To reach Head Bay, head toward Tahsis from Gold River and drive past the Conuma River Fish Hatchery. The Conuma River Hatchery is located at the head of the Tlupana Inlet on the west coast of Vancouver Island. It is four kilometres upstream of the Conuma River Estuary.
It was originally designated as a chum enhancement facility in 1978; since then, it has evolved into a major Chinook, Chum and Coho enhancement facility. The hatchery annually releases about 3.5 million sea pen-reared Chinook smolts into five different watersheds and estuaries in the Nootka Sound area. The hatchery also rears Chum and Coho in the Conuma River and Chum in the Tlupana, Canton and Sucwoa rivers. In addition to these watersheds, they also work to enhance both the Gold River and Burma River Chinook runs. They have helped the Tahsis Volunteer Salmon Enhancement Society in the past and believe that working with these small organizations is an important part of their operations, and are quite happy to continue to help.
The best times to visit this facility are from September to October. That is during the adult capture and egg-take processes. Or from March to June, when juveniles are reared and released into the Conuma River. All visits must be arranged, you can contact them for a tour booking.
The first bay you will see is Moutcha Bay, where the Conuma River Estuary is located. Keep going and you will see Head Bay. Head Bay at this point is pretty nice. As you leave the shore of Head Bay, you will begin to follow the Sucwoa River. Follow this until you come to a bridge crossing the river. Look up the river, where you will see a beautiful waterfall.
Immediately after crossing, you will see a road on the left, which will take you down to the west shore of Head Bay.
The bay has been used for logging and booming for many years. But in recent years, it has been expanding its tourism possibilities. The Moutcha Bay Lodge, just across the bay, is and has been very successful; there are opportunities to go salmon fishing here. Plus, various companies that offer kayaking tours have also been growing; most are based out of Tahsis, which is just down the road.
Tahsis is located on the west coast of Vancouver Island. There is a good gravel road that runs from Gold River to Tahsis. You can go fishing, both fresh and saltwater fishing, or you can go kayaking, caving, mountain climbing or wildlife viewing. It is a wilderness paradise and one of the prettiest places on the island.
Tahsis itself is beautiful. There are breathtaking mountain views, some of the best caves on the island, and world-class wildlife viewing. The area offers Climbers and cavers some of Vancouver Island’s best caving, climbing, and bouldering, including the Leiner Bouldering Trail. Two local cave systems are Upana Caves, located along the Tree to Sea Drive, just before Bull Lake Summit, coming from Gold River, and Coral Cave, located high on the mountainside overlooking the town of Tahsis.