On The Water with Haida Gold: Chartering A Different Perspective of The Herring Spawn

Over the weekend we’d been glued to the weather, tracking every shift and hoping for a window to get out on the water. Robin and I had been coordinating logistics with Mike from Haida Gold Ocean Adventures to charter a boat and catch what was left of the Parksville spawn before it faded out completely. The weather wasn’t cooperating and our schedules were a mess – but we knew this was our last real shot.

So we did what we always do. Dropped everything, grabbed our bags, and hit the road.

We made our way to Fairwinds Marina in Nanoose Bay in a hurry, and as soon as we arrived Mike greeted us with a big smile and an energy that matched ours. You could tell he was just as excited to get out there. A quick exchange of the game plan, and we were walking down the dock, loading up, and getting ready to launch.

Setting Out Into the Salish Sea

I set up the GoPro and 360 cameras before launching the drone as we made our way out of the marina and worked our way north into the Salish Sea. Capturing aerial footage of a moving target is always a challenge – trying to balance on the back of a boat while crafting cinematic compositions on choppy water with tight timelines can easily become a recipe for disaster. On-board takeoffs and landings on a rough day elevate that risk even more. But that’s part of the thrill.

We quickly made our way past the small islands and into the bay off Parksville Beach, where a handful of fishing boats were still working through the last of the French Creek spawn. Bird activity was everywhere – and I mean everywhere. In every direction, swarms of gulls circled, dove and looped again. From the water it’s a completely different experience. You’re right in the middle of it.

In the distance I could see the treeline on Parksville Beach where eagles soared in large sweeping loops, diving from the towering pines down to the water and back again. Our eyes scanned far across the horizon hoping for a pod of orcas to pass through – but today wasn’t the day for that.

The choppy waves, overcast sky, and drizzle of rain might not have helped our chances of seeing incredible amounts of wildlife, but it’s just a reminder of how dynamic and wild the journey is along the way. Not every day delivers the perfect conditions – and there’s beauty in that too.

A Side Quest Worth Every Minute

We decided to start making our way back with a special side quest along the way.

As we arrived to Northwest Bay and reduced our speed to a drift, we saw something in the water. A few sea lions bobbing and playing, poking their heads out with curiosity before disappearing again. As we continued deeper into the bay the barking grew louder.

And then we saw it.

Along the forest logging collection, hundreds of sea lions and seals laid sprawled out on massive tree logs – soaking in whatever sun broke through, arguing about who knows what, and barking their authority for all to hear. It was remarkable. They floated on these enormous logs as a local mini barge bobbed nearby and a large hauler dropped another set of trees into the water.

There’s something conflicting about that perspective – watching so many logs that were once towering, beautiful trees now processed and floating while these incredible creatures make them their resting place. Nature adapting to the changes around it in real time.

Even after many years of seeing sea lions, their sheer size still catches you off guard. The largest ones are breathtaking – and being this close on the water changes everything.

More Than Just Wildlife

As we made our way back to the marina, I still felt a deep sense of appreciation. Even coming up short on the orca encounter, getting out to seek these experiences is what it’s all about. Connecting with Mike, hearing his story – how fascinating his journey has been, his history and passion for being on the water, the knowledge he carries. Learning about his wood carving passions outside of guiding excites me. Seeing people pursue creativity through multiple mediums and being able to connect with them personally is one of the beautiful things I’ve found since being on the island.

There’s this incredible level of excitement, joy and passion that people here have for where they live and what they do. And when they share that with others it’s contagious – a ripple effect that we carry on and pass forward.

We might not have gotten the dramatic orca encounter or the perfect blue sky day. But we got something just as valuable – a completely different perspective of the herring spawn, an incredible wildlife experience up close, and a genuine connection with someone who lives and breathes these waters.

That’s what makes it worth chasing.