Timing is everything, especially in fishing. As fishers, we do our best to utilize our logarithmic skills to factor bait, tackle, gear, equipment, safety, weather, time, and environment. Sprinkle on a little bit of hope and you may have a recipe to catch the infamous Canadian Tuna like we did last August in Zeballos, BC in Zeballos, BC with Reel Obsession Sport Fishing.
Nearly a year in the making, last August, we headed out of Spokane to Vancouver Island. Me, Rob, and our two daughters, Cameron and Sarah, headed out on the 700 mile-2 day trip to Zeballos. We had our passports, bibs, maps, lodging itinerary, ferry tickets, snacks, coolers and a navigation plan. We set out to BC hoping to catch the infamous BC Tuna.
Our hopes multiplied as we left Spokane. Rob had been on the horn with Adrian of Reel Obsession and the scuttlebutt was that our timing was right for Tuna. We planned on fishing for Salmon, Halibut, and Bottom fish and the idea of Tuna was a BONUS. All factors were adding up to ideal conditions. The water temperature was right, and the weather was cooperating. Adrian and his fleet were in the Tuna between 20 and 40 miles out when we left Spokane. Our imaginations ran wild as we drove. Would we get there in time?
Now, our girls are seasoned on the Salt, and they can travel independently abroad. They were ready for this trip. Their skills would be put to use and pushed. Their mental toughness was developed. They had their own gear, and their stamina was up. The time was right for them to go 40 miles out to sea for a long grinding day of hauling in up to 20 tuna per person as the limit.
It took a while at the border. We were the last truck that loaded the ferry on the last boat of the night. (Planning for this is key. Any delays may affect your ferry sailing)
We got into Nanaimo late and grabbed a hotel. We set out early for Zeballos on the 4-hour drive. We hit a few stores on the way. Zeballos has one small store that is open with limited hours and limited supply, grab your niceties on the way.
Angie, Adrian’s wife and Operations Manager, had everything dialed for us upon arrival. Our rooms were great. The main lodge was bustling. Folks gathered around the firepit with a glass of wine to soak up the views while being contentful waiting for dinner. Sitting down for dinner, the buzz was in, the Tuna were still here! We would be getting our shot at the Tuna Dance!
The morning was met with a communal breakfast and lunch coolers to tote. The scene of the fleet of boats heading out together was a sight to revel in. My girls soaked in the scenery as they gazed with wonder at the open sea. We went 40 miles out. Not all the fleet, but a handful of us Reel Obsession boats were working together over the horn. The radio chimed pleasantries rarely heard over the com in Washington waters. Like, “Lookin’ good aye?” and “Great job, aye!” BC fishers are some of the nicest, hardworking folks I’ve met.
We get to the grounds and Adrian shows the girls the ropes. Essentially, he shows them how to dance for Tuna in a brief 2-minute tutorial. We started to move as a team. We were trolling at about 7 knots fishing with rods and reels and hand lines. Level lines and hand lines are productive and fast; and less awkward than a rod and reel when trolling. “The hand lines help keep the trolling speed up.” Adrian had said. The girls got into it. The handlines helped keep their stamina up. We grinded all day, with not a moment to spare. Adrian was incredible at teaching the girls new techniques, picking up slack when the girls felt a wave of fatigue. Rob and Adrian pulled in the extra slack that day. Mentors are good like that. We grabbed snacks as our energy slowed. Angie and the staff had prepared a delicious lunch for fuel and endurance. We brought in around 40 Tuna! It was incredible! It was rigorous, it was hard, it was fun and It was the time of our lives!
We headed in with the other “Reel” boat that was out. We got to the dock, exhausted. Ange and her team were waiting for us to offload and begin processing. They laid out all the tuna from both boats for some pictures. It was glorious! We headed up to the lodge to get cleaned up and ready ourselves for dinner while the Reel Obsession Crew got to work.
We fished for 3 more days. The fishing was great. The girls wanted to fish for halibut, so we fished in the rain at 300 ft and let them do most of the reeling. We caught our fair share of salmon and some bottom fish. Each day the crew would do the same and offload our catch and get to work while we sat reminiscing about the day in comfort as we soaked in the company and scenery.
We headed out early in the morning with our fish packaged and ready to go for the border. We spent an extra day in Vancouver to play around. We headed home the next day in a straight 8-hour shot. Looking back, Sarah recalls, “The food, scenery, and the people are extraordinary! Zeballos is Awesome!” I agree with her. It was the time of our lives!
*Reel Obsession is a Family Operation. Adrian, and his wife Angie, own and operate the Lodge alongside their two children. Angie runs the land part as the Operation Manager and Adrian runs the Marine side as Operations Manager. Keegan, their son works on the docks and in processing and Kenzie helps serve and operations in the Lodge.
*Reel Obsession is an All-inclusive Fishing Vacation Lodge. Packages include lodging, all meals, snacks, beverages, and guided fishing. They are a licensed processing facility and process and vacuum seal all our fish.
“It’s always a halibut and salmon trip but if the water temps are right, then we can get out for tuna!“ -Adrian O’Connell
