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Hakai Lodge
Hakai Lodge
Hakai Lodge is located at Hakai Pass, approximately 496 kms (308 mi) north from Vancouver.
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Hakai Lodge
Hakai Lodge
Father-son (and -daughter) packages are popular at the lodge.
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Hakai Lodge
Hakai Lodge
Guests learn the fundamentals of salmon fishing through orientations from expert staff.
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Hakai Lodge
Hakai Lodge
The average weight of the chinook salmon is approximately 13.6 kilograms (30 lbs).
By Steve Fennell, photos courtesy of Hakai Lodge
Hakai Lodge has been in operation since the early 1970s, and has greatly expanded over the years to become one of the longest standing go-to fishing lodges on the B.C. coast. One thing that hasn’t changed, however, is the action-packed fishing grounds that keep anglers coming back for more every season.
Located at Hakai Pass, approximately 496 kilometres (308 miles) north from Vancouver, B.C. and 160 kilometres (100 miles) northwest of Port Hardy on Vancouver Island, the lodge is accessible only by plane from three convenient locations: Vancouver, Seattle, or Port Hardy.
“One of the biggest draws for guests is our father-and-son (or -daughter) packages. We are also popular for family group trips,” said Clyde Carlson, owner of Hakai Lodge . “It’s great to see how much they enjoy themselves, and the kids now return with their children and families. It’s a tremendous experience.”
During your journey here, you’ll fly over lush forests, uninhabited islands, white sand beaches, and sparkling water where trophy chinook and coho salmon – as well as halibut, lingcod, and Pacific yelloweye rockfish – lurk below the surface. The B.C. coast offers some of the best fishing on the planet, and the lodge’s fishing season from July to September is a true testament to this.
“The average weight of chinook salmon caught here is about 13.6 kilograms (30 pounds), and the average weight for coho is 7.3 kilograms (16 pounds),” said Carlson. “One of the great things we teach our guests is about the area, its history and most of all, we teach them all about its salmon fishing with our expert team. Once they have the skill down, they go out on their own and create their own experiences.”
Each of the lodge’s fleet of Boston Whaler Montauks – powered by 30- or 40-hp Yamaha four-strokes – comes with rod holders, 2.4- to 3.4-metre ( eight- to 11-foot) mooching rods, levelwind or single-action saltwater reels, insulated bait boxes, and tackle. Orientations are also provided, and guides are available.
When it comes to dining, you won’t be let down. A professional chef and baker prepare all the menu items for lunch and breakfast, while dinner features hearty, made-to order, full-course meals.
There’s no doubt you’ll also appreciate the series of accommodations, which consist of upgraded guest cabins with a rustic appeal, just steps from the water’s edge. Spacious and comfortable, the fully-furnished cabins accommodate groups from two to 12, making them ideal for entertaining or relaxing with friends or family after a day on the water.
“Over the last seven years, we have invested more than $1,000,000 of improvements into the lodge,” said Carlson. “We refurbish all of the existing boats and motors, and upgrade our professional fishing gear every year. We also did major improvements to the commercial kitchen, as well as to the guest cabins. Guests here can pretty much enjoy the best of what we offer.”
For all the details, call Hakai Lodge at 1-800-538-3551, or visit them at www.hakai-lodge.com.