I began guiding the Nootka Island area 20 years ago. Prior, I fished both fresh and saltwater all up and down the Province of British Columbia, including extensively fishing steelhead and trout; fly fishing and float fishing as many lakes and rivers as time would permit me. I have also salt water fished all along the West Coast primarily mooching with live and cut plugged bait. My guiding career has spanned more than 40 years encompassing all sport fish species throughout.
Timing
The best time to fish salmon in the Esperanza Inlet area is from June through September. Experience has shown limits are common throughout these months with each having its' own novel opportunities. June is great because the Chinook are feisty and hungry. July and August have good concentrations of both Coho and Chinook. Halibut and ground fish are available throughout this time period.
Best times basically come down to personal preference. For me, I love anytime fishing but September's Northern Hook Nosed wild and crazy Coho are in close and on the surface making this my personal favourite time of year. The bottom line is we have lots of bait and if you find the bait you find the fish!!!
Location
What I look for while fishing salmon are features of kelp beds and rock out croppings. In other words, those areas that bait fish like to accumulate or are trapped against while the salmon go through feeding frenzies. Halibut and large ling can be found along sandy or gravel drop offs. We look for features such as reefs creating "lumps and bumps" and fish the edges staying away from jagged features.
Tactics
My favourite method for salmon fishing is a lazy cut plug herring for trophy Chinook and a faster and smaller bait for Coho. Coho are also available buck tailing, skip fly or casting flies (when found in concentrations). This feisty fighter is an active surface feeder and can be extremely aggressive when on the bite. Other methods include anchovies and hootchies with flashers, fished at depths ranging from 20 to 200 ft. depending on where you are in the area. Jigs and spreader bars with bait is the favorite method while pursuing halibut and other ground fish. And finally, do not ignore opportunities as they present themselves, jumping salmon offshore could be sockeye!! Bait balls on the surface, something is chasing it - could be not only salmon, but sharks, seals or whales all adding to the excitement of the chase.
Bait
Herring, in the colour codes of blues and greens, properly brined and cut makes all the difference. Anchovies in the plastic holders ensure a nice spinning, rolling action. Hootchies in green tones. As someone said to me, it doesn't matter what colour hootchie you use as long as it is green!!!! Same for jigs, green highlights are very popular. Sizes of your presentation should be in the range of the bait fish you are trying to imitate. "Match the hatch" is the rule of thumb.
Thoughts on Salmon Fishing
Salmon maintain my interest the most because even though their tiny brain shouldn't be a challenge, they are!!!Some days you figure you've got them figured only to have them try to outsmart you the next. There is no other excitement in the world that compares to pitting yourself against these formidable challengers. The sense of accomplishment is being able to come up with the right menu presentation at the right moment and for me that is the thrill of the sport and what keeps me anticipating the next chase. I still think I have the greatest job in the world.
Memorable Salmon Fishing Moment
Over the years many encounters stand out. I have great memories of steelhead fishing such as the day I landed a 30 lb steelhead in the Thompson River in 1972. Every summer has its own outstanding adventures and memories. Just this past summer while out with a fishing partner, Perry Walker, one of those unfolded at Ferrer Point.It was not a particularly large Chinook that hooked on the line, but one that had no intention of ever being landed. His long runs which seemed never ending, the continuous jumps, the brilliant bright glistening body, which looked jewel encrusted in the bright sun rays were breathtaking. It held the hook for what seemed like an eternity but never got close to the boat. The action never stopped until finally it shook the hook. Those moments after such a long battle are so exhilarating and your true hope is that it was not last years spawn and will be back to fight again the next year.
IN THE BOAT with MASTER ANGLER GREG McINROY
Having fished from Campbell River all the way south to Victoria and guided the west coast of Vancouver Island from Nitinat to Winter Harbour. My favourite areas are the outside of Nootka Island, the mouth of Esperenza Inlet and the waters offshore.My career as a guide began 1986 in Barkley Sound and led me to Nootka Sound in 1993 where I have been since. I have also been a licensed Freshwater Angling Guide the last 19 consecutive years focusing on river fishing salmon and summer run steelhead in the fall and winter run steelhead December through March.
My fishing history began before starting elementary school. A garden worm on a small safety pin,string for line and a willow for a rod. The creek which flowed through my parents back yard was a constant source of recreation.
Timing
The first week of June through the last weeks of September are the best times to fish Nookta Sound. There are opportunities other times of the year but weather then is a factor.
Location
To me choosing the right location is even more important than what you use for salmon or halibut fishing. You can’t catch them if they aren’t there; so having an experienced guide who is familiar with the waters and feeding patterns really helps here.
Tactics & Bait
Once you choose where, then make the choice of baits or lures. For water shallower than 70 feet I prefer herring or anchovy by themselves or behind a flasher. In deeper water I find artificials such as hootchies and spoons or even a plug work better. A faster trolling speed enables you to cover offshore areas better to find concentrations of bait and feeding salmon.
Thoughts on Salmon Fishing
Unlike river fishing for salmon which usually lasts about 6 weeks, saltwater salmon fishing can be done year round weather permitting. I find saltwater fishing for salmon more challenging and that is what drives one to constantly try to impove skills to outsmart them.
Memorable Salmon Fishing Moment
Having the good fortune of fishing more than just about all others I have so many memorable moments, but the ones that really stick in my mind are the times when a fish gets the better of you. Having caught and released thousands of steelhead this is always remembered.
April 1992 while drifting by a overhanging cedar on the Nitinat River I cast 30 yards out and about 20 feet above the tree. Just as the float was going to hang up on a branch touching the water I went to pull the line towards me and it pulled back. The 8 pound steelhead came out from under the branches, bolted toward the drift boat, circumnavigated us and back to where it grabbed the pink worm leaped 4 feet out of the water into the tree and broke me off before I could even get the line tight. This took less than 10 seconds.
Another unforgettable time was August 1966 while fishing with my father just south of Campbell River. We were cut plugging out of a 12' row boat near the kelp beds. My rod started pounding and as the fish swam out to sea, it almost spooled me before it turned after the first run. My hand and the old Peetz reel were ready to burst into flames. It seemed like eternity before the salmon was close enough to see. It was massive -- longer than the boat was wide. Our net was more suitable for a small coho and we had no gaff. Our only option was to find a hole in the kelp and try to drag it up on shore. The monster eventually got tangled in the kelp and pulled out the hooks.
A valuable lesson was learned that day. Always be prepared. I now carry a large landing net, 3 gaffs and a harpoon on board. To this moment I can still see that spring slowly swimming away.
ON THE BOAT with GUEST CONTRIBUTOR ERIC DAVIES,WA
In early 2010, I contacted Newton Cove Lodge to get a quote for a guided fishing package for our group of six. We had been referred by some fishing buddies who had a good trip the year prior. Our group have done quite a lot of fishing along the west coast including Alaska and the Queen Charlotte Islands so we had some expectations around what we wanted the trip to be like and we certainly wanted to take home some fish.
Upon arrival at the lodge and after being greeted by the staff; grabbing our lunch we were on the water fishing in less than an hour!! We hit a tide change and were really excited as we had heard the fish were "thick". Within minutes of our lines going down the first fish hit the cut plug but the biggest surprise was when picking up the second rod to get it out of the way, a large Chinook grabbed it too!! For three days we played and caught more fish than I can remember on any other trip I have made and we really had a lot of fun.
The trip did not disappoint. You know right away if a guide knows the area and his fishing and all the boats and guides had fun and successful fishing. For us the high points were the location to the fishing and the fact that we could come back in for lunch if we wanted to and then do an evening bite. It all worked. The orientation and fishing tips were really appreciated too as we did have a couple of not so experienced guys in the group. Thanks Newton Cove Lodge and the staff- the food and the accommodations were great too and there is no doubt we will be back.
ON THE BOAT with GUEST CONTRIBUTOR LEE McCARTHY,KENNEWICK,WA.
My son and I have been fishing the waters off of the west side of Vancouver Island for the past 7 years, and every year I wish we would have started 10 years earlier! Each year and each trip are so memorable. This past year was no different. After several informative and enticing visits by phone with both Roger and Kim we decided to choose Newton Cove Lodge for one of our special salmon fishing adventures in 2009.
We arrived at the lodge mid morning on a Friday and quickly unloaded our personal gear and headed out to begin fishing. We chose a spot not far from the lodge where several other boats were trolling for salmon. After very limited success and 4 small shakers, we returned to the lodge late that afternoon hoping Roger would be there and give us some local "inside" fishing tips. Let me tell you tips and techniques we received!! Roger gave us a specific spot to go (less then 5 min from the lodge), "troll from this point to this point, 20-40 feet deep, troll around 1 ½ mph", he also gave us lure style and color info as well as suggested leader lengths.
Wasting no time, we quickly fired up our boat and headed for his suggested location. Minutes later we had our rods in the water and were trolling. We did not have to wait long to confirm that Roger knows what he is doing, within 10 minutes we landed a very nice 13 lb Coho. Over the next 2 hours we each caught 2 very nice hooked nose silvers from 10-13 lbs. We returned to that same location over the next couple of days and were greatly rewarded. We not only caught our full limits (8 salmon ea.) but my son caught his personal best Coho (16 lbs) and we had 3 separate double headers (2 fish hooked up simultaneously).
While the fishing was exhilarating and outstanding, the hospitality, meals and accommodations were excellent. From the personal service to the clean fresh rooms, to the great food and friendly staff everything at the lodge was 1st class.
As I am rapidly approaching retirement age, I know these father-son fishing adventures are important and so very special. Even the few trips that we have taken over the last several years where the fishing was not exceptional were rewarding; however, the ones where everything rates a "10" from the fishing, the hospitality, the good food, and great times are truly the experiences of a lifetime. Our trip to Newton Cove was a 10+!! We are eagerly looking forward to our return trips in 2010.
Many thanks to Lee as our first guest contributor to "Lines On-Line". If you are interested in becoming a guest contributor please contact us and let us know. Fish tales welcome!!!
