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A thousand pairs of eyes watched with envy from a distance as our bow cut through the calm water past a small island near the famed, “Inside Passage. Semi blue skies marbled with white misty swirls encased the scene like a wish come true. My wish had come true since I returned to the central coast, where the condition of the sky, good or bad, rarely prevents anglers from fishing or catching fish.

The very first time I fished the inland and offshore waters of B.C.’s fish-invested central coast, fish all but jumped onto bare hooks. The central coast’s charm and easy access to totally protected, super-productive inland waters seemed unreal at the time. The offshore options also proved equally tempting and rewarding. This trip would undoubtedly be no exception to the central coast’s rule of great fishing, and opulent wilderness scenery.

Staying at the region’s newest resort retreat, Whiskey Point Fishing Charters, added to the excitement of my long weekend trip. Having an enthusiastic and knowledgeable guide also helped in the excitement and fish catching departments!

Whiskey Point Fishing Charters owners, Randy and Carol Price opened their new lodge in May of 1995, after three years of planning and building. The end result of their hard work immediately showed in every detail from the time I first walked from the dock to the lodge via a boardwalk. Without question, Whiskey Point provides the finest European style bed and breakfast accommodations within 100 miles. Their 18-foot Campion cuddy-cabin boats provide a safe and roomy first class platform for fishing, crabbing or sightseeing. Their son, Mike, guides full time throughout the season. His willingness and knowledge ensures good times for guests, and can easily be measured by smiles, sore arms and hefty fish boxes.

I also wanted to enjoy the myriad of other opportunities that Whiskey Point Lodge offers which include; sight seeing; wildlife viewing; hiking and simply relaxing. My idea of relaxing involves hanging onto or watching a fishing rod – Whiskey Point’s specialty.

When I first learned about Whiskey Point Fishing Charters, I couldn’t wait to plan a trip to the new lodge for another successful central coast adventure. But this time I wanted to spend more time exploring the area’s scenic beauties and wildlife wonders, as well as the area’s many proven fishing grounds. I also wanted to try my hand at crabbing since hearing about the area’s wealth of crabs and the lodge’s willingness to take guests out for a morning, afternoon or evening sightseeing and crabbing trip.

My trip to Whiskey Point coincided with the mass migration of northern coho and pink salmon. Chinook would likely still be present as well, which surely could add to the fun and the fish box – if one chose to bite my line. Bottomfish always prove plentiful for those who want to enjoy their fight and white-fleshed fillets.

As the thousand pairs of eyes slowly motored off into the distance on the first afternoon of my visit to Whiskey Point, the Alaskan-bound cruise ship passengers must have wondered from the ship’s you-can-only-look decks, how many fish we would catch. Unfortunately they’d never know they’d just cruised by some of the world’s greatest salmon and bottomfishing, unless they read B.C. Sport Fishing regularly or visit Whiskey Point Fishing Charters!

On that first afternoon, Mike rounded a corner leaving the cruise ship’s wake behind. Slowly, he motored the boat into a quiet bay, in search of coho. Pointing toward the middle of the bay, he said, “Look over there, in the middle of the bay.” As soon as my eyes focused towards the direction he pointed, an unusual dark, black shape appeared, paddling slowly across the small bay. As Mike closed the distance between “it” and us, the squared off nose and pointy ears of a black bear took shape. Sure enough, a bear swam for dear life toward shore – obviously scared to death of our presence. What a time not to have the camera ready!

With a “sighting” under our belt, Mike headed toward Chaney Point, one of the central coast’s most productive locales. Within minutes of our arrival, I landed and released a small spring. Mike expertly maneuvered his boat while operating the Scotty downriggers. We had a bet going: would my whole herring catch as many fish as Mike’s dynamite cut-plug? It’s tough finding myself on the losing end of a bet, but not as bad because the winner handed me the rod with an aerial coho striding away from the boat.

To further press the issue of, “whose bait is better,” Mike’s cut-plug again enticed a strike. This time however, an 18-pound spring bolted to the surface and headed straight away toward Japan, tangling our other lines in its wake. During the battle, we debated at length if this fish was a coho or spring. Its surface runs and long-distance jumps fooled me into thinking, “coho.” The long runs also caused the knuckle-buster reel to earn its name once again – ouch! When I gazed into the water as the fish neared the boat, and Mike’s well-handled net, a fat dark outline with obvious spots settled the debate – a spring salmon. What a way to begin a trip; a bear sighting along with a coho and a multi-teen spring in the fish box, and a guide whose bait catches fish, one right after another! Soon after landing the spring, both our baits sprang into action, but this time, we lost the double header. Not to worry, where there’s one fish, there’s more, especially on the central coast.

Drizzly gray skies greeted us on my first morning at Whiskey Point. Gulls voiced their delight and eagles soared and circled overhead, waiting for any unsuspecting breakfast. We waited too, for the day and the tides to bring in a fresh run of coho or springs. Once again, Mike headed toward a couple of his favorite spots along Seaforth Channel, places where he knew we’d find enough action to satisfy my desire to catch fish. The channel’s calm waters and fishy shoreline soon yielded a small coho to Mike’s finely-tuned cut-plug. While the fishing remained slow during the morning, only producing a few strikes, I couldn’t help feeling sorry for the masses who daily pass by while aboard Alaskan-bound cruise ships. At least we had a chance at catching fish, no matter what the conditions provided. And we still had the best view on the coast.

Even during the slow times, waiting for a fresh run of fish to venture underneath us, the wildlife and scenery kept me spellbound. Eagles plucked unsuspecting meals from the channel’s boundaries about as often as I like to raid my wife’s cookie jar. Obviously, these waters enjoy abundant sealife which in turn provides eagles and other birds with all they could hope to eat. And bottomfish… dare to drop a lure or bait to the bottom and you will surely feel a knock, knock at the door of fishing opportunity – I did on numerous occasions. After day dreaming the morning away, Mike suggested we return to the lodge for a well-earned nap and lunch. Carol’s main course of soup and sandwiches hit the spot, but not nearly as much as her delicious deserts. Whiskey Point’s secluded location among the noise-dampening tall trees provided me with a much needed nap without the worries or noises of hurried city life.

For the afternoon bite we headed to Milbanke Sound, a place that almost always provides good catches of salmon and bottomfish. Several other boats in the area had already taken a mixed bag of coho, chinook and pink salmon. Not long after arriving, we too experienced the tell-tale signs of a strike, but unfortunately we didn’t connect. The excitement of the area could easily be seen when someone hooked into an out-of-the-water reflective coho. Most often a net would punctuate the action, followed by joyful whoops and hollers. Pink salmon also entertained anglers but, most anglers, including myself, decided to release them in favor of chinook or coho. When in central coast paradise, selective fishing becomes a reality because of abundance and opportunity! Before calling it a day, we fished our way back to the lodge, stopping at several fishy looking points along the channel. None of the locations provided us with fish in the net – just lost opportunities – but that’s why we call it fishing and not catching. My evening meal could easily be described as my mom’s holiday best – and she’s a great cook! In fact, every meal could be described this way. Carol knows how to please her guests at the dinner table, regardless of the meal served. Whiskey Point’s quiet surroundings, tranquil seaside view, great meals and abundant wildlife provide a unique blend of luxury in the wilderness – not to mention the fishing.

Calm winds, cool mist and the promise of more great fishing added to a hearty breakfast on the second morning of my visit. Once again, Mike promised a day of exploring the area’s wealth of fishing opportunity and beautiful scenery. Since the fishing had been the hottest at Milbanke Sound over the last few days, Mike decided to try a morning bite there, followed by halibut fishing slightly offshore from the bulk of salmon anglers. Eagerly we set our lines and watched patiently for action. Nothing but small fish entertained my lines which prompted a serious try for halibut.

On the way to the halibut grounds a mass of dolphins frolicked in our wake. Not knowing what we might pull from the dark depths has always kept me wondering and free spooling bait and lures to the bottom. My first choice to try for halibut was a glow-in-the-dark Zzinger. Rockfish mercilessly pestered this lure, which likely kept any nearby halibut from dining on my leaded treat. While jigging hopefully away, a nearby angler landed a decent sized 50-pound butt. With a fish box void of halibut, but full of filleting work for Mike, we headed in for a hot lunch.

I still wanted to spend more time exploring the area’s native pictographs and try my hand at crabbing. After lunch, Mike and Randy loaded the boat with crabbing gear – I loaded my cameras, still hoping to encounter another bathing bear. Our journey took us past pristine shorelines, steep cliffs, some bearing ancient pictographs and many plentiful crab beds. After setting the pots, we motored around, hoping to spot a wolf or grizzly bear. Guests often spot a variety of wildlife, but only when they take their eyes off their rods. I wouldn’t have traded the afternoon of crabbing for a dozen northern coho. The laid-back exploring provided a much needed and welcome break from solid, hard-core angling.

The morning of my last day brought rewards I’m still savoring at the dinner table. Mike found a vermilion rockfish hole with lots of hungry, near-record sized fish. The IGFA all-tackle record stands at 12 pounds – my largest of the day weighed nearly eleven. Catching a shallow water vermilion rockfish is like hooking onto a super-charged smallmouth bass of major proportions. Mike also drifted me into several lings, canary, blue, black and quillback rockfish. No matter where we jigged, big bottomfish followed. Not wanting to miss a tide change for salmon, Mike raced to Milbanke Sound, where the bite slowly started, but ended with another multi-teen spring, several double digit coho, pink salmon, sore arms and sunburned lips. Once again, the central coast’s charm, scenery and abundant sealife proved beyond a shadow of a doubt – I will return! Whiskey Point Fishing Charters provides accommodations for four at the lodge and up to six in their cozy seaside cabin. Guests may choose from a full service or alacarte package. Some guests opt for a B&B situation with a half day charter, {when available}.

Pacific Coastal Air flies guests daily from Vancouver to Bella Bella on nearby Campbell Island. Private planes may fly to the Bella Bella airport for multi-day stays or Denny Island’s private 3,000 foot, hard surfaced air strip. From the airport, a water taxi or one of Whiskey Point’s boats whisk guests to Whiskey Point on Denny Island. The trip from dock to dock takes only minutes. Full service, all inclusive packages include; return air from Vancouver, fishing license, fish packaging, lodging, meals and tackle. The Prices regularly remind guests to, “Bring your camera, warm clothes and be prepared for a good time.”

For more information contact Whiskey Point Fishing Charters at,

P.O. Box 47,
Bella Bella, B.C. V0T 1B0

or call them at, {604} 957-2723 Fax {604} 723-7673