What a difference a year can make! The memories of last seasons
less than stellar fishing was completely erased by the best fishing
in B.C. in 2009. Nootka Sound was the B.C. hot spot in 2009, no
doubt about it. Not only were the numbers very good, but the fish
were bigger than anywhere else on the coast. If you've never caught
a chinook salmon over 40 pounds before, odds are if you had made it
to Nootka that would have accomplished that milestone. An
unprecedented number of chinook over 40 pounds and a few over 50
pounds showed up in July and continued to arrive well into late
August. The excitement began on the first day in camp. I had just
arrived when one the of the lodge boats returned from a rough
afternoon trip to the Bajo Reef. A very big chinook was hoisted up
on the scales which confirmed a 51-pound chinook for the lucky
angler! My first trip the next morning couldn't come fast
enough. The offshore waters around the Bajo Reef saw the best action
most of the season. The Bajo Reef is located about 4 miles offshore
on the seaward side of Nootka Island.
When the bite came on at the reef it was often multiple hook ups all
around you. There were enough feeding fish around that using bait
wasn't really necessary. I opted for one rod rigged with bait and
the other two rods rigged with spoons only, no flashers. During one
afternoon bite we had just hooked up a 37-pound chinook on a
spoon. I grabbed the other rod fishing a spoon, snapped it off the
rigger to bring it aboard and out of the way. Just before the spoon
broke the surface about 30 feet behind the boat, I felt a strong
tug. I looked back and saw a 30-pound plus chinook roll on its side
as it inhaled my spoon. I tried to reef back and set the hook, but
with my light rods couldn't get the big single hook to stick. Even
though it took off it was one moment of excitement of many more that
afternoon. That day we started farther offshore for bottom fish, then
just after the morning tide change we moved to the Bajo for
salmon. We ended up with 4 halibut up to 41 pounds, lost another 100
pounder we had to the side of the boat twice, a 25-pound ling cod, 3
yellow eye up to 17 pounds and salmon going 37, 34, 27, 23 and 20
pounds. My fish locker was stuffed and had to jump on the lid to
get it to lie flat on the deck. Reminded me of those guys in the
Bering Sea on the "Deadliest Catch" jumping on the crab to get the
deck lid down.
The flat calm inside waters also produced good numbers. The bites
were not as long lasting as on the outside and there were less 40
pound plus fish to be had as well. Many of the larger offshore fish
were not local fish and didn't enter the inside waters of Nootka
Sound. Most days we preferred to stay inside during the morning on
the outgoing ebb tide then run out to the reef for the productive
incoming flood tide. Coho numbers were also very good this past
summer and seemed to be a trend along the entire west coast of
Vancouver Island.
Not only was fishing at its best, so was the weather. During our
time in Nootka this summer the daily temperatures were up over 90° F
every day. It created a bit of an issue we don't normally have to
deal with up here very often — keeping the catch on board cool during
the days fishing. In fact, a couple of times when we were fishing
fairly close to the lodge we ran the fish back to get them cleaned,
vacuum packed and iced down at the lodge. We then returned to fishing
without having to worry about the fish getting warm. If this
repeats next summer I'll be packing ice with me each morning to keep
the fish cool.
Fewer boats were in the area this summer, a direct result of the
economy. Fewer long distance owner operators are making the
trip. This only makes fishing even more enjoyable for those who do
make the trip up. I'm already taking bookings for 2010. It appears
that the interest to fish here will be strong next summer. The 2010
season forecast will explain why!!
Nootka 2010 Season Forecast
The next two consecutive seasons are predicted to see the strongest chinook salmon returns in some time. DFO scientists have observed high numbers of
juvenile chinook salmon in the ocean from the 2006 and 2007 brood years. They contribute the higher numbers to a much better ocean survival rate as
the oceans have been considerably cooler and food sources more abundant. This is backed up by the numbers of juvenile chinook salmon being caught and
released by sport fishermen along Vancouver Island's west coast. The US has also ramped up their chinook hatchery program and many of these fish
migrate along our waters. The first adults from this ramped up program will return through our offshore waters on route back to their spawning
origins. Chinook returns for 2010 and 2011 will be strong. Great news!!!
Halibut stocks and quota will also be on the upswing for the next 6 or 7 years. Halibut fishing was unbelievably good in 2009 even though the sport
caught quota was reduced. These fish stocks are well managed by the IHC and year to year catches remain consistent. The overall bio mass will be
increasing for the next 6 or 7 years and so will the catch quotas. The result may be a return to a 2 fish daily limit and 3 in possession soon.
I’m looking forward to another great summer fishing season in 2010 and my annual trek up into Nootka Sound. I’m already thinking about the upcoming fun times fishing with all the regular groups, meeting and fishing with new clients and the comradeship between all the other guides and local fishermen we see along our travels. I hope you join us!
Call or email me for available dates for the upcoming 2010 season. Tight lines and the best of the season to all!
...Rollie
Nootka Sound Fishing Charters 836 Rockheights Ave.
Victoria BC CANADA V9A 6J4
Phone: (250) 380-7018
E-mail: SSCL@shaw.ca
