Friday, April 29, 2016

2016-04 Up the Salish Sea, into Discovery Passage and Johnstone Strait

Wednesday, April 27th, 2016: Comox to Small Inlet

Once again this morning we got started early, leaving Comox in our wake by 7AM.  Once across the Comox Bar, we turned towards Cape Mudge, Campbell River and Discovery Passage.  We had a date with the Seymour Narrows rapids at 11:30AM when the strong currents would be pushing Wild Blue at 8 knots for a total of 16 knots across the bottom!

As usual a ride with the rapids is full of twists and turns as the auto-pilot fights for control. As the boat moves north further from the Narrows, the rapids lose their influence over Wild Blue, and the auto-pilot regains full control of our course.


At little after noon, about 7 nm north of the Narrows, we turn right into Kanish Bay for the Small Inlet anchorage.  On the way, we set two crab traps just inside the Inlet's entrance, and finally the anchor near the inlet head.  A few hours after lunch we check the traps and harvest the day's limit, resetting for tomorrow's crab catch.

Sid displays a BIG spring Dungenous

Ready to enjoy

Thursday, April 28th, 2016: Small Inlet to Blind Channel Resort

We expected a long day of motoring up Discovery Passage and into Johnstone Strait so an 8AM start allowed us to see the fetch the crab traps and get motoring. We once again counted our daily limit of four large male Dungeness, tossing back another six large crabs.  We boiled water with crab boil seasoning and enjoyed the sweet aroma of seafood as we cruised.

Turn Island is at the intersection of Discovery Passage and Johnstone Strait. We met Murray, the island's owner in Vancouver earlier this year.  We steered Wild Blue between Turn and East Thurlow Islands looking to see if Murray was around.  He wasn't so we continued on a westerly course up Johnstone Strait.

Turn Island at the intersection of Discovery Passage and
Johnstone Strait

The 10:30 am weather forecast indicated building wind and waves, so we opted for a night at Blind Channel resort.  It was just a right turn and a short distance off the Strait.  We were the lonely early season visitor to the Resort.  Because it was so peaceful, and a 35 knot wind warning was up, we decided to stay a second night.
The only boat in Blind Channel
Sid and Ginny Findley hiked the trails of Blind Channel.

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