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Header Photo: @currentspaces
As the owner of Tofino Ocean Adventures, Brody Pigeau is reimagining the traditional West Coast fishing charter model.
An avid snowboarder from Ontario, Brody caught a red-eye flight to the West Coast the day he finished high school, landing first in Whistler and eventually in Tofino on Vancouver Island.
"I fell in love with the ocean," he says. "It was so foreign to me, and that was part of the draw."
There, a fluke encounter with a local seasoned fishing guide, Josh Temple, changed his life. Josh hired Brody to run a second guide boat and mentored him in fishing. Most guides get their start in the industry working out of remote lodges; Brody was especially grateful for the opportunity to do so while sleeping in the comfort of his own bed every night.
"He recognized my passion for the water and taught me along the way," says Brody.
After a few years under his guidance, Josh pushed Brody to go out and get his own boat—Tofino Ocean Adventures was born. Running his own business has allowed Brody to think outside the box about how he wants to make his career sustainable.
Photo: @currentspaces | Brody wearing Taku Waterproof bibs
The first thing he asks clients is what they want from their trip. Do they just want to catch fish, or do they want to take in the beauty of the place—and maybe catch some fish along the way? More often than not, they choose the latter.
"If people are just here for the meat, I tell them to go to the grocery store," he says with a smile. "It's a lot cheaper."
Brody isn't a fan of the take-all-you-can mentality that often comes with the industry. He prefers to educate people about the fishery and sees charters as a meaningful way to do that. By diversifying what he offers, he ensures that clients can still have an incredible day on the water even if the fish aren't biting. Sometimes, the highlight isn't landing a big Spring salmon—it's hearing the exhale of a passing whale, feeling salt air on their skin, or watching a mother bear and her cubs stroll the shoreline.
Photo: Pulling in the crab trap @kylervos
"I take them for granted sometimes, but these are such beautifully special things to introduce to someone visiting," he says.
Despite finding his niche clientele, one thing still nagged at him. Charters aren't accessible to everyone—they're a privilege. That's why, three years ago, he and his friend Jake Fine co-founded Tofino Adventure Camp, a program that connects youth from marginalized communities with the wild beauty of the West Coast.
"There's a big demographic of people who never get the opportunity to get on a boat or to catch their own food," he says. "My dad was into boating, so I grew up around them, which is such a privilege. That's why I'm passionate about curating those experiences for people that wouldn't normally have it and eliminating the financial barriers."
Photo: @miraecampbell | Go Fish Series
Tofino Adventure Camp partnered with The Chill Foundation—a nonprofit founded by the creators of Burton Snowboards—for its first two years. Chill uses board sports to empower young people and foster a more inclusive outdoor community.
Most recently, the camp has partnered with Nawalakw, a social venture and charitable organization operating within the Kwakwa̱ka̱ʼwakw territories of Alert Bay and Hada. Nawalakw focuses on language and cultural revitalization, environmental stewardship, and community well-being.
Over the past few years, dozens of kids from Alert Bay, Vancouver and the Lower Mainland have attended the camp, fishing, surfing, whale watching, and exploring. Attendees have been new immigrants experiencing their first campfire or seeing an unpolluted night sky for the first time in Clayoquot Sound.
Photo: @kylervos | The basics of surfing
Hosting these camps in the middle of his busy season isn't the most financially lucrative business decision. But for Brody, it's about something bigger.
"The reward I get from it is worth more than any amount of money in my bank account," he says. "That's why I keep doing it."
Brody and his partner Dominique are also making waves with her Go Fish series. Through her company, Natural Freedom, Dominique creates outdoor learning spaces for women in traditionally male-dominated activities—including fishing.
"Just like the camps, it's all about giving people an opportunity they might not otherwise have," Brody says. "And hopefully, sparking a new passion, understanding, or hobby."
The Go Fish series has been a massive success, with over 60 women signing up each year. Last year, the event sold out in under an hour.
Despite the countless hours he spends on the water—whether running charters, hosting camps, or teaching women to fish—Brody's love for the ocean hasn't faded. He's still out on his boat or surfboard every chance he gets, no matter the season.
"The day I don't love being on the water is the day I stop doing all of this," he says. "At this point, I feel weirder on land than on the ocean."
Photo: @rocksandwoodco | Brody prepping for a day out in Men's Taku Waterproof Bib
Even in peak season, after a ten-hour charter and a full boat cleanup, Brody will gather some friends or locals who don't usually get out on the water and take them out for an evening cruise or bite.
"At the end of the day, I just want people to truly see this place," says Brody. "It's easy to get caught up in screens these days, but there's nothing like being out on the water. Especially in today's world, that connection to nature is more important than ever."
Author – Danielle Baker
