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The Mayor and Council elected for the 2014-2018 term are Mayor Dianne St. Jacques and Councillors Sally Mole, Randy Oliwa, Marilyn McEwen, and Mayco Noel.
About The Author:
Salty Dog Fishing Charters is a local, family owned and operated business in Ucluelet, BC. Incorporated in 2013, father and son-in-law duo, Jack Arentsen and Justin Janisse, have established a successful fishing business focusing on families and showcasing the West Coast fishing culture. With over 45 years of combined fishing experience in the Barkley Sound, Salty Dog Fishing Charters not only focuses on sport fishing trips but also helps provide specimen for the Ucluelet Aquarium.
The Barkley Sound, located between Ucluelet and Bamfield, boasts some of the best saltwater fishing in the Pacific Northwest. (We aren’t just saying that.. its true!) According to the Department of Fisheries and Oceans' landed catch statistics, Ucluelet is the largest port in Canada for landed groundfish such as Cod, Flounder, Halibut and Sole.
The Barkley Sound is just a quick 30-minute boat ride from Ucluelet. In the middle of the Barkley Sound sits the Broken Group Islands, a unit of the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve. Its sheltered waters create the perfect escape from the open ocean’s big swell.
Commercial, aboriginal and recreational fishing vessels can be found fishing in the Barkley Sound. The summer season of May to September is considered prime time for sports fishing on the west coast of Vancouver Island. The winter season of November to April offers much more than just fishing, but an entire west coast seafood harvesting experience.
Many species of fish can be caught in these waters. Salmon (Chinook, Chum, Coho) & Halibut are the two most desired fish of the bunch, however Lingcod, Rockfish, Crab and of course Prawns can also be caught in the area, not to mention the clams and oysters that can be harvested along the shorelines and on some of the islands.
The Alberni Inlet, located on the east side of the Barkley Sound, is home to Vancouver Island’s largest salmon run, numbering well over ONE MILLION fish annually. Migrating Coho and Chinook pass through the Barkley Sound on their way up the Alberni Inlet in the summer each year. This gives us a great opportunity to catch large 30lb+ salmon in July, August & September.
Hiring a fishing charter is a great way to experience fishing on the West Coast. Whether it is a full day or a half-day, in the Barkley Sound or offshore, it will be a great experience for the whole family.
All anglers must have a licence to go fishing. Many fishing destinations do not have a location to buy licences in person, making it best to acquire your licence online before you head out. You will be able to select either a full year or a daily licence. You can purchase one online by using the following web link.https://www-ops2.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/nrls-sndpp/index-eng.cfm
Come partake in some of the best fishing in the world! For those of you who get seasick – we have some pretty amazing Fish ‘n Chips for you to enjoy in Ucluelet too!