Sport Fishing and the Art of Relaxation

Photo by Guy  Kimola

Every angler has their own reason for loving fishing, whether it’s the thrill of the chase, getting to be outdoors all day, or frying up the catch at home. But there’s another big reason that people head out onto the water: fishing is relaxing.

Although the word “relaxing” may seem at odds with the image of a fisherman fighting a massive Chinook salmon for an hour or two before getting it onto the boat, that is only one aspect of the sport. Because sportfishing takes you out on the water for hours at a time—often the whole day—there’s a lot of downtime between such battles.

These moments between tugs on the line are also what fishing is known for. In fact, the most common reason people fish is to relax, according to the American Sportfishing Association. 

Photo by Owen Perry

While waiting for the next battle, an angler can allow their mind to wander—but not too much, because you need to be able to react when the bite does come. This makes fishing an activity similar to mowing the lawn or painting a wall. That is, it engages part of your brain, but it doesn’t always engage all of it. You need to pay attention, but you don’t need to pay it all of your attention.

This makes fishing the perfect set up for letting your mind wander—and often the type of situation that gives rise to Eureka moments. 

Not only does fishing give you time with your own thoughts, but the constant casting and reeling means it’s a repetitive activity. Repetitive activities are stress busting. And diverting attention to repetition is not only mentally soothing, but actually releases physical tension too. 

Photo by Guy Kimola

Whether you're out with Escott Sportfishing trolling, mooching, or even saltwater fly fishing, you can expect the perfect mixture of excitement and relaxation—while soaking up the scenery of Haida Gwaii, which is always a relaxing thing.

How to Dress for Sport Fishing

Photo By Guy Kimola

When you come to Masset to go salmon fishing with Escott Sportfishing, you’ll be spending every day, all day, out on the water. While we provide rain gear, rain boots, a fishing hat, and a toque for each guest, you’ll need to pack the right clothes for your fishing trip.

For those who don’t already have their own “fishing wardrobe,” there are a few basic things to keep in mind.

Like your parents always told you, the key for dressing for the outdoors is layers. Although the temperatures in Haida Gwaii stay between 0°C and 20°C year round, the weather can be unpredictable. So, whether you’re fishing in the height of summer or as winter begins to creep up, layers will allow you to regulate your temperature.

Your fishing outfit should consist of three layers: a base layer, a midlayer, and your fishing bib.

The base layer is there to keep you dry. There’s no getting around sweat when you’re out fishing for the mighty Tyee, and a breathable base layer will eliminate excess moisture. If you’re fishing adventure is booked for a colder season, then this layer will also provide extra warmth. Ideally go for a synthetic and stay away from cotton or wool; although they are warm, they hold onto moisture, which just makes you colder.

The midlayer is there to keep you warm. The air trapped between the base layer and midlayer plays a major role in this, but so does the material. Stay away from jeans and other stiff materials and go for something less restrictive, like sweatpants or cargo pants. A T-shirt or fleece on top, depending on the season, is good for up top.

You’ll also want to keep your feet warm and, more importantly, dry. Wear sport-specific socks, not regular old tube socks—your toes will thank you. Another essential item is a pair of sunglasses. Polarized is best, to help cut the glare coming off the water, but above all make sure they stick on your face, otherwise they might end up overboard.

With the right clothes, you’ll make sure you can concentrate on reeling in the fish and not on being uncomfortable.

From the Hook to the Cook: Fish Care You Can Trust

You and your friends are out on the boat in the waters of the Haida Gwaii, taking in all that the waters and the island have to offer. You spent the whole day laughing, enjoying each other’s company, regaling each other with stories, and most importantly, reeling in some of the best Tyee and Halibut around. The day is over, and now you have a boatload of fish that needs tending to. Don’t fret. We at Escott Sportfishing have you covered.

         We understand that proper fish care is imperative to preserving the quality and taste of your fish. As experienced fishers ourselves, we can’t think of anything worse than your entire stock of fresh fish going rotten because you didn’t have the proper tools and space to take care of them yourself. That’s a whole day of good fishing wasted. When travelling, it’s always important to have the proper tools and facilities with or near you to clean and store your fish. Unlike most Sportfishing and Charter fishing locations along the coast or in the area, Escott Sportfishing offers full fish care services. From the deck to the dock, your fish is instantly bled, stored on ice, cleaned immediately and vac-packed or flash frozen depending on your preference. You can rest assured that once your fish is unloaded and in our capable hands, we handle it with care and prepare it thoroughly as if it were our own.

At Escott, we offer two options to prepare your fish for the journey home. Our options include Fresh Fish and Canned Fish. The first, and more popular option, fresh fish, involves a lot of cleaning techniques that are purely based on your preference so your fish is cleaned and prepared the way you like it. We can clean the fish with the head on or off and can single or butterfly fillet it as desired. We remove stomach bones, vac-pack your fish, and even provide fish coolers. Your second option would be to have your fish canned. With canning, we can smoke it before it’s canned or vac pack it. We have three options for vac-packing, which include, hot-smoked, cold- smoked, or cut into steaks. Tons of options from which you can choose!

So, after a long day of fishing, trust our professional fish care services to take care and store your fish. We want you to not just have the memories of a great trip, but also enjoy the fish that you caught during your time here at Escott Sportfishing. Pictures are great, but they don’t taste good on the grill.

Get Your Fishing Face On!

Photo By Owen Perry

Once again we post about the amazing experience your stay in the Queen Charlotte Islands would be; we strive to keep being your number one fishing and outdoor adventuring site. Now that you know almost everything there is about the island itself and the activities to do, get to know what Escott Sportfishing requires from you to make your fishing dreams come true, and also get familiar with a few other pleasant surprises in our packages.

Well, this won’t surprise you: you need a license to fish. We do not provide you one and require you to have it at hand to enjoy the excitement of fishing in Haida Gwaii.

You need a B.C. Tidal Waters Sports Fishing License which allows you to fish on Salt Water and are provided by the government of Canada. This one is different from the Non-tidal Angling License, which would only allow you to fish in fresh water and is issued by the British Columbia province.

The cost varies, depending on how many days you will be fishing, and it can go up if you´re not a Canadian resident, so make sure you visit their webpage for updates. The juvenile license for kids under 16 years of age is always free.

You also need to get your Salmon Conservation Stamp affixed to your license if you want to catch any kind of Salmon with us. This stamp is valid for a year, starting April 1st of each fishing season. Make sure you get your license and salmon conservation stamp at the same time so they print it directly on your license.

The Escott Sportfishing team provides transportation to and from the Masset airport, so you can scratch that off your to-do list. But you must remember there is a luggage weight limit of 25 pounds per person with the fishing gear included.

Climate here changes without warning, so we highly recommend our guests to be prepared for everything; bring enough warm clothing, because it is mostly cold in the islands. We will supply the essentials for your fishing trips such as rain boots and rain gear. 11 hours of fishing per day plus 7 hours on arrival day next to the experts will surely satisfy your fishing needs. Our accommodations on their own are an experience you won’t want to miss out on; we are able to fit a total of 15 guests at the time and the lodge is perfectly arranged to harmonize with the incredible surroundings.

Photo by Guy Kimola

Turns out we have even more to offer; on our website you will find many other interesting facts and requirements. Remember to book your room with enough time and have your valid passport to get your trip started. Rates are available in our website’s Rates and Dates section, or you can give us a call at 1-604-818-5106 (Direct) or 1-250-626-5555 (Lodge). Contact us for quotes on customized packages. It’s never too soon to plan the getaway of your life, contact us and start packing! The Escott Sportfishing family will be waiting for you.