Hi All my name is Greg Dunn and I am the Manager for Schooner Cove Marina and an avid fisherman...Mr Brother Marty and I operate Trophy Pro Ocean adventures, a Charter service out of Schooner Cove... I am pleased to announce that I have Inked a deal with Island Radio, and will be taking over from Larry Snellgrove doing the fishing and weather reports for Island Radio...I will be broadcasting 7 times a day weekends and holidays from 7am -3pm on the WOLF the WAVE and THE BEACH in Qualicum...I will be looking to set up a network of Fishermen from Qualicum to Ladysmith and all points in between to effectively cover the area, and provide accurate and up to date reports throughout the day weekends and hoilidays....If any of the charter operators would like a PLUG on the Fishing report or if anyone else would like to hear, either their name, or the name of their boat, on the radio, please email me fishing reports At gdunn@fairwinds.ca and i will do my best to get this out...I will have my laptop onboard with me and if you want to send pics as well I will post them on Twitter... So please follow me on Twitter as I send out the weather ,tides and lunch specials for the Dockside Cafe at Schooner Cove...looking forward to another season like last year....

Greg: As the manager of Schooner Cove Marina, can you tell us what is happening with the boat launching ramp. We are hearing lots of rumours about it being closed to the general boating public.

The Schooner Cove Neighbourhood (including the Hotel site) is a
designated Urban Containment Boundary under the Regional District of
Nanaimo's Regional Growth Strategy, and has been the subject of a public
planning process for the past 2 years. Under the plan that has evolved,
the boat ramp would be replaced with a jib crane hoist, and access to
the water will be increased through the waterfront boardwalk, seaside
village and trails. The Marina will continue to operate as well. To
learn more about more about the Schooner Cove Neighbourhood Plan, go to
http://www.fairwinds.ca/futuredevelopment/.

Thanks Greg but the question was...will the general public still be able to launch their boats at Schooner Cove. My experience with the crane concept is the cost goes from $10/launch to $110.

It sure seems that the ability to launch boats by trailer as we know it today will no longer exist. There has just been an announcement that the Neighbourhood Plans have been submitted to the RDN. Here's a link to the new website:

http://www.schoonercovelakesdistrict.ca/

Please keep in mind that, however your view the changes that will be made, Greg is only the messenger and in fact is looking to assist local boaters in their fishing endeavours.

Its to bad they are removing it. There is still a launch around the corner at beachcomber but its not very good. It will take alot of business away from schooner i would think.

Hi Greg, I got a nice picture of your boat fishing off Ballenas this summer. I need you email and I will send it over. Murray

I think First Nations has a boat launch down there at the campground in Nanoose Bay ( Snaw'Nawas?). Haven't been down there for a long time tho'.

I get the feeling that those with the money and power had it in for Schooner Cove quite awhile ago. First they practically close off everything directly out front with no-fishing zones...and then decide to take the ramp away. Effectively getting rid of the unwashed local riff-raff and paving the way for a closed hoity-toity upper-end yachts-only marina.

Unlike Ucluelet which actually encourages fisherman of all stripes, the mid-island waterfront seems to be gradually being taken over exclusively by those with the big money and golf clubs.

Once you've passed Brechin Road ramp in Nanaimo ( a very good ramp and service) you practically hit "no-man's " land in terms of ramps until you get to Campbell River or Port Alberni (both towns that encourage the sport fishing trade).

French Creek is not bad....but it's laid out all wrong for parking and trailering...and derbies there are a gong-show for same reason. This ramp was originally built with an emphasis for the commercial fishery I believe and still is.

Having lived in this area since 1964, I've watched as the readily accessible waterfront recreation places got eaten up by developers and home-builders.

Bowser Bill's and Costa Lotta are long gone...sold out to developers.

Clayton's Marina ( right beside Cottam Point) closed years ago.

BeachComber Marina never had any intention of expanding parking there.....the condo's were more important.....and right now they don't like it if you park your trailer beside the office...they want you to park it out on the street in front someplace on the grass berm or farther away.

Many of these marina's used to rent boats for fishing. Beachcomber did at one time....Schooner Cove used to rent 14ft. all-welded Copes.
But...it seems there is apparently no money in catering to us local rod-benders anymore.

Ya mon, If I'm out on this side I will be on 88a.
pm for any other bus.

There is an excellent launch in Comox with ample parking most days.
A good launch at Deep Bay
Another launch at Kitty Coleman Park but only for boats up to 18 feet due to depth. No protection from winds and waves and no where to tie up.
Pacific Play Grounds near the Oyster River and another at Salmon Point a little North of that.