Spout Islet Cove, Hanson Island

The anchorage location is an unnamed cove south of Spout Islet on the north side of Hanson Island, Blackfish Sound, which lies on the north side of the west end of Johnston Strait. Hanson Island offers countless islets, shorelines, nooks, and crannies to explore, beautiful natural scenery, impressive kayaking and dinghy exploration, whale watching and superb fishing.

Blackfish Sound, located approximately 250 miles north of Vancouver, is a large moving water passage situated between Hansen Island and Swanson Island. It is defined by Queen Charlotte Sound to the northwest and Blackney Passage to the southeast. What makes Blackfish Sound so special is the current and tidal cycles, deep depths and cold-water temperatures make for an incredibly oxygen-rich environment where ranging from microscopic to larger-than-life marine can thrive. Including the highest density oof whales on the coast according to Marine Education and Research Society (MERS).

The approach to the anchorage is unobstructed and has room for three or four boats. Set the hook in six fathoms over a good holding sand and gravel bottom. It would also provide protection from the summer afternoon westerlies and any breeze from the south. Should the main anchorage be filled or you’re looking for more privacy, an alternate anchorage for a couple of boats is in a small cove east of 49-meter Islet.

The surrounding rugged shoreline is covered with thick cedar forest with old man’s beard hanging from the tree limbs. The trees are filled with majestic Bald Eagles and there is plenty of sea life to keep you grabbing the binoculars. With a cloudless sky the view back across the sound, the view of the Mirian Range and 1,238-meter Mt. Mathison is spectacular, all making for a wild and scenic setting.

Blackfish Sound is nutrient rich, attracting many species of sea life and wildlife. The sound is recognized as a region of important habitat for residents and transient orcas, mink, and humpback whale, along with porpoise and dolphins. This is the area where the Killer Whale Springer was reunited with her pod in 2002.

From the boat witness, not often but often enough, humpback whale gracefully breaching and flipping its large tail skyward, orca spy hopping, mink whale spout or see birds in a feeding frenzy. A feeding frenzy is when herring ball-up and are pushed to the surface by salmon and other predators and the bird take advantage of the easy prey.

These waters are a holding area for adult salmon and a salmon migration route. It’s also significant for migratory birds like Marbled Murrelets, Mew Gulls, Rhinoceros Auklets, Common Murres, and Phalaropes.

Place a crab trap or two among the islets and coves of Hanson Island to catch some Dungeness crab. The area also provides good opportunities to catch salmon.

Productive locations in the area for Chinook are Flower Island and the westside of Swanson Island; Cracroft Point and “The Wall” on the opposite side of Baronet Passage from Cracroft; Red Point; Whitebeach Point; Donegal Head; and Bold Head. Suggest fishing at a slow speed whole or cut plug herring or Tomic plug at 30 to 60 feet.

For Coho try the areas mentioned above plus along the mouth of Parson’s Bay ensuring to stay outside the fin fish closure. Suggest fishing at a little quicker speed with spoons, hoochies and bucktail flies.

For Sockeye and Pinks try Double Bay or any of the above locations with red or pink gear.

After the sun sinks below the horizon, while sipping on your favorite beverage, do some stargazing to the sound of Mother Nature’s symphony. The plopping of little fish on the surface and the faint calls of diving ducks accented by a whale taking a breath. Listening becomes meditational on the cyclical, perpetual, and timeless sounds of nature.