Reviews of Thunder 1 Adventures (Zoo)

Vicki Austin

My husband, myself and another couple spent four amazing days at sea with the captain and first-mate Doug and Deb Emery. The boat is warm, welcoming, comfortable and sound. Skillfully prepared meals by Deb included fish, shrimp and crabs caught off the back of the boat. (Deb makes a dip that the crabs are dying to get into). We were treated to wonderfully prepared soups, main courses and yummy desserts. My girlfriend and I spent some of our time inside the galley sketching the beautiful scenery while the boys fished and fished and fished and fished... and, of course, we all enjoyed a beverage of choice or two. Caught my very first Halibut, Salmon, Skate and Ling Cod. We very much enjoyed our time with great company, amazing opportunities to watch the whales, see beautiful sunsets and ride on gentle waters. Lovely... just lovely! Great time for two couples that enjoy each other's company. Us girls fished as much or as little as we wanted. Read a book, played some games, took in some rays... sketched a whale. Very relaxing... We look forward to our next excursion!!! Vicki & Larry

Brandon Comfort

Excellent experience. We spent four days with Doug and Deb and they were fantastic. Very welcoming and kind people who made a special effort to make our trip memorable. Thank you.

That Guy Brad

Salmon fishing was a blast! The food was delicious! The weather was out of their control, so dress warm and expect rain, even in the summer. The boat accommodations were excellent, despite the small space.

Tricia Klassen

You will never experience a fishing expedition quite like this. Deb and Doug are superb at what they do. Once on the Thunder 1 you will feel right at home. We were amazed to see whales, Bald Eagles, bears, Sea Lions, the old lighthouse and so much more. From enjoying exquisite meals in a quiet scenic bay to catching salmon, Halibut and Cod just to name a few, you will find yourself a returning customer. I guarantee it! Well worth every penny spent.

Cole Heavenor

When I was 16 I went on a week long fishing trip off the coast of BC. It was an amazing experience. Now as an adult 20 years later and with kids of my own I wanted to get back on the ocean and started to look for a charter that I could possibly make an annual trip with. After extensive research online, we chose Thunder 1 adventures. We couldn’t have made a better choice. This experience has been absolutely amazing. Doug and Deb are such great hosts. The boat is comfortable, Deb’s cooking was so delicious. It didn’t matter what she made, it was so tasty. Doug is very knowledgeable fisherman put us in the fish. We are going home with plenty of fish to fill the freezer we with. This trip is an all around package. Good company, comfortable environment and great fishing. I highly recommend this charter. You will not be disappointed. Thank you Doug and Deb for a wonderful trip!!!

Mike Drury

I have been aboard the Thunder 1 with Doug and Deb multiple times. Last trip was the best halibut fishing yet, with 2 x 70lbs (basically legal maximum @ 130cms) and 1 x 50+lbs. The boat is cozy, dry, and spotless. The fishing area is open and easy to move around in. There is also a covered deck if the weather is not so nice. As for the food - the galley is basically a miniature 4 star restaurant. Doug and Deb are great hosts and guides. I can't wait to come fishing again!

Terry Morgan

I have had the pleasure of hiring the Thunder 1 twice in the last year. On the first occassion we traveled over 500 nautical miles in 8 days, while conducting a survey of north coast waterways. The crew (Doug, Deb, Donnie) were extremely professional and competent mariners and hosts. Deb produced meals that would rival that of the finest high end restaurants anywhere. Doug navigated the Thunder from 07:00-18:00 everyday and made sure to meet the ambitious demands of the survey, and Donnie landed us at several rock piles to complete the tasks required. Not only were Doug and Deb great hosts but I now consider them as valued friends and we get together when possible to share a good glass of wine and swap stories of our travels. If you have a chance you should consider chartering the Thunder 1, you will not be disappointed.

Michael Olsen

We had an awesome time! Doug and Deb were fantastic hosts and so welcoming and fun to be around. Food was excellent, thanks Deb, and Doug was great with the fish. Would highly recommend!

Matt Brown

Awesome fishing trip! Doug and Deb provide great hospitality - Deb's cooking is outstanding and Doug is always doing everything he can to make sure you get he most out of this fishing experience. My dad and I hope to be back soon!

Patrick Smith

Had a great adventure up the Portland Canal with Doug and Deb. This is my second trip with the Thunder One and it was even better the second time! The food was to die for with every kind of seafood you can wish for. All of it right out of the local waters and much of it caught on our trip. Doug was extremely helpful for us novices and helped us catch almost our whole limit...we did catch some awesome Spring Salmon. All in all a fantastic experience and well worth the price! Oh yea, did I mention the food... WOW... and the fun WOW x2... and the Portland Canal provided some of the most spectacular scenery and lots of critters from black bear to porpoise to bald eagles to ... you get it.... I could go on and on... strongly recommended to all!

Christine Jarvis

Absolutely not enough words can express how awesome our vacation was! The boat is a small piece of heaven, the food was fabulous, the fishing was incredible (4 of us caught our limit of salmon and halibut) and the company was the best...hands down! Can't wait to go again next year!

Nathan Landals

The Surerus group got the last trip out for the season. An exceptional time was had by all. Some of the best scenery I've ever seen!! And the fishing was great for late season. Doug and Deb are fantastic hosts!! I highly recommend the bigger boat and the live on experience!! Day boat fishing will never measure up going forward. The food was amazing and the fishing stories and wine topped off the calm nights on the water. We left with a cooler full of fish, good tales of the ones that got away, and new friends. We will be back for sure!! Keep your tip up and your line tight!!!

Joe Son

Great trip to take with excellent hosts! Highly recommend the experience. Fishing was great and the comfort of the boat and surrounding scenery was even better.

Sean Seville

Truly a first class adventure with the Thunder1 and the owners/hosts Doug and Deb. The vessel and gear was meticulously maintained and it was clear that Doug and Deb have excellent knowledge of their boat and the waters in the area. Living aboard means there was no "down time" and we were able to fish all day as well as enjoying some amazing sights and opportunities that we couldn't get at home, such as wildlife displays, fresh crab, prawns and a great variety of fish. Their attention to detail, safety consciousness and hard working nature provided our family with what was truly an unbelievable experience that we will remember for a lifetime. If you are looking for a top level fishing adventure, don't hesitate for a moment - book it, it is exactly as advertised and then some. Thanks again Thunder1 for an awesome experience! Sean, Patty, Harley and Wade S

Ross Baldwin

23 hour flight from Melbourne, followed by a leisurely road trip up the Island to Port Hardy. Overnight stay, 0530 start to the ferry to Prince Rupert, arriving 19 hours later. Where we tired...... jet lagged.... confused.... Yep But the following day, we saw Thunder 1 and met Doug and Deb, and all the head mushiness fell away. Leaving? The start of 4 days and 3 nights of fun, fish, a little frivolity and great food. With the patient and expert tuition from Doug, we filled our limit with Coho, Halibut and a couple of cod. More charming hosts, one could not find anywhere, and this coupled with the awe inspiring scenery, bird and aquatic life almost overcame one's sensual capacity. Even the sea conditions were kind to us, and as the photos, the skies were cloudless and sunny Happy to provide further feedback by email. Just contact through Thunder 1 Now...... to eat the spoils and plan for another trip

Grandin St Germain

Many thanks to Deb and Doug for their hospitality. The boat was clean and spacious. The food was absolutely delectable; don't plan on losing any weight. Weather was challenging in the first week on June, but we still got on the fish and managed to get our limit on halibut and were only one salmon short of our limit. Did I mention the food was excellent? This is a very professional crew and I would recommend them without hesitation.

Norman Armstrong

Thunder 1 Adventures provides a complete fishing or touring experience in one of the most beautiful areas of the Pacific North west. Doug and Deb Emery are very experienced and know how to fish and where to fish to provide clients with rewards of their ventures. The Thunder 1 is a very well appointed vessel which provides excellent accommodation and gourmet meals. Having chartered many times with Thunder 1, and other charters and fishing lodges, we recommend Thunder 1 Adventures be the best charter service on the north coast. Norm and Arlene Armstrong Vernon, B. C.

David Page

It is difficult to imagine a more ideal fishing situation. Carefree, truly blissful days. You know you've got it made when the toughest decision of the day will be when to switch from fresh coffee to cold beer. I have had the pleasure and privilege of being on the Thunder One for four trips and hope to soon make it five. Every time that I speak of my experiences to someone I end up with a different favourite memory. From the rod buckling, reel screaming action to the unbelievable hospitality exhibited all day long by Deb and Doug. The stories at night, the interactions with the wildlife and the completely out of this world food. Three days in one of the most beautiful areas of the world to spending time with special people like Doug and Deb, what more can one ask for.

Marilyn Stevens

Our fishing trip was spectacular all the way around!! Great fishing, great food, great boat and guides, and great weather!! We would highly recommend Thunder 1. No complaints at all and are looking forward to going out with them again next year.

Andrew Skuban

Had a great time caught a 70 pound halibut! Great food! Great guiding and great fishing! Couldn't of had a better trip!!!

Gerald Skocdopole

Excellent Fishing Trip! Very well organized and great communication from Doug and Deb, they made it a seamless trip from arrival to departure. The on board meals were fantastic and we where hosted more like family than guests. Fishing was fantastic considering the early season, even landed a 51 lb halibut!

Don Derksen

After experiencing a recent brothers get away on board Thunder 1 , I would like to give a big shout out to Deb and Doug for an unforgettable experience. With Doug’s skippering skills and fishing experience, we where able to produce a respectable catch at a time many other boats had poor catches. We were shown a variety of beautiful scenic locations and sea life not normally available to us. Deb produced an unbelievable menu, not seen on most other charters I have been on. The meals were excellent. The boat (yacht) was very clean and much more organized than any of my previous charters. The fishing gear was top quality and in tip top shape. I would not hesitate to book again with Deb and Doug, thanks again.

John Marisco

We departed Prince Rupert mid-September for a ten day customized cruise to our final destination of the Comox harbor on Vancouver Island. It was an outstanding experience on so many levels. Our captain, Doug, is a highly experienced coastal mariner with such a wealth of knowledge of coastal life. We had the opportunity to view both humpback and orca whales that included witnessing the humpbacks bubble-feeding. Other highlights included anchorages in pristine, remote coastal locations that are a once-in-a-lifetime experience such as Hakai Pass and Bishops Bay (including a soak in the natural Hot Springs). Another highlight was a visit to the historical coastal community of Ocean Falls. The food on board was fabulous! We were spoiled with an abundance of seafood including lots of fresh caught Dungeness crab. This was a trip of a lifetime and I would highly recommend a trip aboard the Thunder 1 with Doug and Deb!

Cecil James

I have had the opportunity to fish on Thunder 1 with Deb and Doug several times. I think I may have missed only 1 year since they got the boat but will be back there again this spring with my brother in law. The boat has been a perfect size for what has normally been our group of 4 guys from work and we have enjoyed the spacious area of the fishing deck and if need be a place in the shade to enjoy a beer while waiting for another fish to hit a line. The food has always been great and we always looked forward to a crab feast and pulling up the shrimp pots. Nothing like a good day of fishing followed by a hot shower and then a good glass of wine with another great meal with friends and our gracious hosts. Look forward to seeing you again at the end of May!

Murray Jasman

Fabulous live aboard experience, hospitality is the best, Great Food with Whale watching for entertainment. Then the fishing, we had multiple double headers on Coho, sometime 3 rods were active, fish and fishers doing a dance all at the same time. When asked what species of fish we wanted to try for next the "hotspots" did not disappoint. Deb and Doug really provide a great all around experience, well worth the trip! Highly Recommended!!

Bonnie Corey

Absolutely the BEST! EXQUISITE food first class amenities! Exceptional service on our charter! Greatly enjoyed our Halibut and Salmon! Maxed out! We were delighted on our level of service and personal touches. I would highly recommend THUNDER ONE! ????????????????????????????????????????

Grace Stickland

Great first experience! Deb and Doug are gracious and tireless hosts. Rupert was a choice location with good fishing, we stayed in quiet overnight moorages and were cooked stomach pleasing meals.Thanks again

Doug Mills

I have taken two trips on the Thunder 1 with my family and both were simply outstanding experiences. Easily caught our limits of halibut and salmon and had a ton of fun doing it. Doug and Deb are not only living the dream - they are sharing it! Exceptional meals and wonderful company - it doesn't get any better than this.

J Baldwin

After the fantastic trip my in-laws had aboard the Thunder 1 last summer, we decided to snap up a last minute cancellation in July and took our 3 boys on this truly memorable Canadian fishing experience. Doug and Deb are perfect hosts and we came away with 3 happy new fishermen. The awesome salmon and halibut fishing under Doug's expert guidance, pulling up prawn pots for that night's dinner, catching rockfish to feed the resident eagle, Deb's delicious food, spectacular scenery (despite that pesky morning fog) and wildlife spotting are memories that will stay with us for life. And not a phone screen to be seen! We feel privileged to have been shown such a special part of the world by 2 people who have such a passion for it.

richard bell

this for sure is a 5 star charter experience, it does not get any better, good fishing (salmon, spring and coho, halibut, cod) great company, excellent food, Deb and Doug are just a great host the boat is very comfortable and well set up for fishing. for sure we will be back, thanks Doug, Deb Richard Bell

Judy Brown

We just completed another amazing fishing trip (my third time) on the Thunder 1. As always, Doug and Deb were fantastic hosts. We caught our limit every day, and Doug is so knowledgeable and freely (and patiently) shares his knowledge with rookie fisher people like me. I had looked forward to again experiencing Deb's gourmet delights, and the meals were over the top. The four days on the Thunder were most enjoyable - we were thoroughly pampered. Thanks Doug and Deb for my fantastic Birthday celebration dinner - glad I had my big day on the Thunder. Since we have a freezer full of delicious salmon and halibut, we will see you again two years from now (or when we run out - whichever is sooner).

Tricia Rachfall

We wish we could do a 10 star review as this was a trip of a lifetime. Incredible food, amazing fishing, wonderful wildlife and great company. Doug and Deb are fantastic hosts. I can't imagine anyone not having a terrific adventure!

Justin Comfort

Fantastic trip with great company. Deb and Doug were fun to spend the weekend with. Lots of laughs. The fishing was great! Deb’s cooking was amazing! We weren’t hungry for a minute on board. And Doug’s ‘fishy tingle’ was spot on. He knew where all the fish were. Would highly recommend!

Nathaniel Papay

First time salmon fishing and was fortunate to spend 3 nights aboard Thunder 1. It is an incredible boat with hot showers, home cooked meals (fresh crab, salmon, prawns among the delicious meals), awesome hospitality and excellent fishing. Loved the hands-on experience, from pulling in prawn nets, jigging for rockfish each evening in a beautiful cove where we anchored, deep sea halibut fishing, and then the exhilarating salmon fishing. We caught halibut, Coho, Spring and Pink Salmon up to our limits. Loved the challenge of reeling them in. In about 4 hrs of fishing, caught about 20 salmon on the second day. A wild time with bites coming in, one after another. Also saw orca's, porpoises, seals, bald eagles! Deb and Doug are great hosts and very welcoming into their home on the water. Enjoyed their company and lots of laughs throughout the day, rain or shine. Such a unique and special experience. Will be enjoying some good eating now in the coming months

Paul Nelson

I would highly recommend a trip on the Thunder 1. I would doubt you could get a more enjoyable fishing trip anywhere. Even if the fishing wasn’t amazing, which it always has been in my experiences, being on the boat in the company of Doug and Deb is worth the trip alone. You will find unparalleled dining and atmosphere on the boat while Doug and Deb do everything in their power to get you into the fish and ensure your adventure leaves amazing memories.

Robert Lupal

Excellent fishing trip. Entire process from start to finish was very well organized and Deb and Doug are very professional. We couldn't have had better weather or a better fishing experience. The meals were amazing!

Conrad Rusnak

Thanks for a fantastic fishing adventure. Our hosts Doug and Deb were the best! Great fishing, food and adventure. I strongly recommend!! Conrad R

Koleton Chubey

This will be my forth time stepping over the railing of the thunder 1 this coming July and I could not be more excited to see what adventures the ship and crew will bring! A husband and wife operation on a beautiful boat! Excellent fishing accompanied with exquisite food make the days at sea flash by in the blink of an eye! No better rush than having a 30+pound salmon on the line or hauling up a fighting halibut from the depths of the ocean! Best charter experience I have ever been on! Doug and Deb's kindness and senses of humour truly make for a stress free getaway on the northwest Pacific Ocean! Thank you two! If I could put six stars I would! Can't wait for this years trip! I will definitely bring my sea legs and a strong arm to get another tyee hopefully!

Brian Ramstead

Magical. I took my wife and 3 kids...pretty risky since we have zero fishing experience and we all enjoy being near the water but not necessarily on the water. It was truly a Magical experience and many smiles through and through. Doug and Deb went above and beyond (which is natural for them) to provide a fantastic life experience. Beautiful boat, the fishing was amazing as was the scenery, whale watching, jelly fish watching, eagle watching, and star gazing (truly amazing). We caught a good amount of salmon, Halibut, and even some Rock fish and Ling Cod and fresh Scampi (very delicious). To top it off, the food and hospitality was amazing...we now have a few new recipe's thanks to Deb. I've always tried to expose my kids to new experiences as they were growing up, some hits and misses along the way, but I truly nailed this one. My boys want to buy a boat now and do more fishing.