FAQs

General Information:

• What is not included in our all-inclusive packages?

  Taxes, fishing licenses, gratuities, room incidentals, lodge charges (ie. phone, wine cellar, specialty liquor, beer on boats) and custom processing of your fish are not included in your trip purchase price. Hard alcohol is included at The Clubhouse and The Outpost.

• 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 properties. However, we understand all children are different and your Client Services Representative would be happy to discuss your particular situation with you.

• 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 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. For self-guided packages, our Dock Staff will be happy to review all the equipment with you prior to heading out on the water to 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.

Hotel Information:

• 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 located near the departure terminal in Richmond, and Marriott Vancouver Airport Hotel and Sheraton Vancouver Airport - both located a short distance from the Main and South YVR terminals. Please visit the Before You Go section of our Guest Services section for contact info and other local Vancouver suggestions.

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

  The Fairmont Vancouver Airport Hotel, Sheraton Vancouver Airport, and Marriott Vancouver Airport Hotel each provide shuttles to and from the South Terminal as do most hotels in Richmond. The Rosewood Hotel Georgia is located in Downtown Vancouver and offers a complimentary shuttle to groups of 10 guests or more to and from the South Terminal. There is also a complimentary shuttle service operating between the Main and South YVR terminals. Please talk to your Client Services Representative about limo or van services for larger groups that we can easily organize for you.

Trip Information:

• Where do we depart and arrive from and when do I need to be there?

  Your trip begins at the South Terminal YVR (4440 Cowley Crescent, Richmond, BC V7B 1W4), which is located approximately 10 minutes by car from the main international YVR Airport. You must be at the South Terminal YVR at 7:30 AM on the morning of check in for The Clubhouse & The Outpost departures. For most of our guests this requires an overnight stay in Vancouver the night prior to your departure. Please let us know if you would like us to arrange this for you.

• What time is check-in?

  Check-in for The Clubhouse and The Outpost is Thursdays and Sundays at 7:30 AM.

• What time should I schedule my flight home?

  Return time to Vancouver is scheduled for 3:00 PM. Please allow for any connecting flights to be made after 5:30 PM for domestic flights and 6:30 PM for international flights to allow for any weather delays.

• How long is the travel time to the lodge?

  Barring unforeseen weather or mechanical delays you should arrive at The Clubhouse or The Outpost lodges anytime after 11 AM. 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 an Avro RJ 85 aircraft. You will then be transported to the lodge via S76 helicopters.

• 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 or pack?

  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, bathing suit for the hot tub and 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 carry-on bag to ensure you can get out on the water as soon as you arrive at the lodge.

• What do you wear underneath your rain gear?

  Most guests 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 so please bring a warm sweater or sweatshirt for under your fishing gear.

• Are there hairdryers in the rooms?

  The Clubhouse has hairdryers in each guest room and The Outpost housekeeping staff have loaner hairdryers for guest use.

• What fitness equipment and spa facilities are available at The Clubhouse?

  The Clubhouse gym has all the work out equipment you will need to burn off any excess energy after a long day out on the water including a spin bike, tread mill and free weights. The spa facilities are complete with a sauna, steam room, 2 hot tubs, and massage room with a full time Masseuse on staff.

• 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 offer 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 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 on your Client Information Form.

Internet & Communication Information:

• Do cell phones work at the lodge?

  Cell phones do not work at our lodges, but our guests can purchase calling cards for out satellite phones in the gift shop.

• Is there WIFI?

  Our Outpost lodge has WIFI, but it can be limited at times due to weather. The Clubhouse has access to WIFI in our rooms and business centres but is also subject to weather.

Trip Package Information:

• 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 to ensure you get the exact package you require.

• 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 6:30AM to 7PM in order to allow for enough time to locate boats before dark.

• 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. The Clubhouse features a workout room, two Jacuzzi hot tubs, steam room and on-site masseuse. The Outpost has a hot tub and sea kayaks to explore around the island in.

• Do you have a tipping guideline and is it safe to bring cash to the lodge?

  Gratuities are a reflection of how you have enjoyed your trip with The West Coast Fishing Club. Over the last few years, the gratuity for a guide has ranged from $70 to $100 per guest per day. The gratuity for the shore staff has ranged from $55 to $75 per guest per day. 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.

Licenses & Fish Processing:

• Do I need a fishing license and where can I purchase one?

  After completing your CIF form we will provide you with a link to the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) Tidal Fishing License page. DFO has made changes to the way licenses are issued within Canada. To streamline your experience the morning of check-in we strongly recommend you complete your saltwater fishing licenses online before your trip. To find the online form, click here. We suggest the 5 day or Annual option depending on your requirements. * Group Licenses: If you have made a group reservation and would prefer for WCFC to complete your guest's licenses in advance please just let us know and we will be pleased to assist.

• 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 are a Canadian citizen and do not have this card please go to http://www.boatsmartexam.com/en/takeTheExamNow_New.cfm to take the exam. The exam can be studied for and written online. If you are not able to do this prior to arrival, or are a non-Canadian citizen, you will need to go through a 15 minute orientation that includes a rental boat checklist upon arrival at the lodge prior to fishing.

• 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 St Jeans Cannery for smoking, canning, portioning and any other forms you may desire. Click here to see our Fish Processing Options.

After Your Trip:

• How much fish can I bring home?

  Due to limited space on our planes, we ask that you limit your home fresh fish and bags to a total of 70 lbs per/person. The rest of your fish can of course be sent to one of our professional processors.

• How long can I travel with my frozen fish?

  Your fish will be flash frozen and should easily endure your return day's worth of travel. If you are spending the night in Vancouver at the end of your trip, make sure you ask the hotel to store your catch in their freezer until you leave. Our partner hotels have complementary fish storage and handling.

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

  Each of our partnering hotels, Fairmont YVR, Pacific Gateway, and Rosewood Hotel Georgia have large freezers exclusively reserved for our guest’s fish.