PPS Destinations Report

Haa-Nee-Naa Lodge, Dundas Island, BC, Canada

Date:         August 2002

Reported by Rod Wentworth, DDS; WA, USA

The first week of August 2002 found the return of the ABC Study Club to Haa Nee Naa Lodge on Dundas Island, B.C. Sunshine washed out the memories of the storms of 2001 and the Coho were in a cooperative mood. The trip started out a bit ragged when Air Canada managed to misplace my gear bag. Although I had my rods, my sunglasses, reels, line, and flies were flying on to Sandspit as we departed Prince Rupert towards Dundas. (More on Air Canada later). The generosity of Clayton Vanier, owner of Haa Nee Naa, saved the trip as he lent me his personal gear. Clayton, his wife Jennifer and the fine staff at Haa Nee Naa are the reason we look forward to our return each year. They treat you like family and are committed to making your experience a memorable one.

Our fist evening was confined to fishing in the area a short run from the lodge. A number of fish were caught by those fishing with herring. Those of us casting flies were thinking about the next day when we could make the longer trip to Zayas Island another 30 minutes away over open water. Clayton reported the last few days showed fish stacked up along the rocky points of the nearby island eager to take flies cast their way. We only hoped they would still be there the next day.

The next morning Clayton led a convoy of boats from the lodge along Dixon inlet to Zayas Island. Four of us headed for the kelp beds and rocky outcroppings on the northern tip of Zayas. Anchoring in 40-70 feet of water, we cast our clousers into the clear tidal currents around us. In just a few casts, there was a hookup.... Then another...and another. You get the picture. Saltwater Coho nirvana!! For the next 3 hours it seemed like at least one of the three boats around us had a hookup. Each boat had at least two doubles each! Even when the winds picked up challenging our casting, the fish seemed to be forgiving and gobbled our offerings readily. As the tides changed, the fish moved and a bit of searching was required to find the schools of salmon. Nevertheless, as long as you looked there were fish to find.

The remainder of our trip was much the same. Most of the time the fishing was good. At times, it was simply spectacular. The Haa Nee Naa experience was so good I almost forgot about my missing bag which finally arrived the afternoon before we were scheduled to leave. Although I release all my fish throughout the year, this is the one trip I bring fish home to family and friends. Needless to say, limits of coho were packed for all. On the return trip the Air Canada gremlin found us again. Unbeknownst to those of us waiting on the plane, finding an unexpected full flight, the ground crew off-loaded many passenger's luggage. Once in Vancouver , four of our group, including yours truly, were told we would have to wait another day for all our luggage, including our fish. We were assured that the fish would be refrigerated and couriered to our homes in Seattle the next night. The luggage made it, but all the fish was lost for three more days and without refrigeration arrived as fertilizer. A real shame for a limited resource!

We have already booked next year and look forward to what has become an annual pilgrimage for our group. The fishing, food, and friends at Has Nee Naa are well worth any travel gremlins along the way.