2008 Moutch Derby signups are now open

Moutcha signups are now open at
http://www.canadiankayakanglers.com/index.php?page=Moutcha2008
This page is live and will be updated regularly.

Be one of the first 25 to sign up and get entered into a drawing to refund your complete entry fee.

Well, if a decent photo of me couldn't be found, at least you used a decent photo of mine.

Okay so I'm doing a little feasibility study regarding this tournament and I need some more information before I start bringing up the topic with my wife . 

Any idea what the total cost in terms of both money and time this trip might cost?  I realize that gas prices are in flux and mileage may vary, but I thought there was a post somewhere covering this but I can't find it.  So, here's my best guess calculation so far from Portland, OR.

Registration fee: $100
Google maps has it at about 505 miles to Tahsis which I believe is just past Moutcha.  So I'm probably looking at ~$200-250 in gas.
Nonresident Canadian tidal fishing license:3-day=$19.95, 5-day=$32.55
Salmon conservation stamp: $6.30
Ferry Port Angeles<-->Victoria:$100 ($50 each way)

Are there any other fees I haven't thought off:?


Time wise : 
Google maps says 11.5 hrs from Portland to Tahsis, but with ferries running every 4 hrs or so, it might be a bit longer if you don't time it right.  At the very least a very very long day to get up there and a very very long day to get back.  A better scenario would be to for me to visit friends in Victoria on the way up and maybe back, but that eats up another two days of vacation.  So I'm looking at anywhere from 5 to 7 days minimum.

So I think I'm looking at ~$500 and a full week off.  Of course carpooling from Portland would help defer about $200 in costs and maybe a couple travel days.  Does that sound about right?

An alternate plan would be to head up to Seattle first and car pool with someone from Washington.

Anyway, my birthday is the 28th of August, so maybe I can leverage that with the wife.

Brian

B.S.,

Okay, from my perspective (and I've gone up there the last 2 years) your numbers are really right on.  The only thing that you can really cut would be to car pool any portion of it that you can.  If you can get your kayak on your car-top instead of a trailer, that keeps your car at about $100 round trip through Port A.  If you can get your kayak below 7' tall AND on top of your car, then you keep the fare to Nanaimo from Tswassen as low as it's going to get.

You might cut off a vacation day going up at least by staying overnight with anybody in the Seattle area.  Just about any one of the guys on this board would do it, I'm certain of it.  You could get to Seattle after work on Thursday night, and then carpool or caravan from there in the morning.  Yep, this Moutcha thing is nearly always at least a small lesson in sleep deprivation.

If I were you and I was coming up from Portland, I'd still try to use the ferry from Tswassen to Nanaimo.  There's a crossing every 2 hours and if you miss it you can back it up with the crossing to Swartz Bay every 1 hour.  The crossing thru Victoria only runs 3 times a day and the wait is usually a bear without reservations.  Even with the res. you'll need to be there 90 min ahead.  That one will be really, really popular on Monday night.  Best bet is to get reservations where ever you plan to cross and then make damn sure you're in line in time.

One more thought on whether it's worth it (as in, justify it to the better half)... how much would you pay for about 30-40 POUNDS of king salmon meat at the market.  I'd honestly estimate that this is about the amount that the average angler was able to take home last year.  And besides, no way you're merely average.  Right?

Fishin-T

Thanks Fishing-T,

That 30-40 lbs of salmon (considering I've managed a big zero this year for springers) could be a big factor with the wife.   I'm sure I can get her to conceed $10/lb if I can stay away from the "old Tye boots".   Add that cost deferral to some car pooling discount and add in some good behavior all summer and I'll probably be able to go.


Brian

Along the same lines,  i am working the money vs wife factor an this one also.  can I get there with out the ferry?  time wise for me it would not be much different if I drove through Seattle vs having to drive 101 up to the ferry.  Also how are the conditions up there?  is it a semi easy paddle or are conditions crap? 

Carl

Along the same lines,  i am working the money vs wife factor an this one also.  can I get there with out the ferry?  time wise for me it would not be much different if I drove through Seattle vs having to drive 101 up to the ferry.  Also how are the conditions up there?  is it a semi easy paddle or are conditions crap? 

Carl

Sorry, being on Vancouver island w/ no bridges the only way over is ferries. The conditions @ Moutcha Bay are similar to a large lake. It's really protected w/ high mountains that keep the wind at bay. The paddle is about about 2 miles which is easy enough for newbs. Really, just an insanely great setup to catch fish.

Z

Z 

H.H.,

No matter what ferry you use, it's going to cost you very close to $100/car for a round trip to the island.  Myself, I've used that Port A. ferry many times and it's probably my favorite ride over to the island.  But you really REALLY want a reservation on that one on this busy weekend and even then you sure better be in line not one minute less than 90 minutes before sailing time.

The things to think about for the ferries are stuff like departure frequencies and vehicle height rules.  The Canuck ferries run way more often, but your total rig can't be over 7' or you pay just about double.  Close to the same double price if you use a trailer.  The P.A. ferry only runs 3 times, every 4 hours.  But your total rig can be as high as 14' and they don't care.

Oh, yeah.... in the two years that I've gone up there, the water conditions where we'll be making our 2 mile paddle have never been anything but way WAY easy, every single day.  I'd sure count on rain, but probably virtually NO chop.  Well, okay... no chop except for Z's rooster tail wake at dawn.

Hope that helps some.

Fishin-T

The things to think about for the ferries are stuff like departure frequencies and vehicle height rules.  The Canuck ferries run way more often, but your total rig can't be over 7' or you pay just about double.  Close to the same double price if you use a trailer.  The P.A. ferry only runs 3 times, every 4 hours.  But your total rig can be as high as 14' and they don't care.

I think last year we were over 7' and we didn't get tagged for overheight.  Got lucky?  Not sure ...

-Allen

virtually NO chop.  Well, okay... no chop except for Z's rooster tail wake at dawn.
Fishin-T

And this year I'll have the Adventure w/ turbo fins!!

Z

The things to think about for the ferries are stuff like departure frequencies and vehicle height rules.  The Canuck ferries run way more often, but your total rig can't be over 7' or you pay just about double.  Close to the same double price if you use a trailer.  The P.A. ferry only runs 3 times, every 4 hours.  But your total rig can be as high as 14' and they don't care.

I think last year we were over 7' and we didn't get tagged for overheight.  Got lucky?  Not sure ...

-Allen

I think my rig is right about 7'-1" or 7'-2" with my shallow hulled P-15 on top of my fairly tall Isuzu Trooper.  I've had them charge me and I've also slipped past.  Literally luck of the draw.. depends on who's minding the gate.  Thier rule says 7' and over pays almost double.  The American ferries give you 7'-6".

Fishin-T

thanx for the height restriction warning on the ferries.. still not sure if i can make this or not due to return times from work related travel in aug. .. as Z, pole, GBS, and others who saw me @ drano know, my PT15 on top of my truck is way taller than 7 ft. so i'll have to look for a different way of carrying it. anyone know of a local [ sea-tac-puyallup areas] company selling low profile utility racks? i have an idea in mind.. 

Im trying to pull this off, but like steve, weighing the cost. Hope to make it.

skyboy

Im trying to pull this off, but like steve, weighing the cost. Hope to make it.

skyboy

Skyboy,

If you can find a ride to share, you can cut most of your expenses at least in half.  (Hint, hint)  Hope you can make it one way or the other.

Fishin-T

Im trying to pull this off, but like steve, weighing the cost. Hope to make it.

skyboy

Nice. I'm pulling for ya!

Z