Frequently Asked Questions
What is not included in our all-inclusive packages?
Taxes, fishing license, gratuities, room incidentals, lodge charges (ie. phone) and custom processing of your fish are not included in your trip purchase price. Hard alcohol is not included at the Outpost or at North Island lodge, but is included at the Clubhouse.
Do you have an age limit for children?
We like to recommend that children be 12 years and older before their first visit to our lodges. However, we understand all children are different and your client services representative would be happy to discuss your particular situation with you.
Where do we depart and arrive from and when do I need to be there?
Your trip begins and ends at Vancouver’s South terminal airport; an annex of the main international YVR airport. You must be at the South terminal at 6:00 a.m. on the start date of your trip. For most of our guests this necessitates an overnight stay in Vancouver the night prior to your departure.
Can I schedule a flight home on the day we return to Vancouver?
If you must schedule a flight home on the end date of your trip, we recommend you make it for 6:00 p.m. or later, that allows 3 hours for unforeseeable delays.
Can you recommend some hotels for me to stay at before and after my trip?
Our hotel partners are the Delta Vancouver Airport hotel and the Fairmont Vancouver Airport. Check ‘WCFC preferred hotels’ in the guest services section of this website for contact info and other local Vancouver suggestions.
Are there shuttles to and from the hotels and the airport?
Most hotels in Richmond provide shuttle service between their properties and both airports. Shuttle service between the two airports is sporadic, but there are plenty of taxis available for the $12 ride. Talk to your client services representative about larger groups for limo or van services.
What identification do I need when entering Canada?
If you are crossing a border by air, you must have a passport. If crossing by other than air, you must have photo ID plus one piece of ID that verifies citizenship (ie. birth certificate). Check ‘Passport Information’ in the guest services section.
How often are the website fishing reports updated?
We make every effort to update our fishing reports once per week; with the most current information we receive from our lodge managers via our satellite systems.
What sort of weather should I expect?
The Queen Charlotte Islands are a beautiful temperate rainforest, with average annual rainfall of 70 to 170 inches. It rains practically every day, so that means ¼” to ½” can fall every 24 hours. Average temperatures during the fishing season range from 50° to 70° F.
What should I bring?
Your personal toiletries plus medications that should be carried on, not packed in checked luggage. A camera and/or video camera plus any required spare batteries. Sunglasses, sunscreen and bathing suit for the hot tub. Warm clothing in various weights, suitable for layering. Your belongings should fit in one 25 pound soft-sided bag.
Are there hairdryers in the rooms?
The Clubhouse has hairdryers in each guest room and the Outpost and North Island lodge housekeeping staff have loaner hairdryers for guest use.
How long can I travel with my frozen fish?
Your fish has been blast frozen and should easily endure your return day’s worth of travel. If you are overnighting in Vancouver at the end of your trip, make sure you ask the hotel to store your catch in their freezer until you leave.
What communications services are available at the lodge?
North Island Lodge and the Clubhouse have newer satellite phone systems that you can purchase phone cards for in both lodge’s gift shops. The Clubhouse and North Island Lodge guests can also access email and internet from a common computer. The Outpost has an older system that is on the honour system and minutes are charged to guests at $3.00 per minute and does not have email or internet services. Please note that cellular phones do not work at any of our properties.
Do I need a fishing license and where can I purchase one?
Salt water fishing licenses are available for sale upon check-in at our counter in the South terminal airport. License charges will be added to your room tab that can be settled upon checkout. If you’d prefer, you can now buy your license online from Fisheries and Oceans Canada at www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/recfish.
Are there any options for fish processing?
We can forward your fish to various processors for smoking, canning, portioning and any other forms you may desire. Our two processors of choice; St. Jean’s Cannery and Seapak QCI are listed on the ‘fish processing’ link in our website’s guest services section.
Where can I store my fish after my trip if I am staying longer in Vancouver?
Both our partner hotels the Delta Vancouver Airport and the Fairmont Vancouver Airport have large freezers exclusively reserved for angling guests’ fish.
Can I upgrade my package once I get there?
While we will make every attempt possible to upgrade your package upon arrival, we are usually close to 100% full each trip and last minute availabilities for alternate rooms and additional guides are slim. Your guest services representative will be happy to book guides and request rooms for you at the time of booking, ensuring your best chance of getting exactly what you are looking for.
How long is the travel time to the lodge?
Barring unforeseen weather or mechanical delays you should arrive at the lodge anytime after 10:00 a.m. on arrival day. That allows two hours from Vancouver to Masset and one hour for transfer and travel from Masset to the lodge.
What sort of charter aircraft do you use?
Air transportation from Vancouver to Masset is by either Dash 7 or 8 and/or Beechcraft 1900. Then a Eurocopter A-Star or Bell 212 from Masset to the lodge.
What do you wear underneath your raingear?
Most guest prefer comfortable layers; long underwear or sweatpants, long sleeved t-shirt or turtleneck plus a fleece or sweater. Warm, thick, comfortable socks are also advisable.
What if I’ve never fished before?
We recommend our guided package for truly novice anglers. The guides will teach you everything you need/want to know and you’ll come home a better fisherman. Our self-guided trips are suitable for guests with boat handling and saltwater fishing experience.
What are some of the activities at the lodges other than fishing?
Our guides are excellent tour and nature guides and will gladly take you on sightseeing and wildlife cruises. Our Clubhouse features a workout room, two jacuzzi hot tubs, steam room and on-site masseuse. The Outpost has a hot tub, sea kayaks and an inflatable boat to put guests ashore for excursions.
How many hours can I spend on the water?
If you’ve purchased a guided package, it entitles you to 10 hours per day on the water; typically 7 am to 12 noon and 2 pm to 7 pm. Our self-guided guests may fish from first light to dusk and as the daylight hours in the Queen Charlottes changes, so do the start and end times for the self-guided fishing day.
Do you have a tipping guideline and is it safe to bring cash to the lodge?
Our guideline recommends $40 per guest per day for shore staff and $50 per guest per day for guide gratuities. You are welcome to bring cash and we have a safe for our guests who require. You can also add gratuities to your room charges at the end of your trip and pay by credit card.
What sort of food can I expect?
Our culinary services have been likened to ‘a Four Seasons in the woods’. Food is excellent, plentiful and snacks and between meal treats are always available. You can arrange to have your lunch delivered to you on the water and we will always try to accommodate any special dietary requests.
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