Just quit my job, where should I go yak fishing?

Hey,

Just resigned my job of 10 years and have some free time (June 22st to July 14th) before I start my new gig. As the job I am leaving has made it hard for me to get out for the past year I am chomping at the bit to torment some fish. Any suggestions on where I should go to make the most of my window of freedom? I hope to make several trips during this time between working on house projects. I was thinking of maybe heading to BC/Vancouver Island but am not so familiar with the Salmon run timing and regs. Would love to go out for Halibut but need to check the WA, Oregon and BC regs. Any kayak get togethers during this time? Also looking for people to meet up with so if anyone has trip planned during this time let me know.

Thanks,

Tomas   

Summer steelhead on the Columbia river will be good during that time.  The Oregon Rockfish Classic in Depoe Bay, Oregon will be at the end of your time off.  It would be a great event to meet other kayak fishers.

I have some free time (June 22st to July 14th)...if anyone has trip planned during this time let me know.

I'm doing a camping/fishing trip to Hobuck or La Push (depending on weather/sea state) 22-24 June...Have had a couple people who may be interested but I'm going regardless.

What sections of the Columbia would be good for yak fishing for Steelhead? Just saw the ORF on the events forum and will definitely make it down for that. I attended a couple of years ago and had a great time.

Tomas

What sections of the Columbia would be good for yak fishing for Steelhead?

Most of the river below The Dalles Dam will be holding steelhead.  Some key ambush spots would be the mouth of the Klickitat, White Salmon, Hood, and Wind.  If the wind kicks up Drano is protected and offers great fishing.  The river mouths near Longview should be excellent and would be a shorter drive for you.  Don't forget your "coonies".

Pardon my ignorance but what are "coonies"?

Sorry, coon striped shrimp.  The popular bait for summer runs.  Hang them below a bobber, plunk them behind a spin n glow, back bounce naked, tie them to a plug... and lots of other ways.  They get bit!

Try ifish for more detailed rigging info.

I don't have any suggestions, just wanted to say nice post title

One day this summer I'm gonna skip a day of work and send the following email:

Subject: Out of Office
Body: No phone.  No email. Gone fishin'.

PM sent.

The spring salmon run here on the south end of Vancouver Island is starting to heat up.There is a slot size for wild (unclipped) that you need to pay attention to.  Halibut is open, with daily limit of 1 and possesion limit of 2. You can't retain a halibut over 126 cm. If you are a camper, you could do worse than Jordan river, west of Sooke. The campsite is right on the beach with good halibut and salmon fishing. I'm going to try for halibut there this coming Saturday. Let me know if you are coming this way and maybe we can wet a line together.
T2

South Florida would be nice. Just saying

Big blue is going to be nice for the next 6 days. You can camp on the onp on the cheap and just buzz the northern coast.

Tomas,

Welcome to the Ballard Unemployed Kayak Fishing Team!

Make big plans to travel, but in the meantime fish locally. Lake Washington Trout Derby this weekend, even Green Lake is producing lots of fun stocker trout right now if you bring your UL gear (heading there right now). Lake Union is kicking out some great bass action too.

It's a fine time to be an unemployed kayak fisherman in Ballard.

I'm so envious. I would love to be an unemployed kayak fisherman anywhere.