For our summer edition, we are featuring Jeff Easingwood, owner and operator of Clearly Coastal Charters.
On the rugged Northwest coast of British Columbia, nestled between coastal mountains and the Pacific Ocean, you’ll find the charming small city of Prince Rupert. It’s where former RCMP officer and fishing charter operator Jeff Easingwood and his family now call home.
Jeff moved to Prince Rupert from Northern Saskatchewan nine years ago. Like many others, work brought him here through a posting with the RCMP. But what made him stay, and put down deeper roots, was something else entirely. “There’s nowhere else like it,” he says. “The ocean, the fishing, the wildlife, the community. It’s all right here.”
Today, Jeff is part of the City of Prince Rupert’s workforce, and owns and operates Clearly Coastal Charters, a fishing guide business that began as a hobby with friends and grew into much more. He’s also raising a young family with his wife Carissa, a teacher splitting her time between Roosevelt Elementary School and Lax Kxeen Elementary School. “We’re not going anywhere,” Jeff says. “This is a great place to raise kids. We’re here for the long haul.”
Jeff’s story is one of transformation. Coming from landlocked Saskatchewan, the shift to coastal life was a big one. “Life’s different out here,” he says. “Where I’m from, you don’t just wake up and decide to go salmon fishing. Here, the best fishing in the world is right out your back door.”
In Prince Rupert, the ocean is part of daily life. Jeff’s workdays start early — sometimes as early as 4 a.m. during charter season. “We’re on the dock by 5:30 or 6,” he explains. “We start with salmon, and then later switch to halibut depending on the tide. We’re usually back at the dock by 4 p.m. to clean and prep for the next day.”
In his off-hours, Jeff still gravitates to the outdoors. “We love camping, fishing for ourselves, hiking the trails, hitting the waterfront,” he says. Jeff’s favourite outdoor spaces are found on the water — exploring inlets, fishing hidden coves, and watching the wildlife. “There are humpbacks everywhere, orcas passing through. It never gets old,” he laughs. “It’s something you just don’t get in most places.”
To Jeff, one of the biggest misconceptions about living in the Northwest is the idea that it is isolated. “People think we’re in the middle of nowhere,” he says. “But Rupert has everything we need, and then some.” With its own airport, plus another just a couple of hours away in Terrace, and BC Ferries connections to both Vancouver Island and Haida Gwaii, “vacationing is totally accessible,” says Jeff.
Locally, Prince Rupert offers a full range of services. There are two grocery stores — with a brand-new Save-On-Foods coming soon — plus locally owned restaurants and the usual fast-food chains like McDonald’s and Tim Hortons. Some of Jeff’s favourite foodie spots include Arabisk, OV Burger Bar, Opa Sushi, The Crest, Pavilion, and Fukasaku Sushi. “Oh, and the Wheelhouse Brewing Company is always a good stop,” he adds.
The Easingwoods are a busy family. Their two daughters are involved in a range of activities: dance, figure skating, hockey, and more. “It’s a really great place for kids,” he says. “The community is tight-knit, and there’s always something going on.” From minor hockey and indoor soccer to a thriving gymnastics club, there’s no shortage of ways for young people to get involved. “Even more niche things like the Swords and Sorcery Club,” Jeff says with a laugh. “There’s something for every kid.”
He also notes options for adults, too. “I’m in a men’s hockey league and my wife has taken up figure skating lessons.” One of the biggest perks, he adds, is how easy it is to get around. “Everything is five minutes away. It’s a slower pace of life. That’s one of the things I love the most.”
Since Jeff arrived in Prince Rupert nearly a decade ago, he’s seen the community grow and evolve. “There’s been lots of development,” he explains, “and people are investing here.”
That growth isn’t just about new homes and amenities. There are real business opportunities in the region, especially in the trades. “There’s a massive demand for all kinds of services — plumbing, electrical, construction,” Jeff says. “A plumber friend of mine came up for a visit and found work immediately, just through word of mouth.”
The Port of Prince Rupert also continues to expand, creating a wide range of industry-connected jobs and spin-off businesses. “There’s definitely a trickle-down effect,” Jeff says. “And that momentum isn’t slowing down.”
Reflecting on the move he made nearly a decade ago, Jeff is more convinced than ever that choosing Prince Rupert was the right decision. “We’ve got the ocean, mountains, wildlife — humpbacks and orcas are a regular sight,” he says. “We’ve got a great community here, plenty of opportunity, and it’s the kind of place where you can really enjoy life at a comfortable pace.”
For anyone considering a move to Northwest BC, Jeff’s advice is simple: “Do it. If you want a better pace of life, if you want a place where your kids can thrive and you can build something meaningful, this is it.”
To learn more about Jeff’s charter business, Clearly Coastal Charters, visit his website, YouTube and Instagram.
All photos courtesy of Jeff Easingwood.
