth about $5000 a pop.

Winter Harbour is also an awesome place to fish and explore (did a trip last summer) but of all the places I've fished on the BC coast, Rivers Inlet is pretty unique and special.
 
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