Reel Time Fishing Charters & Marine Tours
1956 Zorkin Road V9S 5T9 Nanaimo, BC, Canada

Chinook fishing in Nanaimo is stellar more ways than one

COVID-19 Precautions aboard Reel Time Fishing Charter & Marine Tours At Reel Time Fishing Charters & Marine Tours, our commitment to you is a service that is safe and enjoyable. As such, our Fishing Charters and Marine Scenic and Wildlife tours will include the following: Private Charters (groups no larger than six consisting of family members & close friends only)... Face Masks (face masks will be provided for our guests and worn by our captain) A sanitized boat (all touch points to be disinfected before each trip). A handwashing station (our boat offers running water, a sink and soap for our guests to wash their hands after handling fishing or sight-seeing gear). A COVID Questionnaire (all guests who book with Reel Time will be asked whether they have experienced or been exposed to COVID-19 symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat or headache). A no-hassle reimbursement of deposit (if for some reason the trip has to be canceled, we will reissue your deposit). The summer of 2020 will be forever remembered as different. At Reel Time Fishing Charters & Marine Tours, our desire is to replace the fear factor with the fun factor by ensuring a safe environment. If you have any other questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us. Yours Truly Captain Turk Owner and operator of Reel Time Fishing Charters & Marine Tours

COVID-19 STRESS BUSTERS: Story time with Reel Time Fishing Charters & Marine Tours. Story #18: EpilogueFriendship! It was three oclock in the morning. A soft breeze was blowing outside my window rustling the leaves in the trees. An empty pop can blew off an outside patio table landing with a hollow bang. A dog barked a few blocks away. I was lying in a strange bed and couldnt sleep. I was restless, worried about how Id fare on my very first charter the next morning....Continue reading

COVID-19 STRESS BUSTERS: Story time with Reel Time Fishing Charters & Marine Tours. Story #17: And This Is How It All Began Living the dream! Its a phrase we hear often these days. The first time I ever heard it was during my first year working as a fishing guide. Walking to my boat to get it ready for a charter one morning, I remember passing one of the guides and asking, How are you doing? Living the dream Turk, living the dream, he replied....Continue reading

COVID-19 STRESS BUSTERS: Story time with Reel Time Fishing Charters & Marine Tours. Story #16: WYA POINT--Beauty and the Beasts It was a perfect morning. Rays of sunshine were just beginning to pierce through a thin layer of clouds on the horizon awakening the blue sky with soft shades of yellow and orange. The breeze was gentle and warm sweeping an early morning mist off the water. Seeing the coastline appear in the faint early morning light, I knew we had arrived. Switching...Continue reading

COVID-19 STRESS BUSTERS: Story time with Reel Time Fishing Charters & Marine Tours. Story #15 Goodness, Gracious, Great Balls of Fire For some time, I had considered Ucluelet as a possible place to run my charter business. Ucluelet, a resort municipality located on the west coast of Vancouver Island, is known for its commercial and sports fishery. The population of seventeen hundred more than doubles over the summer as people from all over the world come to experience world c...Continue reading

COVID-19 STRESS BUSTERS: Story time with Reel Time Fishing Charters & Marine Tours. Story #14: Caught in a Storm The two industries that account for most work-related deaths in British Columbia are the forest industry and the marine industry. I cant speak for the forest industry. But in the marine industry, I have discovered that when something goes wrong, it often goes wrong fast. The weight on a Seiner suddenly shifts causing the boat to list too far to one side. A whale w...Continue reading

COVID-19 STRESS BUSTERS: Story time with Reel Time Fishing Charters & Marine Tours. Story #13: Whales The first time I ever encountered whales, I was fishing with my two young boys in a sixteen foot aluminum boat. I heard them blow before I saw them. When they surfaced again, they were just off the port side of our tiny tin boat. It was then I realized how small we were and how large they are. Whales are magnificent creatures. They move with grace. They are intelligent. And t...Continue reading

COVID-19 STRESS BUSTERS: Story time with Reel Time Fishing Charters & Marine Tours. Story #12: It Happens Over the years, there were many times Id walk over to one of the guides after a day of fishing and say, You wont believe what happened to me today. Those who know me well often roll their eyes and asked What was it this time? But like Forrest in the movie Forrest Gump, we know all too well that sometimes, **it happens! When it does happen, it can be expensive, educa...Continue reading

COVID-19 STRESS BUSTERS: Story time with Reel Time Fishing Charters & Marine Tours. Story #11: Birds According to local legends, there is a famous fishing hole in Ucluelet called Little Beach. I have listened to tales of the fish caught there. Yet, after six summers, I had yet to hook a salmon in the area. With an hour left in a morning charter late last August, I decided to give Little Beach a try before heading back in. Shaped like a cul-de-sac, the entrance into Little B...Continue reading

COVID-19 STRESS BUSTERS: Story time with Reel Time Fishing Charters & Marine Tours. Story #10: Boat Parties This story is dedicated to the fishing guides in Ucluelet whom I have fished with over the past six summers. Thank you for teaching me, looking out for me and sharing life with me. I will miss the early mornings at our boats talking shop, the phone calls while out fishing and the moments back at the dock reminiscing about our day on the water. I will also miss the occas...Continue reading

COVID-19 STRESS BUSTERS: Story time with Reel Time Fishing Charters & Marine Tours. Story #9: The Eleventh Hour Ive heard the response many times from guests after Ive explained that fishing has been a little slow lately: Oh, its ok Turk, itll be great just to get out on the water. That never stops me from giving a hundred and ten percent every time I charter. I know that even though my guests often say such things, deep down they really cant wait to experience the exh...Continue reading

COVID-19 STRESS BUSTERS: Story time with Reel Time Fishing Charters & Marine Tours. Story #8: A Fortunate Son In my second year of guiding, I received a call from a prestigious fishing lodge on the West Coast of Vancouver Island requesting my services. Whoa, I thought, what an opportunity! Im in the big league now. How lucky can a person get?...Continue reading

COVID-19 STRESS BUSTERS: Story time with Reel Time Fishing Charters & Marine Tours. Story #7: Hooked! My beef with bottom fish is that they are boring, bony and a bother to clean. And by bottom fish, I am referring to rock cod such as Yellowtail, Quillback, China Rock Fish or Red Snapper. The other reason I dont like fishing for them is because they are not a very sustainable fishery. While salmon reach reproductive maturity in four years, most rock fish reach reproductive m...Continue reading

COVID-19 STRESS BUSTERS: Story time with Reel Time Fishing Charters & Marine Tours. Story #6: Shark Bite Off the rugged and breathtaking coastline of Vancouver Island, there are three species of fish we target; salmon, lingcod and halibut. When hooked, some will leave your heart pounding and your limbs quaking. Others will leave your mind spinning in wonder and your head shaking in amusement. Halibut belong to the latter category. In fact, I could probably write a book about ...Continue reading

COVID-19 STRESS BUSTERS: Story time with Reel Time Fishing Charters & Marine Tours. Story #5: Racing on the Ocean Ever since I can remember, I have been captivated by the world of speed. As a kid, I grew up hunting and fishing the local woods and creeks. But alongside the hunting and fishing pictures I had taped on my bedroom walls were pictures of racing cars and motorcycles....Continue reading

COVID-19 STRESS BUSTERS: Story time with Reel Time Fishing Charters & Marine Tours. Story #4: The Salmon or the Barbeque? Four years ago, I received a phone call from a young lady inquiring about a Nanaimo fishing charter for her husbands twenty-fifth birthday. Excellent idea! I said. How much? she inquired. Three hundred and seventy-five dollars for four hours, I replied. Three hundred and seventy five dollars! she exclaimed astounded, I could buy him a barbeque fo...Continue reading

COVID-19 STRESS BUSTERS: Story time with Reel Time Fishing Charters & Marine Tours. Story #3: Love the Ones Youre With! Shortly before I started my own fishing charter business, a friend and fishing guide gave me some good advice. He said, Turk, be careful you dont turn something you love into something you hate. Knowing he had been in the business for many years, I took his advice seriously. So before investing tens of thousands of dollars into my own boat and gear, I wo...Continue reading

COVID-19 STRESS BUSTERS: Story Time from Reel Time Fishing Charters & Marine Tours Story #2: My Lifes Coming To An End! Shortly before starting my second year as a fishing guide in Ucluelet, I received a phone call from someone wanting to take their family fishing. This particular call came from a woman in Nanaimo whose daughter and son-in-law were coming for a visit in July. A heavy duty machine operator in Fort McMurray, her son-in-law loved fishing so the idea of a West C...Continue reading

COVID-19 Stress Busters: Story Time with Reel Time Fishing Charters & Marine Tours. Story #1: The Shark that became a Halibut I have heard it time and time again: I could write a book about all of the crazy things Ive experienced in my years as a fishing guide. The problem is, not many of us have had the time to write about these tales until now. With most of us holed up in our homes due to the COVID-19 pandemic, perhaps the time has come to tell these stories of fish and ...Continue reading

COVID 19 Response from Reel Time Fishing Charters. How do you keep a song bird from singing? How do you keep a bumble bee from visiting a flower? How to you keep a timber wolf from howling at the moon? Or, how do you keep a fishing and marine tourist guide from taking people out on the water? In response to the COVID 19 pandemic, I, like so many others in this country, have closed down our business until further notice. For someone who enjoys socializing, loves fishing and... takes pride showing off the breathtaking beauty found along the coast of British Columbia, this has been the hardest thing I have done since starting the business. A very difficult decision! Yet, one I believe to be the right decision. How long this pandemic will last is yet unknown. But one thing is certain! It will affect the lives of all of us emotionally, financially and for some of us, physically. In these difficult times though, my hope and prayer is that this pandemic will show the best side of humanity, and not the worst. Lets show love to each other and work together as we face this great challenge. As one wise guy once said, this too shall pass. And when it does, life will resume, hopefully, better because of it. In the meantime, stay as safe, sane and healthy as you can. Our thoughts are with you all. For all further updates about the remaining season, visit our Facebook page found at the bottom of our website. Regards Andrew Turkstra Owner and operator of Reel Time Fishing Charters & Marine Tours

Ideas for Spring Break: Fishing plus Scenic & Wildlife Tours Looking for something to do over spring break? How about a mini cruise exploring the inspiring sights and stories found in and around the Nanaimo Harbor and Gulf Islands? How about a nature walk or a sea-side stroll along the many trails and beaches found places like Newcastle or De Courcey Island? Or how about a little fishing for those fantastic Chinook salmon which look so good, fight so good and taste so good? Y...es, we are living in the midst of a chaotic time. But we still need to live, love and enjoy those people and places that can often bring perspective, peace and even hope! In fact, addressing the province of British Columbia in the midst of Covid 19 crisis, BCs provincial Health Minister Dr. Bonnie Henry even made mention of this. Taking what we know to be the necessary precautions, she suggested we continue our daily lives. Go outside and play with your family. Go out and experience what we have here in B.C. right now. If we at Reel Time Fishing Charters and Marine Tours can help bring some Spring back into this years Spring Break by sharing the grandeur and vitality that comes with time spent in our great outdoors, let us know. We offer a variety of fishing adventures as well as 3 distinct scenic and wildlife tours that leave from Nanaimo. In this difficult season most of us will never forget, let us work together at creating life-giving experiences well always remember.

February 2020: Nanaimo Fishing and Sightseeing Adventures with Reel Time Fishing Charters & Marine Tours: February 2020 is producing some of the best Nanaimo fishing in years. And, February is also producing some of the greatest wildlife sightings in years. This past week (Friday, February 21), our fishing trip took towards Nanoose. On our way, we were privileged to see Stellar and California Sea Lions, harbor seals, eagles and a variety of other waterfowl. Once past Winchels...ea Island, we dropped lines and fished the east side of Gerald Island and Dorcas Rock. Two hours and not a touch. Back to Nanaimo we stopped at what is called the second green lawn. On our second pass we hit our first fish, a beautiful 8 lb Chinook Salmon. Our second pass produced a smaller fish just under the legal limit. After a few more passes and no more takers, we made our way towards Neck Point. And, just before bringing up the lines, we hooked our third fish, a real fighter! A few short runs, a couple of head shakes and he (or she) was gone. If you are visiting Nanaimo over the next month or so, look us up. Nanaimo fishing charters and sightseeing tours is what we do best! We have the knowledge, experience and equipment for a great day on the water.

Family Day Fun with Reel Time Fishing Charters & Marine Tours. Looking for something to do this family day in Nanaimo? How about a fun filled fishing, sight-seeing, crabbing or beach combing trip with Reel Time Fishing Charters & Marine Tours. Passionate about fishing, knowledgeable about the local sights and folklore, we love nothing more than watching others get hooked not just into fish but into the natural wonder, beauty and history of this place we call the "Harbor City" or Nanaimo. Looking to create some great memories that will last forever, book your trip for family day today. Experience the wonder! Invest in the future!

It may be cold out there but the fishing has been hot in Nanaimo. Book a trip now aboard Reel Time Fishing Charters & Marine Tours. Experience the Wonder, Invest in its Future.

Winter Springs (Chinook) are Biting in Nanaimo. Reel Time Fishing Charters & Marine Tours has started the year off with some great fishing in Nanaimo. This past weekend on two separate occassions, we managed to find some bait and along with it, some nice winter springs. The conditions may be a little chilly but the fish are in and active. With a limit of 2 salmon per person per day until the first of April, the next few months could provide a great opportunity to get out there and experience the thrill of hooking one of these good looking, good eating and good fighting fish. Check out our new website at www.reeltimewestcoastcharters.com and take a look at our affordable off season fishing specials. Beat the winter blues with some winter fishing. And let the 2020 fishing season begin.

Somewhere underneath all that that snow is our charter boat "Friendship". Hard to believe that our fishing charter is nine more days. The season begins

With a new year comes a new logo and the addition of 3 distinct scenic and wildlife tours. Visit our website [email protected] to find out more about these eco-tours. Stay tuned as we get ready to launch our new website which will also highlight our new fishing charters for 2020. Have a great New Year

The last kiss, the final goodbye. Thanks Breakthrough for keeping my guests safe, my family sustained, me smiling and for all those amazing memories. I've posted some pictures that some of you may remember aboard Breakthrough. If you have others, please share them in the comments. For a boat that did it all, I leave this poem/song inspired by a Coldplay song "Fun" that played on my way home after dropping her off with her new owner.... "I know it's over before she says Someone else is taking your place. I know it's over Icarus says to the Sun And so it sinks in. The fact that it's over, the fact that it's done Ah but didn't we have fun. From the top of the world, top of the waves We said forever, forever always From those late nights in the shop, Those cozy nights sleeping inside, The wild west coast waters, Great fishing, awesome guests Breathtaking adventures to other worlds It's over, it's done And now that you're gone, I just want to say, man didn't we have fun?" Thanks Breakthrough! New adventures await aboard Friendship!

First trip back in Nanaimo, great company, great weather and great fishing

The sad day has come, she's for sale, message me for details.

A good day in Ucluelet, 2 tyee and a monster halibut

A record catch! Today we landed and released over 50 Chinook salmon on a five hour charter. I have never seen fishing like this in Nanaimo waters. In fact it's been like this over the past few weeks. It certainly makes you wonder about the fishery closure. Anyways the fishing and weather continue to be phenomenal so consider taking a day out on the water. Chances are you wouldn't be disappointed

Fishing Closures: Many have asked how I feel about the latest decision by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans to close down almost the entire Chinook fishery on Vancouver Island. I will go on record to say that it is a terrible decision. Terrible in that it does not address the main concerns facing these fish, terrible in that it has destroyed the livelihood and enjoyment for so many, terrible in that the decision is more political than it is scientific, terrible in that i...t angers and alienates those who have truly invested and cared about this precious resource. Of course, I could go on and on about how our Department of Fisheries and Oceans have for decades mismanaged our Chinook populations. But that is not point of this post. At the end of the day, Reel Time Fishing Charters will try to continue our business of making life-time memories as well as bringing people closer to these grand creatures and our great and beautiful west coast. As one of my best mentors taught me, the business of a fishing charter guide is mostly about people, not simply about fish. And he is right! Leaving the docks early in the morning can often mean leaving behind the old and embracing the new, an experience that often restores perspective and renews energy for life. So, don't let the new salmon regulations stop you from wild and wonderful experience on BC's west coast. Book a trip today aboard Reel Time Fishing Charters and experience something amazing. See more

Fishing is picking up in Nanaimo! Our four hour trips are averaging 3 to 4 Chinook between the 8 to 12lb range. This run of fish should last well into the month of June so if you are looking for a great time on the water with friends or family, look us up! Chances are good you will make memories that will last forever.

With the dawning of a new year comes the dawning of a new fishing season. Happy New Year everyone! With our boat waiting and ready to go, we are looking forward to another season of good times and good fishing!

The latest vessel for Reel Time Fishing Charters, a 26ft. Hourston Glascraft. With a flybridge, stand-up head, full galley, a cabin heater and more room, I can't wait till next fishing season!

Reel Time Fishing Charters has concluded another season of fishing in Nanaimo and Ucluelet BC. As mentioned in previous posts, 2018 turned out to be the best season to date. The Spring run of Chinook Salmon passing through Nanaimo waters this year (late April/May) was as good as it gets. Salmon and Halibut fishing out of Ucluelet was even better. Late July and early August fishing on the Big Bank (La Perouse Bank) offered fantastic opportunities for Chinook, Coho, Halibut... while late August fishing along the coastline saw record numbers of Chinook along with some great size. All in all, a year to remember! Reel Time Fishing Charters wishes to thank of all you fished with us during the 2018 season. Thank you for being a part of our adventures. And, since 5% of all our charters goes back into salmon conservation, we wish to thank you as well for allowing us to continue our contribution to salmon enhancement in the province of British Columbia. Hope to see you all in 2019. See more