(Not too far) North to Nootka! 2
It's not too often that a fishing fanatic like myself gets the opportunity to see the birth of a destination fishing resort. Add the fact that this destination is designed to be affordable, accessible, available to anglers with or without their own boats and it becomes a once-in-a-lifetime event!
When I heard that a group of local businessmen had teamed up to build a new land-based facility and expand a floating lodge, I couldn't wait to get up to Nootka on the west coast of Vancouver Island and have a look for myself.
The new Moutcha Bay Resort and it's floating counterpart The Nootka Sound Resort offer area fisherman a very real, economical and close to home opportunity to expand their salmon, halibut, lingcod, crab and shrimp seasons.
The west coast of Vancouver Island has long been revered as a hot bed of sportsfishing and the fiords of this island paradise are a dead ringer for southeast Alaska. For the angler on a budget Nootka is without question, Alaska at a discount!
One look at the new Moutcha Bay Resort Lodge under construction and you know that this is a first-class facility all the way!
The hand-carved main entrance elegantly and respectfully reflects the First Nations heritage of the Nootka Sound area.
From the balcony of the rooms you're treated to a view of Moutcha Bay which is home to loads of prawns, crab and salmon.
Wouldn't your boat look great here? The main resort dock is your gateway to the remainder of Nootka Sound and the floating lodge.
The floating Nootka Sound Resort is without question the most remarkable lodge that I have ever experienced!
From your room at the floating lodge, you're merely steps away from your boat…
…and barely minutes from some of the most productive, beautiful waters that you'll ever have the opportunity to experience!
Lingcod are almost automatic at many locations. This hungry ling inhaled a scampi jig when we were targeting halibut!
If multiple chinook hookups are your aim, then the "Highway" a few miles offshore will be your target area.
Mike Coombs of Outdoor Emporium mans the Brutus Line Hauler as we pull the prawn traps for the first time of the season.
Prawns? Oh, yeah… As fast as we could get these back to the lodge they found themselves in hot water and were the featured attraction at dinner!
If you're used to flying to Alaska for your destination angling, Nootka Marine Adventures will keep that airfare in your pocket.
Long drive time? Not really, it's an enjoyable drive across the border and a relaxing BC ferry ride from Twassen to Nanaimo. A scenic cruise north through historic Campbell River to Gold River then follows and if you bring your own boat you can launch right there. If you're staying at Moutcha Bay, you can drive there in the family car and begin your all-inclusive fishing trip/vacation immediately!
This summer, why not start a new fishing tradition in a brand new facility! Moutcha Bay Resort and the Nootka Sound Resort offer wilderness luxury on a budget. I don't know of any other location that can make that claim.
See you in Nootka this summer!
Tom Nelson
The Outdoor Line
710 ESPN Seattle
www.theoutdoorline.com
Tom, is The Outdoor Line putting together a trip to Nootka? I've heard you talk about it but don't see it on your site yet. Ready to sign up. Thanks.
Great post Nelly! Moutcha Bay is a fun place to fish. It was nice if you went out to the ocean and if it got nasty and rough, you could run back in and tuck in tight somewhere and still have great chances of picking up some nice fish! Looks awesome! Nothing better than fresh spot prawns!