I have a group of 8 that want to go up to Nootka Sound in May or June. We will need a charter and accomidations for our trip. Anyone have expereince with Canadian Princess (www.canadianprincess.com) or other outfits to fit our needs.

This is bachelor party for a friend and we would like to all fish together (on the same boat) if possible.

Any ideas, experiences (not bachelor party) or recommendations are appreciated.

canadian princess is on Barkley sound (south of Nootka). It is an Oak Bay Marine Operation that runs off a ship that is docked in the harbor of Uclulet. The boats are big enough to handle your group on 1 boat. If you stay with the package deal stay in the rooms on the shore, the rooms on the Princess are pretty small (little beds, shared shower and toilet).

The only time I went with them was an early season special in early May. When you arrive you must choose if you wish to target bottemfish, halibut or salmon. I choose halibut for the first day. The weather was alittle windy and rainy that day with a some chop. We took about an hour to reach the grounds, they only let us use thier gear which was a mooching rod with a level wind. The only terminal gear was 3oz white and green point wilson ( or simular ) darts. The current and wind would not allow you to get to the bottom. I asked about getting some heavier gear and the deck hand said they didn't have anything heavier. I asked how they thought we were going to catch any halibut without getting to the bottom and he said don't worry, it was too rough to get to the usual halibut areas and that we probably wouldn't catch any halibut here anyway. Needless to say we got back to port early with no halibut, 2 lings, 1 8lb king for 10 or so people. I was not very happy and let them know. The other halibut boat was skunked (no fish at all) and the 2 salmon boats came home with 3 fish, all 8 to 10lbs. The bottom fish boats did well with limits of fish including some nice lings and canary rock fish and some big black bass.
I went out the next day on a bottom fishing trip and had good success, a limit with one nice ling.

I have not been back and don't plan on it. If you are set on that area check out weigh west in Tofino. Bob can set you up with a great package, you fish 2 or 3 to a boat and the food is fantastic (make sure to order plenty of appitizers and deserts with your meal, they are included). We went there 2 years ago with 3 guys, last year it was 6 guys and this year it is 9 guys. We have always caught fish, ate too much and done our share of indulging at the pub and all in all had a great time.

baddawg:

Thanks for the report. This is the kind of info I was looking for.

It's too early for a sure bet in that area unless you specifically target butts.