Port Alberni sits at the head of Vancouver Island's longest inlet, and is actually a saltwater port - 40 km from the west coast! For years Port Alberni's main industries have been mining and logging, but today the town is converting itself into a major tourist hub.
Port Alberni, Gateway to the Pacific Rim Nation Park is the jumping off point to Ucluelet, Tofino and spectacular Long Beach heading west. Port Alberni is also the starting point of a unpaved road to the village of Bamfield, and the start of the famous West Coast Trail. The Alberni inlet is located between these 2 routes.
Port Alberni is the Salmon Capital of the World - adjacent waters boast all five species of Pacific salmon. The harbour front has a number of fishing related businesses and is definitely one of the major hubs for angling on Vancouver Island. Port Alberni's harbour is also one of the best resource centres for information on fishing locally for both saltwater and freshwater.
People come to Port Alberni year-round to sport fish the Alberni Inlet and Barkley Sound for Chinook, Coho, and Sockeye salmon. Timing is critical if you wish to take advantage of their being there. One day they're here; the next, they're gone, so plan accordingly. In general, the Alberni Inlet and Barkley Sound does offer constant fishing opportunities.
To make sure that the fish continue the Robertson Creek Hatchery officially opened in 1960. At the time it was the largest artificial spawning channel in North America, and is still the most successful hatchery on Vancouver Island. The hatchery produces nearly ten million smolts annually; chinook salmon, coho salmon and steelhead trout. The hatchery is open on a daily basis from 08:00 to 16:00. You can find the hatchery by driving through Port Alberni on Highway 4 and turn right on Great Central Lake Road; follow the signs to the hatchery.
Roughly 160 species of birds have been seen on the land that is part of the Somass Estuary project. This estuary is a key feeding and resting area for thousands of Pacific Coast waterfowl, the most notable being Trumpeter Swans. Comprised of intertidal marshes, mudflats, forested islands and lowland meadows, the estuary lies at the head of the narrow 40-km-long Alberni inlet.
The residents found at the Estuary project include the Trumpeter Swan, Canada Geese and many species of ducks. The Estuary teems with other wildlife including, Black Bears, Bald Eagles, Black-tailed Deer, Beavers, Mink, Harbour Seals, as well as 5 species of Salmon. This property was purchased by Ducks Unlimited, and a variety of other government and local organizations to protect it from development and to protect the fish and bird habitat.
Journey back in time and experience the heritage of the British Columbia's forest industry at the McLean Mill National Historic Site. There is a restored sawmill with houses, out buildings, a dam, and a mill pond on site. The site is open to the public year round. However, the mill demonstrations, theatre presentations, and tours operate from May to September only.
Port Alberni, Gateway to the Pacific Rim Nation Park is the jumping off point to Ucluelet, Tofino and spectacular Long Beach heading west. Port Alberni is also the starting point of a unpaved road to the village of Bamfield, and the start of the famous West Coast Trail. The Alberni inlet is located between these 2 routes.
Port Alberni is the Salmon Capital of the World - adjacent waters boast all five species of Pacific salmon. The harbour front has a number of fishing related businesses and is definitely one of the major hubs for angling on Vancouver Island. Port Alberni's harbour is also one of the best resource centres for information on fishing locally for both saltwater and freshwater.
People come to Port Alberni year-round to sport fish the Alberni Inlet and Barkley Sound for Chinook, Coho, and Sockeye salmon. Timing is critical if you wish to take advantage of their being there. One day they're here; the next, they're gone, so plan accordingly. In general, the Alberni Inlet and Barkley Sound does offer constant fishing opportunities.
To make sure that the fish continue the Robertson Creek Hatchery officially opened in 1960. At the time it was the largest artificial spawning channel in North America, and is still the most successful hatchery on Vancouver Island. The hatchery produces nearly ten million smolts annually; chinook salmon, coho salmon and steelhead trout. The hatchery is open on a daily basis from 08:00 to 16:00. You can find the hatchery by driving through Port Alberni on Highway 4 and turn right on Great Central Lake Road; follow the signs to the hatchery.
Roughly 160 species of birds have been seen on the land that is part of the Somass Estuary project. This estuary is a key feeding and resting area for thousands of Pacific Coast waterfowl, the most notable being Trumpeter Swans. Comprised of intertidal marshes, mudflats, forested islands and lowland meadows, the estuary lies at the head of the narrow 40-km-long Alberni inlet.
The residents found at the Estuary project include the Trumpeter Swan, Canada Geese and many species of ducks. The Estuary teems with other wildlife including, Black Bears, Bald Eagles, Black-tailed Deer, Beavers, Mink, Harbour Seals, as well as 5 species of Salmon. This property was purchased by Ducks Unlimited, and a variety of other government and local organizations to protect it from development and to protect the fish and bird habitat.
Journey back in time and experience the heritage of the British Columbia's forest industry at the McLean Mill National Historic Site. There is a restored sawmill with houses, out buildings, a dam, and a mill pond on site. The site is open to the public year round. However, the mill demonstrations, theatre presentations, and tours operate from May to September only.
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2 comments:
A nice upbeat column about our our town. Thank you.
A nice upbeat column about our our town. Thank you.
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