FAQ

What is not included in our all-inclusive packages?

Taxes, fishing licenses, gratuities, room incidentals, lodge charges (ie. Phone, wine cellar, specialty liquor) and custom processing of your fish are not included in your trip purchase price. Hard alcohol is included at the Clubhouse and Outpost but not at North Island lodge. North Island lodge has certain brands for purchase at the lodge. 

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, which is located approximately 5 minutes by car from the main international YVR airport. You must be at the South Terminal at 6:15 a.m. on the morning of check in for Clubhouse departures and 7:15 a.m. for North Island Lodge and Outpost departures. For most of our guests this necessitates an overnight stay in Vancouver the night prior to your departure.

Can you recommend some hotels for me to stay at before and after my trip?

Our hotel partners are the Rosewood Hotel Georgia, located in downtown Vancouver, the Fairmont Vancouver Airport Hotel and Delta Vancouver Airport Hotel located near the departure terminal in Richmond. Please visit the Hotel Information section of our Guest Services section for contact info and other local Vancouver suggestions.

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, as this allows 3 hours for unforeseeable delays.

Are there shuttles to and from the hotels and the airport?

The Fairmont Vancouver Airport Hotel and the Delta Vancouver Airport Hotel each provide shuttles to and from the South Terminal as do most hotels in Richmond. As shuttle service between the two airports can be sporadic, there are plenty of taxis available for the $15 ride. Please talk to your Client Services representative about limo or van services for larger groups.

What identification do I need when entering Canada?

When entering Canada by any means of transportation you are required by law to have your passport. Upon checking into the West Coast Fishing Club check in desk we require you to have photo ID to board our plane.

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.

What sort of weather should I expect?

Haida Gwaii is 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 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. Please bring a warm sweater to wear under your rain gear while fishing. Your belongings should fit in one 25 pound soft-sided bag and luggage is strongly enforced due to limited space on fixed wing and helicopters. We ask for your assistance in making sure you adhere to our weight restrictions. As your luggage does not always arrive on the same helicopter you do, please pack your fishing clothes in your carryon bag to ensure you can get out on the water as soon as you arrive at 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 and a toque are also advisable. Please note our new waterproof rain gear is not as warm as our bulky floater suits, please bring a warm sweater or sweatshirt for under your fishing gear. 

How long is the travel time to the lodge?

Barring unforeseen weather or mechanical delays you should arrive at the Clubhouse lodge anytime after 10:00 a.m. and anytime after 11 a.m at North Island Lodge and the Outpost. This 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 Dash 8 aircraft. You will then be transported to the lodge via S76 helicopters.

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.

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 Clubhouse has wireless internet in the ocean view rooms and in the business center.  The Outpost does not have email or internet services though does have a satellite phone which guests can use with phone cards purchased in the gift shop. 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 which can be settled upon checkout. If you'd prefer, you can now buy your license online from Fisheries and Oceans Canada at www-ops2.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/nrls-sndpp/index-eng.cfm 

Are there any options for fish processing?

Our package includes the cleaning, packaging, vacuum packing, and flash freezing of your fish for taking home. Should you wish to consider specialty 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.

How much fish can I bring home?

Due to limited space on our plans, we ask that you limit your home fresh fish and bags to a total of 72 lbs per/person. 

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.

Where can I store my fish after my trip if I am staying longer in Vancouver?

Each of our partnering hotels the Rosewood Hotel Georgia, Fairmont Vancouver Airport and Delta 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 normally fully booked each trip and last minute availabilities for alternate rooms and additional guides are rare. Your Client Services representative will be happy to book guides and request rooms for you at the time of booking, ensuring you get the exact package you require.

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. Our North Island Lodge self guided packages include one day of coaching complimentary. A guide will go out with you, familiarize you with the fishing grounds and share some tips and techniques. If you are fishing self-guided we require that you have a pleasure craft operators card and you must undergo a quick safety checklist before the trip begins.  

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 7PM in order to allow for enough time to locate boats before dark.

I am a self guided guest, do I require any type of license to operate the boat?

Yes, as of September 9, 2009, all self guided guests are required by law to have their Pleasure Craft Operators Card on them while on the water. If you do not have this card please go to www.betterboating.ca to take the exam. The exam can be studied for and written online. If you are not able to do this prior to arriving at the lodge you will need to fill out the form upon your arrival.

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.

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 dining can I expect?

Our culinary services have been likened to "a Four Seasons in the wilderness". You will enjoy a world class culinary experience at each sitting. Trained at some of the best culinary schools in the world, our executive chefs offers gourmet creations each day of your trip featuring a variety of local BC seafood, premium meats as well as specialty and organic produce much of which is produced in the Haida Gwaii. Snacks around the lodge are always plentiful and should you not wish to come in for lunch each day you can arrange to have your lunch delivered to you on the water and we will always do our best to accommodate any special dietary requests. Please be sure to notify our Client Services team of any allergies before your trip begins.