Weather: Here are links to a couple of sites we find useful for weather: Gold River weather Marine Forecast Estevan Point Web Cam at Estevan Point Satellite weather images Tides: If you're using the Gold River boat launch, note the ramp is in the river and is affected by the tides. You'll want to avoid the boat ramp any time there is less than 3 feet of water. Nootka Tides Fishing licenses: To save the time and paperwork at Critter Cove, we recommend you get your fishing license on line and print them out before you come: Buy a salt water fishing license Fishing Regulations: Note, Nootka Sound is area 25 (or 125 off shore) DFO Packaging your catch regulations Boat Storage in Gold River: We often get asked about facilities to store boats in Gold River for those fishermen who like to make several Critter Cove trips. We suggest Bill's Locked storage and you can reach Debbie and Rob to discuss at 250 283 7460. Conuma Hatchery - here's all about the hatchery in Nootka: conuma Pacific Salmon Foundation:  Garbage: When planning your trip, please plan to reduce your waste. We bring everything in and out by boat- so we really appreciate it when as little possible is left behind. Dogs: Visiting pets are not welcome at Critter Cove. There are two dock dogs that help keep the varmints at bay, but visiting pets are not allowed on the docks or in the rooms. Smoking: There is no smoking on any docks or in any rooms at Critter Cove. Guests are welcome to smoke on their own boats. We're a long way from the fire department, so we are extremely sensitive to fire hazards. Camp cookouts on your deck: Gas barbecues and cook stoves are welcome - briquettes, smokers and deep fryers are not. Since the decks and docks are made of wood and flammable floatation, we want to reduce the fire risk from cooking. Jerry Can storage: Gas storage anywhere but in your own boat is strictly forbidden. Not only is gas a fire hazard, it melts the floatation if spilled on it. No feeding the Bears!  We've never had an incident with the bears - so let's keep it that way. We often see them ambling along the beach. There's no need to feed them because they stop to eat the starfish and other small creatures. There are plenty of viewing opportunity without baiting the bears, so let's not be foolish. Generators: Portable generators are not welcome. There are power outlets in the Cottages, Beach Houses and Lodge rooms. There are outlets in the public washrooms for blow dryers. If you need an appliance charged we're happy to charge items at the front desk for you. Curfew: Since most of our guests get up with the sun to go fishing, we ask that camp is quiet by 10. The power stays on all night - so it's not "lights out", but anything above quiet conversation is not welcome. Birds of Nootka: Critter Coves winter site watchman Joe keeps an eye out for visiting birds. Here's a list of the birds he's identified so far: 1 Double-Crested Cormorant 2 Great Blue Heron 3 Trumpeter Swan 4 Glaucous-Winged Gull 5 Bonaparte's Gull 6 Mew Gull 7 Olive-Sided Flycatcher 8 Red-Tailed Hawk 9 Sharp-Shinned Hawk 10 Bald Eagle 11 Northern Pygmy-Owl 12 Common Raven 13 Northwestern Crow 14 Steller's Jay 15 Brewer's Blackbird 16 Brown-Headed Cowbird 17 Golden-Crowned Sparrow 18 White-Crowned Sparrow 19 Savannah Sparrow 20 Fox Sparrow 21 Song Sparrow 22 Spotted Towhee 23 American Robin 24 Rufous Hummingbird 25 Barn Swallow 26 Dark-Eyed Junco 27 Band-Tailed Pigeon 28 Belted Kingfisher 29 Golden-Crowned Kinglet 30 Orange-Crowned Warbler 31 Yellow Warbler 32 Yellow-Rumped Warbler 33 Wilson's Warbler 34 McGillivray’s Warbler 35 Hairy Woodpecker 36 Pileated Woodpecker 37 Northern Flicker-Red-Shafted. 38 Red-Breasted Sapsucker 39 Spotted Sandpiper 40 Western Grebe 41 Red-Necked Grebe 42 Pied-Billed Grebe 43 Common Loon 44 Mallard 45 Surf Scoter 46 Bufflehead 47 Barrow's Goldeneye 48 Common Goldeneye 49 Hooded Merganser 50 Common Merganser 51 Dunlin 52 Surfbird 53 Black Turnstone 54 Common Murre 55 American Wigeon 56 Greater Scaup 57 Osprey 58 Ruffed Grouse 59 Winter Wren 60 Cedar Waxwing 61 Warbling Vireo 62 Chestnut-Backed Chickadee 63 European Starling 64 Western Screech-Owl 65 Red-Breasted Nuthatch 66 Bewick's Wren. Back to top of page |