neah bay to bamfield bc

Lloyds,
Last year we did just fine on the "factory" coho even in early July. They will not be the really big ones but we caught at least one hatchery coho each day. Even got a few in the 10-12 lb range but the average will be more like 4-6lb. You can keep only hatchery (clipped adipose fin) coho offshore, but last year you could keep wild coho inside Barkley Sound. As a warning note, if you will be fishing inside Barkley, make sure you read all the back fisheries notices. Have a paper chart marked with the boundaries of the closed area inside Barkley. It is closed to protect rockfish stocks but it is closed to all fishing and it would be real easy to get in trouble because the inside sound is patrolled by park rangers and fisheries. Basically the boundary closes all the perimeter of the inside islands but leaves the open straights and large channels open to fishing. Of course the info may have changed from last year. My practice is to take my chart down to the resort office and go through all the fisheries notices and mark any affected areas on my chart. Keeps you out of trouble with the fish police. Ron's warning about the fish wardens at the cleaning station is accurate. Last year they added a new twist. For the first time in 15 years fishing this area I was boarded at the harbor entrance by Oceans and Fisheries. They thoroughly checked my fish box and all licenses. Since I have several guests fishing with me during each trip I am always very careful to make sure everyone tags their fish. I have seen many people get tickets for violating the fish laws. The biggest mistake is to forget to put your chinook on your tag. If it isn't marked on your license they will nail you. Another violation I have seen many times is people bringing in undersized lingcod. Make sure you measure them. Hope to see you up there.
 
FYI everyone: These rockfish, no fishing, closures are a big pain. Especially as they are spelled out in GPS co-ordinates, not using obvious geological features. (Had to do with losing court cases due to lack of very specific boundaries, I believe.) Having said that, if one goes to "www-comm.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca", then hit "site map", hit "R" (for rockfish, can also hit "S" for salmon, etc.), go down to "Rockfish", hit "closure maps" (in blue), pick out your area of interest, copy out info, etc. Lots of other useful info here also regarding fishing.
 
Thanks for all the fishing info. I always read the posts at the docks and tried to stay out of the areas but wasn't too concerned on the south side because I never caught more than I could eat. This year I may try to take a box back. And I have never been anywhere where oysters were more plentiful. A fine dinner is waiting at every beach and rock. I wish I could develop a taste for those blue ocean mussels. Just never enjoyed them much but around bamfield they are just thick.
 
Ken: Last batch of concrete didn't take. Driving up on July 7, have reservations for the 5:15 am crossing. Then it will be by ear once we get across. Might try China Creek, or might just launch in port alberni and run down the inlet. Or drive all the way to uclulet. Don't know, the beauty of vacations, don't have to make decisions beforehand. I did buy a cannon downrigger and will mount it tonight and get in a little time with it before we get up there. We should be early enough for the sockeye so I will be prepared for them as well. The inlet can be a real circus when the commercial guys have their nets in. So I will see you up there in about 8 weeks.
 
Lloyds,
I'll be there beginning the night of 6 Jul for a month. I am in spot 18 on top of the hill behind the office. Hope you make it to Ucluelet. My 22 will be down on the outside dock and if its gone so am I. We seldom stay out past 2pm so come on by for a Caesar. Goes for any other C-Brats who make it out to the west side.
 
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