If I had to bet the life of my wife, Lois, or one of my kids on catching a chinook salmon, I'd go to Ucluelet British Columbia. More specifically, you'd find me on a boat with a guide from Island West Resort. Fishing and catching can be that good on the southern West Coast of Vancouver Island, so good in fact, I've never been skunked a single day while fishing the area.

Many firsts have taken place at Ucluelet B.C. for my friends and family. My wife caught her second salmon ever, a 21-pounder and her third ever, a 30-pounder which also marked her first Tyee trophy. My best friend also tallied his first-ever Tyee, another bullet-shaped,30-pounder that looked like it came from the same cookie cutter mold. Three other friends I've taken to Ucluelet, all of which had no salmon fishing experience, caught their first salmon limits and first Tyees too. Add to this list, my first halibut ever, many years ago and you have a super affordable, world-class fishing opportunity. As a result of the fast fishing action, salmon and halibut fishing in British Columbia has proved a life-long addiction, bringing me back every chance I get.

If you've never fished the area you might wonder why so many anglers catch so many salmon. First and foremost, the area is a major feeding and growing area for several salmon runs including the Columbia and Fraser Rivers - two of the largest runs of chinook. Secondly, and most important, southern Vancouver Island operates two hatcheries that yearly release 14 million chinook salmons molts. Robertson Creek at the head of Alberni Inlet annually releases approximately 8 million chinook smoltand for years made the fishery famous. During peak years, more than250,000 behemoth chinook, most of which weighed at least 20 pounds, migrated past Ucluelet where they take a left turn into Barkley Sound in route to the hatchery. The Nitinat hatchery, located just around the corner from Barkley Sound, releases another 6 million smolts, many of which grow up and return as 20 to 30 pound adults. These fish offer another chance for anglers to catch fish from a slightly different, but equally excellent cookie cutter mold. With r eleases of that magnitude you can't help but have fish return in numbers great enough to almost guarantee success.

"Last year 50 percent of the hatchery fish taken in the Barkley Sound fishery from our hatchery," boasted Rob Brower, assistant Nitinat hatchery manager.

Norm Reite, owner/operator of Island West Resort {250-726-7515} says fisheries biologists predict a return of four-year old fish this season heading back to the hatcheries. He adds with enthusiasm, "We're going to have a super year for Tyee {chinook over 30-pounds}." Rain or shine, if you arrive at Ucluelet anytime from May to September, you'll be in time to take part in the best salmon fishing within an eight hour drive of Seattle. Being so close even offers anglers the chance to spend three-day long weekends in the area - hurried yes, but filled with fish catching fun. My long weekend, early last August, allowed my fishing partner and I to fish with Bill Von Brendel, one of Island West Resort's top guides. During our stay we trolled the expansive offshore underwater banks with amazing success. When we left the resort we had limits of chinook, coho and halibut. Our giant cooler plus a Styrofoam container barely held our catch.

The prime chinook season starts in mid May and continues through August and into September, according to Reite. Early in the season, large numbers of smaller sized 10 to 20-pound chinook entertain anglers fishing throughout the region. As the season progresses and peaks in mid-August, numbers of chinook increase and decrease as schools of chinook feed their way down the coast. Chinook in the 20 to 40-poundrange become common sights almost daily.

This offshore fishery can hardly be beat. Ask anyone who's "been here and done that" and they'll tell you the same thing - chinook weighing between the teens and twenties are plentiful. You can't help but catch fish when fishing with the Island West Resort Guides. Limits aboard your own boats are common too, because it's hard to fish on the wrong spot. Simply find the large underwater banks, set the downriggers just off bottom and troll a plug or bait alone or try a black and white squid-filled with Berkley Power Bait or a Chartreuse Coyote spoon 38-inches behind a flasher and enjoy the action.

Early in the season when anglers troll the offshore underwater banks, South Bank and Lighthouse Bank, most of the fish weigh between 15 to 35pounds. When July's on-again, off-again sunny weather arrives, so do shoreline-hugging chinook. These fish provide anglers a special opportunity to intercept them within easy range of Ucluelet Harbor. Boats in the 16-foot and up range enjoy quick and easy access to a shoreline fishery that can't be beat. Always watch the weather and have all of the safety items, including a VHF and CB radio. Better safe than sorry and respect for the Pacific Ocean should be top priority.

If the Pacific Ocean becomes angered with high, unfishable seas, anglers find safe solitude among the hundreds of tiny islands inside Barkley Sound. Literally thousands of chinook hideouts can be found throughout Barkley Sound as well as unbelievable, underwater spires, craggy bottoms and kelp beds where bottomfish prowl with regularity. Be there with a jig, send it to the bottom and you'll catch bottom fish. You can say the same thing about the offshore fishery too.

Halibut fishing in the area becomes a main attraction for halibut hunters from late May through mid July when they scarf up a variety of baits and lures nearshore and offshore. During the rest of the year, halibut are added bonuses when caught accidentally by salmon anglers trolling. However, during most of the summer, your chances of catching halibut remain extremely good when trolling the offshore banks for salmon within 20 feet of the bottom.

Planning a trip to Barkley Sound From Seattle drive north on I-5 to the Canadian border. From the border follow the signs to the Tsawwassen ferry terminal and take the Nanaimo ferry. The ferry ride is just under two hours. Also note, B.C. Ferriesnow offers a reservation system for an added fee. You'll need to call ahead with a credit card number to pay for the reservation. However, not all vehicles towing boats qualify, but if you can, spend the extra few dollars to guarantee your spot.

From Nanaimo follow the signs leading toward Parksville. Travel north from Nanaimo on Highway 1 for 53 miles, then turn west on 4 and travel over the mountains for approximately 67 miles. Allow plenty of time for sightseeing and shopping along the way. Just west of Parksville, Coombs attracts tourists to the tiny roadside town with goats on the roof of a farmer's market that shouldn't be missed.

Island West Fishing Resort in Ucluelet has a private boat launch and marina, waterfront lodge, motel, tackle shop, RV park and offers daily guided fishing trips. Norm Reite, owner/operator, advises Fishing Journal readers to book chartered fishing trips, mooring space and resort space early because primetimes sell out early. He also advises campers to book early if they plan on staying at the Ucluelet Campground {250} 726-4355}.

Fishing Hotspots During the early season until Mid July, Reite recommends anglers to concentrate efforts offshore, either on South Bank or Lighthouse Bank. During peak big chinook season, he points anglers to Wya Point, Sail Rock and Flencia Point. Lots of large, hungry chinook will no doubt be feeding throughout the offshore banks as well.

Inside Barkley Sound, anglers should fish anywhere in the Broken Group mid-July through mid August. From mid August through September the Imperial Eagle Channel gets high praise from me and countless other anglers. Don't overlook the excellent sockeye run on the Bamfield side, all the way to Port Alberni from mid July to mid August.

Bring a stout rod and reel loaded with at least 20-pound test. 25 or30-pound test gets the nod when the bruisers arrive. Flashers trailing anchovies rigged in a Rhys Davis holder are the top producers year 'round. However, I'm a firm believer in the Coyote spoon and Silver Horde's Sonic Edge spoons in Chrome, Chartreuse, blue, green or 50/50. Leader lengths for spoons and squid range anywhere from a short 34inches while fishing offshore to as much as five feet when fishing along the shoreline. When using the typical anchovy rig or a herring during the near shore, shoreline fishery, a long five to six foot long leader works well.

Herring, plugs, squids, spoons and jigs will also take plenty of fish. If you fish offshore, troll your bait or lure within 20 feet of the bottom. Inside waters are easy if you remember to troll a tad fast and fish depths ranging from 15-feet to the bottom. Bring lots of tackle, it's not cheap in Canada. Also bring plenty of bait, if you can find anchovies in the states bring all you can afford and keep them fresh. Herring works well, but 'chovies reign supreme only because more anglers use them than herring.

Island West Resort caters to anglers who bring their own boat or charter for a half day, full day or multi-day adventures. And whether you choose the motel, campground or RV Park, the 85 slip marina offers quick and easy access to the fishing grounds. The resort also has a launch ramp, showers, laundry facilities, fully stocked tackle store and a restaurant/pub.

Island West Resort offers two special, all-inclusive fishing packages. A 2/day 2/night for $649 U.S. tax included per person double occupancy or $521 per person triple occupancy or 3/days 3/nights for $964 double or $778 triple occupancy, tax included. Packages include 8-hours per day, fishing for salmon and halibut, box lunches, and preparation of your catch for one night by the resort's chef at Eagle's Nest Marine Pub. Or anglers can choose to build their personalized fishing adventure, call for details.

Fishing charters are available from $379 U.S. tax included for two anglers, on a 6-hour charter. Considering the exchange rate of 40percent in recent weeks, the cost of fishing in Canada this summer is a bargain, especially considering B.C.'s generous limit of two chinook per day, four in possession and two halibut per day, three in possession.

Money
The exchange rate changes daily but has hovered in the 40 percent range, making a trip to Canada a steal instead of a bargain. However, anglers are well advised to go to the bank and exchange U.S funds into Canadian funds before traveling to Vancouver Island. The farther away from the "Big City" you get, the less favorable the exchange rate you will receive on location.