Rivers Inlet British Columbia,

Big fish notwithstanding, Rivers Inlet has a history unlike few other fisheries in North America. Not only do you stand to catch a trophy salmon that weighs upwards of 50 pounds, but Rivers Inlet was the first place on the Central Coast of British Columbia to have a cannery built on it's shores.  And that is exactly where Good Hope Cannery has sat the past 150 years.

Today, Good Hope is a walk back in time. The original structure remains with some modern updates, of course. The facility was purchased with the intent to keep the original cannery equipment and display it so guests can take in the history of RIvers Inlet. It's truly a walk back in time.

The new owner also made sure the fishing experience remained first rate. And then some. Good Hope purchased new Ironwood boats complete with T-Tops. Self-guided boats are 20-ft Ironwoods with 90 horsepower Yamaha and each boat is equipped with GPS. Guide boats are 25-ft Ironwoods with a little more get up and go. Fishing tackle includes an Islander reel on every custom-wrapped rod. Guests fish with the best rain wear, boots and inflatable PFD's. It's complete with a full service bar and a games room on site for the kid's. (Yes, the place is kid friendly).

And don't forget about the fishing. Being located in the middle of Rivers Inlet is key. You can run to the head of RIvers Inlet, or to the mouth where you can fish the lower inlet or in the ocean and still be back at the lodge for lunch without missing a beat. And the meals are a s good as you'll find. So is the service. With a staff of 30 and a maximum number of 36 guests per week, its not unrealistic to think your every need will be met. And what makes it even that much more attractive is it doesn't cost more to fish here than other lodges. Good Hope is looking at the investment as long term knowing quality will outlast and impress even the most discerning guest.

There's no reason to think otherwise. 

Pat Hoglund
Traveling Angler / Salmon and Steelhead Journal

Help is often needed with big fish....

We’re speaking with hereditary Chief of the Wuikinuxv (Owikeeno) and Good Hope Cannery lodge manager, Ted Walkus about the value of Wannock Chinook salmon and further development of a catch and release sport fishery.

Q: Ted – What are your thoughts about sport fishing within Rivers Inlet? “My whole life I’ve been interested in the marine environment and I’ve been sport fishing for close to 30 years.  We’ve enjoyed an abundance of fish within this region and Angler’s continue to come and go boasting of legendary catches.  These days, we’re seeing good returns of Chinook salmon and these must be maintained. Opportunities similar to Rivers Inlet’s Trophy Area are rare.”

Q: Ted – What about Catch and Release fishing?  “First I should clarify something -  there are generous limits in place for those who would like to retain Salmon. Coho, Pink, Chum are all available and Chinook may also be retained.  Should someone wish to keep a Trophy they're certainly allowed to.! The catch and release of larger Chinook returning to Rivers Inlet is appreciated as we’re trying desperately to maintain the genetic diversity and gene pool of these fish.  We’re also trying to maintain the opportunity for Angler’s to experience them. By releasing a trophy fish, Anglers can do their part in maintaining these values”.

Q: Ted –Are there issues with survival?  “Sure, these fish do become stressed an there are ways of minimizing this. I’m not an advocate for light line angling or the use of fly rods for Wannock Chinook. It’s important to respect these fish and handle them with the utmost care – not exhaust them beyond reason. You need the right equipment – heavier than most areas. Years ago we’d see Anglers netting fish, holding them up and taking pictures for an extended period. I’d like to see them looked after a little better. We suggest keeping the fish out of any landing net as this practice can wipe the protective slime off the fish and from my understanding this is a protective layer – part of the immune system. We also suggest holding the fish close to the water for photographs and prefer not to lift it entirely out of the water. Reel it in, do a quick measurement for size verification, get the hooks out. let it go and start bragging! The exhaustion of the fish can also be an issue. We like to ensure it ‘kicks’ out of our grasp and often this takes a little while to accomplish. Holding the fish loosely by the tail wrist and pumping back and forth in the water improves oxygen flow and recovery. 

Q: Ted – What about tackle you mentioned earlier? “We’re fishing 10-20 feet deep and heavy weights, attractors and downriggers aren’t necessary.  We recommend using 30lb mainline, 40lb leaders, 4/0 barbless hooks and heavy ‘mooching’ style rods. It’s ideal to use sliding weights capable of sinking off the line when a fish breaks off. 

Q: Ted – What do you envision further assisting Rivers Inlet / Wannock River Chinook? “I see education, awareness, research, angler participation and science based enhancement work being critical. As anglers, we can be sharing and celebrating these fish worldwide and helping to raise funds for research. I understand age class and male to female ratios play a role in annual escapements. Could anglers help establish this base information by collecting DNA samples for analysis by our Department of Fisheries and Oceans?  Funding will always be an issue and Good Hope Cannery guests donate directly through our booking process. This funding effort is greatly appreciated. 

Q: Ted – What about the community?  “The Wuikinuxv want to be involved in every aspect of our territory and our annual participation in enhancement work is a meaningful event. Jobs related to fish are important to us also. We’ve been here for thousands of years and are part of the environment. It’s critical these fish keep coming back”.

Tight Lines  The Good Hope Team

For many Anglers particularly those who are fishing for the first time, the catching and keeping of a fish is a milestone in their lives.

It's something to brag about - something to show and is the direct result of many hours spent on the water; testing, trying and finally having success! 

Those of us who have had the chance to catch a Rivers Inlet “Wannock Chinook” – you’ve surely been impressed with the power, will and determination these fish have. For an Angler to bring one to the boat is no easy feat much less being the person trying to land it in the net!

We at Good Hope certainly appreciate the opportunity to experience these wonderful creatures.  Rivers Inlet Chinook are  different from every other Chinook on the coast. They’re a natural phenomenon we believe has to be celebrated and regardless if they on the line or in the boat.  

Two places on the entire coast of British Columbia produce fish like these and often topping 70 and 80 pounds – the Kalum River; a tributary of the Skeena River and the Wannock River – Rivers Inlet.  Many people have witnessed the incredible average size of these special fish and believe they’re simply more ferocious feeders - this is partly true. Size is actually the result of being older; more genetically resilient fish.  Living 4-7 years compared to more usual 3-4 year Chinook from other river systems.

Given this distinction, Good Hope Cannery encourages our guests who are fishing in the Rivers Inlet Trophy Area *  at the head of Rivers Inlet to make a choice and for the benefit of these fish.  If you’ve caught and kept a Wannock Chinook during your lifetime, chances are it’s the largest Chinook you’ve ever taken and your “Trophy". Consider enjoying Rivers Inlet as a whole, the thrill of experiencing these magical fish and if possible – (pending exhaustion rate and condition) releasing your catch within the Trophy area.

Ted Walkus, Good Hope Cannery Manager also works on the Wannock River enhancement program and has seen first-hand the high survivability of these fish after being released.  “Many fish have survived their experience with anglers – whether intentional or not! I can tell you there would have been some broken hearts and tall tales from the BIG ones I know have gotten away!” “With the short period of time these fish have to get in the river – it’s not expected hooks will rust out. We can tell by small hook marks if they’ve been caught before and sometimes hooks are still intact – evidently not affecting the fish or its primary interest”. We all know what that is!

The opportunity to fish Rivers Inlet is a privilege we share and through conservation, education and a little help from Mother Nature – we’ll continue to experience these fish for decades.

Rivers inlet provides several fishing opportunities including those on the outside waters – targeting multiple runs and species migrating down the coast of BC. Coho, Pink, Chum and Ocean Brite Chinook are all available in these waters and with generous limits in place.

*Trophy area-  the inside waters of Rivers Inlet extending from Stone point towards the fishing boundaries at the head of Rivers Inlet.

Look for more updates on Rivers Inlet and Catch and Release opportunities in the near future!

Tight Lines,

The Good Hope Team

 
In recent months we've been speaking to many Angler's who are considering their first trip into Rivers Inlet.  
For some, this trip represents an absolute trip of a lifetime experience. For others this is the only location they fish and they ensure they're here each and every season.
Rivers Inlet is, of course, where anglers' dreams have come true for decades. With fish topping 70 pounds each season with Good Hope Cannery,  Rivers Inlet is the place where you will find the very largest of salmon: The Wannock River Chinook.

One of the most common questions we're asked is: What size of bait must you use to catch a 50 - 70 pound fish?
At Good Hope, you'll find only the very best herring bait of 8-10 inches - caught and packaged by Rhys Davis and North King bait companies. Your fishing time is priceless and we won't let you spend an unproductive minute on the water.

Truth be told, most salmon are voracious feeders during their lives but at the time these fish enter Rivers Inlet they begin a change - no longer feeding for the usual reasons. Common belief is that it's the scent of fresh water from nearby natal streams and their proverbial internal clock telling them to prepare for 'river life'. They begin feeding out of instinct rather than hunger. Often only the most perfect bait - fished at the exact depth will tempt them.
We asked long time angler and Good Hope Cannery fishing guide Dwayne Walkus about the importance of bait presentation. 
"You have to make every minute, every second count - and this isn't something new with these fish". When we're fishing Rivers Inlets' Trophy Area (the "Head") we watch anglers who are fishing on their own and with other lodges who are simply lost - they don't have the quality instruction on how to fish effectively. When you come to Rivers Inlet and have big fish at stake - you can't be fooling around and we won't let you make these mistakes".
"Going too fast, weeds on the line, crossing tide and fishing way, way, too far out in the ozone - are all common issues. One needs to pay attention to every detail - exactly how your hooks are placed in the bait, with a prominent, fixed position for each, a clean 'polished' looking bait, the right leader lengths and of course the right depths are all critical. So very critical to success". 

Most anglers choose to fish a cut plug style herring bait within Rivers Inlet. It's easy to present and the slow moving 'mooching' style with 4-8oz weights, a 6 ft leader and 5/0 tandem hooks has been common for many years. Cut plug refers to the cutting off of the herring bait's head on two angles - and forcing the bait to spin on an axis directly behind and in line with the weight.  There are many, many different way of rigging baits - all to an angler's personal choice. For the most part, a bait with a nice slow flopping roll with one rotation every second works best. Erratic or 'mechanical' looking rolls are often referred to as 'helicopters' and these are the least productive for big Chinook. Make sure your bait rolls with natural movement and often an unnatural presentation can be fixed with the placement and changing of the towing hook's position. Move it from side to side, bend the bait and even try a different cut angle for success. 

All told, the very best baits mean nothing if you're sitting at the dock! Stay on the water - make it pay. Keep your baits a rollin' and look forward to our next post when we speak with Good Hope Cannery's Lodge Manager and host Ted Walkus and get his tips for success in landing and releasing those fish over 50lbs! 

Tight Lines

The Good Hope Team

We're looking forward to another great year of adventure and fishing in Rivers Inlet and with Good Hope Cannery guests!

Over the winter we've been communicating with many Angler's who have been asking about Rivers Inlet, our lodge and fishing program. The word seems to be getting out and indicating Good Hope Cannery is the preferred lodge within Rivers Inlet and BC's Central Coast. Given our strategic location, transportation logistics and quality of equipment and service, we're clearly ahead of the curve in sport fishing adventures and delighted to provide this value to our guests. 

Unfortunately, we haven't the space to accommodate all of those groups wishing to change lodges this year and select dates for couples and small groups are still available. For those of you we've met at the sport shows and who have called requesting space and inquiring about our lodge, we look forward to communicating again and seeing you on the water. Please do stay in touch and if you ever have questions we're here for you. Also, please feel free to stop by and visit while you're in the area. We'll be pleased to show you the Good Hope difference and compare equipment provided.

What has been consistent is the absolute joy expressed by those who have fished Rivers Inlet. They speak of towering mountains, calm waters, whales, wildlife, BIG Chinook/King salmon and an abundance of Coho/Silver particularly later in August. These aside, the main reason for their desire to return, whether with Good Hope Cannery or other lodges in the inlet, is those special times shared with family, friends, and new acquaintances. 

Times have been tough and the value our guests place on quality time with family and friends is simply overwhelming. And this is why we want to make the absolute best trip possible, for you and so the the experience is seamless - without interruption. 

For those of you who have confirmed your trip and require additional information please give us a call - or send us a note by email! Also, for those who we haven't had space for, all trips currently held without deposit applied will be open March 1st.  Your favorite date may just become available! 

Tight Lines!

The Good Hope Team