BC Spearing Trip: Round Two!

[iceselkie]

Personally, I loved the fish, but I'm also up to see more seals.
I'd love to check out God's Pocket too, as well as Tahsis!
Here's what's up with me- there is a freediving course I'm keen to take June 2-5 in Vancouver. We want to try to get out there a few times this summer.

[laminar]

What about Campbell River? Colin, can you look into the fishing rules?

It would be nice and warm, the marine life kicks ass, and it's a launching point for many interesting boat and island dives. We can even swim by the Sunshine coast on the way home for those who are interested.

For those of us who only get a few months of summer weather a year it is a little disheartening to find yourself in a BC winter camping situation for a week. Telegraph was beautiful and marvelous, but it was pretty cold in and out of the water for a summertime trip.

I love diving without a suit in summer and Telegraph's conditions get in the way of that.

Pete

[jimdoe2you]

Originally Posted by Fondueset

...................After driving down to the campsite to put slugs on JimDoe's teeth while he was snoring...................

STOP IT, ........STOP IT, STOP IT, STOP IT!!!!

I had nightmares knowing those things were crawling all over my tent while I slept! I can handle all of natures most dangerous creatures like snakes, bats, Diane, and spiders, but 5" long little slithering pieces of zombified human intestine things don't make the cut.

(on the positive side, Chris did use the rare and elusive "Colgate Scruber Slugs" so now my teeth are whiter, my gums feel terrific, and my breath is minty fresh )

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[Fondueset]

Thanks Jim, We're also working on the 'beard-eater II' here in our secret northern genetic engineering labs. (We don't talk about beard-eater I - though the CIA has shown an interest) Imagine waking up each morning with a 'slug-slime-soft' shave! Doesn't get any better 'n that.

Laminar - warmer water eh? Now there is a novel idea! The cold did put a lid on a couple of my dives - particularly when I finally found the Ling Cod. I generally don't stay in too far past the point where I am shivering DURING breath-holds. But my new suit is also an order of magnitude warmer than my 5 mil. I've been diving every weekend here and the water is now around 3-4C, I still get cold but I like a slight chill.

For all-day diving - warmer would be nice. On the other hand - my logic in trying to get one of those cabins is that they are geared to multiple occupancy (kitchen too)- so if you didn't want to camp or wanted to take a night off from it you could stay there.

On a side note - on the last day when everyone else was gone Claire and I went for a dive. The sun was out and I don't know what was up with the water because Claire took two pairs of gloves - leaving me with a pair of 2 mil - and my hands were warm the whole time. You guys know that area and I'm down with anyplace you choose.

[Amphibious]

Pete, Campbell River is Region 13. so still within the ling/rockfish closure.

Effective October 1, 2006 until further notice, there is no fishing for lingcod or rockfish throughout the Strait of Georgia (Areas 13 to 19, 28 and 29).

what is this winter camping situation you speak up? I didn;t see -30 or anyone sleeping in a quincy in Telegraph cove

the Ucluelet or Torino area I have never dove, but is outside the closure. any thoughts? (i'm still keen for a return to TC)

[laminar]

really, everyone, I'm not a wuss....

too bad about the spearo closures. I was just imagining the following:

get up, have breakfast, go to the dive site, jump in without a suit to do 2-3 wonderful crisp dives (gets the dive response going good), then warm up in the sun and then do it again. Okay, now it's time for a real dive session. Suit up (already in the "zone") and find a beautiful wall full of fish for cameras and spears. The first dive is already among your all time best and you are warm as can be.

Anyway, I guess what I'm saying is that I am IN for Telegraph Part Deux (but Erik's gotta make it this time, even on a gurney - we'll have nurses for you, Erik ) but that I may organize a mini-trip to Campbell River, the Sunshine Coast, or Indian Arm before the trip officially starts for all those who want to arrive a little earlier and sample some BC summer conditions.

Pete

[Fondueset]

Keep us posted on all that - scrambling here. I'd be up for doing it during the trip as well.

Hey! Took my new suit out looking for Burbot today. I've seen exactly two live burbot ever - one very old one in lake michigan - and a six incher near the breakwall. I went out into a large area where there is a lot of old lumber from the lumber port days. Had to let out some line on my float as it was deeper than I usually dive - and I stumbled upon this guy! Very Large. Left the pictures pretty much alone - first test at iso100

[DeepRN]

Sweet burbot pics Chris!!! 2006 was my first year for finding the burbot too <highfive>

Pete: nice idea!

That sounds very tempting. Keep talking about this one... Aside from the decided trip location (more input below), iceselkie and I will be planning for 1-2 day'ers (hopefully with many other divers) at above mentioned locations. Indian Arm, Sechelt, Victoria area, Sunshine Coast, Tahsis. Keep the ideas flowing.

Spearing will likely include cooler water. Doesn't matter to me. The post-dive fireside feasting in great company warms the heart. So, i'm not going to do any fence-sitting here.

As with Eric/Brianna, God's pocket is a big draw for me. The thought of some north-water king crab is a big draw for me (i'll admit, that trap full of dungeoness and resulting feast was a big highlight last year). Perhaps we might find a few. Halibut are also known to be in/around God's pocket (pacific record anyone?) And, aside from the seafood, it's plain and simply one of the best dive locations in the world. We'd be foolish to be so close and NOT take the opportunity for a world-class dive in great company.

Haddington island is a sure-thing. Knowing this, we can better-plan for some fantistic West-Coast spearing footage (gotta promote!) And enjoy a cod feast afterward.

Also, as with Chris/Brianna, finding some enquisitive seals would be a memorable enounter. We could also put out a prawn trap or two for a couple of days.

for THIS trip, my vote:
Telegraph: - Day 1 - local diving/dining, while finalizing plans for a day trip to God's Pocket - Day 2 - Destination God's Pocket (feast following) - Day 3 - local diving/dining/picking up prawn traps, while finalizing plans for day boat-trip to Haddington/sites with larger sealife (seals, halibut etc) - Day 4 - Destination Haddington & Establishment of North Pacific Halibut Record - Day 5 - 'the celebration continues' - Day 6 - local diving & good-bye's

And, perhaps spend time at Sechelt (very popular) on way up, then cross to Campbell River, or Cross from the island at Campbell River, and spend time at Sechelt on way back down to Vancouver. The local dive shop raves about Sechelt, and from maps/photos, I'd have to say they're onto something...

http://www.globalairphotos.com/large...All/2005/076/2

http://www.tranquilitybay-bc.com/maptranquilitybay.html

All in all - ONE HELL OF A TRIP

[Amphibious]

I have aquired a pair of crab traps we can set overnight maybe just outside the bay behind the campsite. Mmmmmm crab

[Erik]

Sechelt/Egmont is excellent, with walls and lots of life.
Agreed about God's Pocket- it is stunning and has to be experienced. A trip over to Browning Pass is also worthwhile although I wouldn't hunt in the prime dive spots.

Erik

[Fondueset]

Hey Gabe, do you think maybe it's a spiritual thing - like 'Young Laughing-Marmot has found the burbot'? A living metaphor for having gotten in touch with our inner burbot. Should I grow a soul patch?

The truth is I was looking for burbot - but i had forgotten.

[DeepRN]

okay who am I kinding here... Indian Arm looks great too.

Some insight: You know, being at our west coast and owning a couple of ocean kayaks, with regular trips to warm-water destinations (recent edit: AND having a friend like Amphibious who can fly the 'copter you've chartered), would pretty much cover the best the the world has to offer for recreational freediving. And much of that is in our backyard. You can thoroughly enjoy many destinations, but you'd also enjoy that return home, to the lush underwater environment that is our canadian west coast. Beautiful.

Chris: "The truth is I was looking for the burbot - but I had forgotten" - Love this! I'm still contemplating the laughing marmot however... Iceselkie has contemplated adding a seal to her tatoo (very fitting) Perhaps it shall be a profoundly content creature, such as the burbot, that will be added to mine...

[laminar]

Okay, think back to one of our many cozy campfires. The radiating heat on your face. The splatter of the odd rain drop on the tarps. Our bellies stuffed with swamp donkey, crab and greenling curry. Laughter and tall tales.

My dear friends, in this circle of mirth and the good life, I wanted to tell you that I've quit my job at the university and have decided to devote my life to the pursuit of aquatic nirvana.

..meaning that wherever we decide to go and whatever we decide to do this time around, I'll be there for more than a a measely four days!

Question: What is the meaning of life, o master?
Answer: Burbot.



Pete

[Amphibious]

A burbot in neck weights?

Prances-with-neckweights, I shall be bringing my mono fin on this adventure, may I seak your guidance?

aquaticly,

Dances-with-Camels.

[jimdoe2you]

Chris,

Nice pics of the burbot! Today was my first day out with the new camera. ISO set on auto. These were taken 50' down at the remains of an old mine sweeper that has about eight goliath grouper on it. I snapped a few shots of the biggest ones which were about six feet long.



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