We just got back from a great week of fishing at spectacular Nootka Sound on the West Coast of Vancouver Island. The cabin at Critter Cove was offered by Rob (username Neblig) back in December and Rick (C-Dawg) and I decided we would like to take this opportunity to fish on the beautiful waters of Nootka Sound. Along with my childhood buddy Len, we arrived in Nootka after a long ferry crossing and drive from Port Angeles to Victoria through Campbell River to Gold River on Monday. On Tuesday we launched at the boat ramp in the inlet outside GR. After a 45 minute boat ride, we noticed a big pack of fishing boats fishing a point. We found out later that was called Camel Rock. We decided to fish since we were 3 hours ahead of check-in at Critter Cove.
Lucky we made that decision. In 2 1/2 hours we caught 4 nice Chinook Salmon, called Springs in Canada. My first fish was a fat 23 lber!
We checked into our cabin that afternoon and kicked back, enjoying the sunshine and spectacular scenery. Here's a pic of El Capitan, Rick (C-Dawg) admiring his fishing machine.
To summarize the rest of the trip, we thought we might limit out on our 2nd day based on how we did the first (total of 4 Springs each + 4 Coho if we found them). Little did we know how the weather affected the bite. We decided to go "Outside" (the ocean) to try for some halibut but no luck. We went back "Inside" for more salmon but no luck either. I had the great misfortune of not netting the only fish we caught that day (Rick's fish). Oops, sorry about that Rick.
The weather turned progressively wetter and wetter and the bite really turned off. On Thursday, we stayed inside and found the hot bite again, this time catching 5 beautiful fish. I caught a 21# and 17#, my buddy Len caught a nice 17# and Rick caught 2 fish, 13# and 10#. Every fish I caught was big and Rick commented that wasn't it always the case that the captain and most experienced fisherman caught the smallest fish? To summarize the rest of the trip, we thought we might limit out on our 2nd day based on how we did the first (total of 4 Springs each + 4 Coho if we found them). Little did we know how the weather affected the bite. We decided to go "Outside" (the ocean) to try for some halibut but no luck. We went back "Inside" for more salmon but no luck either. I had the great fortune of not netting the only fish we caught that day (Rick's fish). Oops, sorry about that Rick. The weather turned progressively wetter and wetter and the bite really turned off. On Thursday, it was another high front and a nice partly sunny day so we stayed inside and found the hot bite again, this time catching 5 beautiful fish. I caught a 21# and 17#, my buddy Len caught a nice 17# and Rick caught 2 fish, 13# and 10#. Every fish I caught was big and Rick commented that wasn't it always the case that the captain and most experience fisherman caught the smallest?
Of course the next day was a low front and pretty cool and misty and of course no fish, not even one bite. Finally on our last day, we started out early Saturday morning under blue skies needing 3 fish to reach our limit. As Rick stated, the fish gods granted us our wish of getting us on the fish as we found a good bite along "The Wall", just in front of Critter Cove. It was up to us to net the fish. Unfortunately Rick was the first to lose his fish, it came unbuttoned before he could get it to the boat. Next was my turn. The pattern continued as I got into a very nice fish, it felt to be in the 20's. It ran and fought like crazy and suddenly it came unbuttoned as well, I don't know how as I felt I had good pressure on it the whole time.
Leave it to the newbie Len to land the last fish, a nice 17# spring. Oh well, 1 for 3 on the last day will do.
All in all, we had a great week at Nootka. Thanks Rob for giving us the opportunity to fish in such a spectacular, pristine setting. And thanks Rick for the use of your great fishing machine, C-Dawg and for your fishing expertise. Can't wait until next time!
Lucky we made that decision. In 2 1/2 hours we caught 4 nice Chinook Salmon, called Springs in Canada. My first fish was a fat 23 lber!
We checked into our cabin that afternoon and kicked back, enjoying the sunshine and spectacular scenery. Here's a pic of El Capitan, Rick (C-Dawg) admiring his fishing machine.
To summarize the rest of the trip, we thought we might limit out on our 2nd day based on how we did the first (total of 4 Springs each + 4 Coho if we found them). Little did we know how the weather affected the bite. We decided to go "Outside" (the ocean) to try for some halibut but no luck. We went back "Inside" for more salmon but no luck either. I had the great misfortune of not netting the only fish we caught that day (Rick's fish). Oops, sorry about that Rick.
The weather turned progressively wetter and wetter and the bite really turned off. On Thursday, we stayed inside and found the hot bite again, this time catching 5 beautiful fish. I caught a 21# and 17#, my buddy Len caught a nice 17# and Rick caught 2 fish, 13# and 10#. Every fish I caught was big and Rick commented that wasn't it always the case that the captain and most experienced fisherman caught the smallest fish? To summarize the rest of the trip, we thought we might limit out on our 2nd day based on how we did the first (total of 4 Springs each + 4 Coho if we found them). Little did we know how the weather affected the bite. We decided to go "Outside" (the ocean) to try for some halibut but no luck. We went back "Inside" for more salmon but no luck either. I had the great fortune of not netting the only fish we caught that day (Rick's fish). Oops, sorry about that Rick. The weather turned progressively wetter and wetter and the bite really turned off. On Thursday, it was another high front and a nice partly sunny day so we stayed inside and found the hot bite again, this time catching 5 beautiful fish. I caught a 21# and 17#, my buddy Len caught a nice 17# and Rick caught 2 fish, 13# and 10#. Every fish I caught was big and Rick commented that wasn't it always the case that the captain and most experience fisherman caught the smallest?Of course the next day was a low front and pretty cool and misty and of course no fish, not even one bite. Finally on our last day, we started out early Saturday morning under blue skies needing 3 fish to reach our limit. As Rick stated, the fish gods granted us our wish of getting us on the fish as we found a good bite along "The Wall", just in front of Critter Cove. It was up to us to net the fish. Unfortunately Rick was the first to lose his fish, it came unbuttoned before he could get it to the boat. Next was my turn. The pattern continued as I got into a very nice fish, it felt to be in the 20's. It ran and fought like crazy and suddenly it came unbuttoned as well, I don't know how as I felt I had good pressure on it the whole time.
Leave it to the newbie Len to land the last fish, a nice 17# spring. Oh well, 1 for 3 on the last day will do.All in all, we had a great week at Nootka. Thanks Rob for giving us the opportunity to fish in such a spectacular, pristine setting. And thanks Rick for the use of your great fishing machine, C-Dawg and for your fishing expertise. Can't wait until next time!
