From: "E. Sullivan" <sullivaned_at_pop.mts.kpnw.org> > I'm going looking for Orcas mid-May. Can somebody suggest > some likely spots? Yes, I know the currents are knarlsome. Hi, May is not the best time to spot orcas in Johnstone Strait. It is my experience that they do not become reliably present in large numbers until near the end of June, with the end of July to the end of September being the very best times (but of course you also have tend with all the people). That being said you could still very likely see some residents and/or transients orcas. Last May I also believe a Humpback cow and calf were spotted in the Robson Bight area for a few days. Assuming that you will begin your paddle form the Telegraph Cove area I think the best place to camp to improve your odds of seeing orcas would be anywhere from Kaikash Creek (a forestry service camp site that has a solar powered composting toilet) south to Robson Bight (please note that you can't actually enter Robson Bight). Kaikash Creek is at the centre of some typical routes that the orcas travel in the summer months. If they are traveling between Robson Bight and up the strait past Telegraph Cove they will swim by here and if they are traveling out to Blackfish Sound through Blackney Passage you can also see them from this spot. It has been my most reliable spot to see orcas with them sometimes coming within 20 feet of the shore. There are also many smaller pebble beaches south of Kaikash Creek that are ideal camping spots for individuals or smaller groups. A route that I have done a few times is to paddle along the strait and camp somewhere in the Kaikash Creek area and then the next day continue paddling down towards Robson Bight and then cross the strait to the Sophia Islands. >From here you can find a couple of places to camp in Growler Cove on West Cracoft Island. From here you can either head back across the strait , go through Blackney Passage to Blackfish Sound or paddle across the entrance of Blackney Passage to Hanson Island and paddle along it's shoreline. If you are going to see transient orcas the best chances are the Sophia Islands and the Plumper Islands at the west end of Hanson Island where they will be on the lookout for some nice plump seals. Another possible spot for transients (or marine mammals in general) would be the many islets at the northwest end of Swanson Island. For those reading that aren't aware of the "knarlsome" currents, Blackney Passage and Weynton Passage are best paddled close to slack tide. If you are thinking of crossing the strait and going into Blackfish Sound or visiting Village island I would suggest finding a camp site facing Blackfish Sound as you may still see orcas or other marine mammals swimming by. I have never seen orcas in Village or Indian Channels. But once again you never know where they may turn up. Consider having your VHF on scan mode when paddling so that you can listen to any reports of whales in the area either from whale watching boats, fisherman or pleasure boaters. If you stop by Stubbs Whale watching in Telegrpah Cove you can find out where they have had any viewings over the past couiple of days. I have never visited but there is also an orca lab on Hanson Island just a little south of Burnt Pt. One last thought is to bring a hydrophone. If you do come across some orcas it is wonderful to sit back in your kayak and listen as well as watch them. If you don't have a hydrophone you can rent one from North Island Kayaks ( http://www.island.net/~nikayak/ ) for something like $5 a day. Hope this helps, Andrew ______________________________ Kingfisher Wilderness Adventures Ltd. North Vancouver, BC, Canada info_at_kingfisher-adventures.com www.kingfisher-adventures.com Toll Free: 1-866-kingfisher ( 546-4347 ) Phone: 604-831-6180 Fax: 604-831-6148 ______________________________ *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************Received on Mon Apr 30 2001 - 14:27:33 PDT
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