C18 - Wednesdas, May 23, 1984 - North Shore News RR cen ved | (Se) | PRINCE RUPERT CRUISES Chartering a coastal experience THE FLEDGLING charter boat industry of the north Pacific city Prince Rupert gives visitors the Opportunity for great adventures. A unique, (otal experience can be packed into a short cruise because of the ac- cessibility of both productive fishing grounds and virgin coastal wilderness Although the day will ar- rive when Prince Rupert's charter boat business is refin ed and packaged like the slick world-class) operations in places hke Key West, Florida and Cairns, Australia, fishing and wilderness en- thusiasts can at the moment take advantage of one of the best boating bargains offered anywhere. Prince Rupert has a stable of about 14) charter boat compames — most of them single boat outfits that are owner operated. While their shore-based promotion and organization may be less than pohshed, their boats, equip ment and local Knowledge are first class Boat sizes) tange trom 20-foot planing hulls to 40-foot full keep cruisers The faster boats should be considered tor half or whole day excursions while the big- ger heavier boats provide ex- cellent sheltered waters. Aside trom reducing the risk of seasickness, it seems that no matter where you fish, the surrounding seascape 1s captivating. Remote sandy beaches that Hugh Charbonneau, who has skippered his own charter boal for five years, says that of five cruises he has booked this summer, only one is strictly fishing. *‘The others not only want to fish, but they want to beachcomb and see the country ”’ Charbonneau says people are looking for a quality ex- “Colorful Japanese glass balls are among the interesting items regularly tossed up by the surf. stretch out along the seaward side of many of the outer islands are a beacheomber’s paradise These beaches have not been proked- over Color tul Japanese glass balls are among the regularly surt. The northcoast is) dotted with abandoned canneries and villages which for the interesting tossed IPCI up by the perience afl competitive rates “Wath the diversity aa this area, we are able lo offer it" Fishing, however, as still the staple of Prince Rupert's stnall charter industry | Ag vess to Prince Rupert harbor is trom Chatham Sound, a wide, relatively sheltered water body that reaches north almost to the up ot Alaska Two of the largest salmon rivers on the entire west coast flow into Chatham Sound. Prince Rupert 1s located bet- ween the mouths of these rivers, giving anglers an un- paralleled opportunity for landing a big Spring, some of which range to 90 pounds Crab and prawn traps are set as a matter of course and produce delictous results throughout the season While salmon are abun- dant, particularly during the summer months, they are not that easy to catch Local knowledge on gear types and an understanding of how the tides affect feeding habits are necessary People thinking about travlering their boats to the northeoast tor tishiny should consider chartenmy as an alternative By the newoomer time a has acquired the necessary angling equipment and spent a few trustrating days trying to figure out salmon habits, io likely will have been cheaper and cer- tainly more. satistying to charter. Safety i another factor which should concern people planning to use their own boats. Prince Rupert ex- penences 24-toot udes and variable winds. This com- bination can make navigation tricky. For the person mak- ing a short visit to the nor- theoast, the value of local ex- perience cannot be over: emphasized Fresh water fishermen looking for a quality ex- perience will not be disap- pointed. Although there as easy road access [tO Many salmon and steelhead streams, one Prince Rupert firms tlying anglers by small float plane to inaccessible lakes The company provides excellent lakestde Cabins and boats. These lakes are within 20 to 40 minutes flying time ot Prince Rupert People wishing to charter wilh tind excellent access to Prince Rupert The served Dy twice daily Vice SEEN OS jet ser from Nanecouses Bar those wishing to work a coastal experience into a hohi- day, Prince Rupert is the northern terminus for the B.C. Ferry System and the major southern terminus of the Alaska State Ferry System. It 1s also the western terminus for the Yellowhead Highway 16 road network. WAIKIKI Ait only WAIKIKI 8 Days $529 7 Nghts Av & Hotei LAS VEGAS 5279 5 Days 4 Nights Ai & Hotel RENO $249 & Days 4 Nignts Air & Hotel 5259 MAPLE LEAF TRAVEL 736-3555 Reg Agest 1573 TORONTO overnight accom most part are accessible to modation tor extended the knowledgeable skipper CTUISES . These decaying sites which Rates vary from $80 to are being reclaimed by the $100 per person per day for a rainforest attord unique party of four The only thing not covered w tood When vou consider the first class hotel, this as oa bargain by any standards photographic opportunities There are quaint @shing and lopping set tlhements, and Indian villapes within Comfortable also COSE Of a CTULSTIE The north BO (Coast is a distances of Prince Rupert pristine wilderness with rach Places that ate only ac and productive fishing cessible by water seem te grounds = and scenery The coast is dorted with uninhabited iastands atid thord like channels where the spectaculart have a CCEA COManee Ntid mberestiap avallable ta boaters thatas broadenimy the base of wos the variety of places Slopes Ob snow capped miei the docal charter ondustry tarms plunge tothe io. belive While the north eowst 4s walter redowrnedd for ots Saber: aired Vyrnbthke nian ot tie weed Yvabatoast Pastrarig ary trae bea setae hot saltwater fishing sprats nauiiber ot poogpeke aie whee dines arc wetted in thre chrartersip teats vi an cfbort Open Ocean cost distin on Poo eadpeure a Ute wate tal the morthecaast ws mr rebatiwedy CXpPCriene¢ k ref poet Mee AIR ONL Y A 13 CALA , \ (@' DA DAYS Ae ts a Mornvelous Mazatlan: fot as low Gs $299 poo, by Wee alse coffert ca chrcnces cof biacoterts prricercS Loca degert ter barat \. -Medi/Sate_ front cas low as SSDD poet prerrc no sbrortoey fore fil Veda gtat, nfo py rae bodes MAY 26 JUNE 9 209 FLIGHIS ONLY! 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