01-02-2025 REELLIFE DIGITAL - Flipbook - Page 40
This one is for those people
who want the ultimate
PNW fishing experience.
You want salmon, you
want halibut, you want
the smell of saltwater
and rugged untouched
shorelines. This destination
is not for people who want
shopping, nightlife, and
dance clubs. When you pull
into Zeballos, BC you drive
into the past. There’s one
thing to do: Fish, Eat, Sleep,
Repeat.
There’s one primary
business in this town: Reel
Obsession Sportfishing.
Zeballos is about halfway
up the west coast of
Vancouver Island in British
Columbia. It looks just
like the coastal parts of
the PNW. On the drive up
(about 4 1/2 hours from the
ferry in Nanaimo) there
are towering cedars and
firs, jagged mountains,
and pristine streams.
There aren’t any minimarts though. This trip is
all about decompressing
and enjoying some of
the consistently best allaround salmon & halibut
fishing in the region, and
the team at Reel Obsession
is obsessive in providing an
unforgettable experience
for their guests.
From the time you
arrive, until you depart,
they have thought of
everything. Wonderful
accommodations, amazing
chef-prepared meals,
top-quality boats, gear,
and equipment, and offthe-hook fishing is what
makes this a 5-star fishing
destination. Owners Adrian
and Angie O’Connor have
grown their operation to
include up to 30 guests
daily with groups of two,
three, and larger visiting for
three- or four-day inclusive
trips. Guests start their
day with breakfast in the
common room then head
for the boats, lunches
already onboard, and after
eight hours of fishing your
captain returns you to
the dock. Fish are filleted,
vacuum packed, and flash
frozen – all while you enjoy
the latest chef’s creation.
Then you wake up and do
it again.
Located at the end of
Esperanza Inlet which
leads to Nootka Sound and
then the Pacific Salmon
Highway, fishing from
Zeballos allows multiple
options to intercept
salmon, access to reliable
halibut grounds, and the
chance at ling cod and
bottom fish nearly every
trip. Later in the season,
Albacore Tuna trips are
possible as are the chances
for the prized Tyee Salmon
(30 pounds or larger).
U.S. guests are limited
to specific travel limits
which usually fill a good
cooler. Reel Obsession
books up fast each season,
we recommend you
reach out to them early
to plan your destination
fishing adventure. For
more information about
Reel Obsession visit
reelobsession.ca.
There you have it, our “5Star Destinations” fishing
list. We’re sure you have
your own list, but if you
haven’t tried one of these
amazing destinations, give
it a shot. It may well be
added to your 5 Star List!
