Wind Direction for Neah Bay

Seriously.  I've had the forecast go to shiet more times than I've seen it stay steady. Even fewer that have gotten even better than the forecast.

Topwater said it exactly right. There's a certain set of rules but be prepared to throw 'em out the window at any moment. When the conditions go south be smart enough to throw in the towel and find something else to do.

Ok - mind you I am seeking to learn and understand... I do this by asking lots of questions... many times more than once...

Say I am planning a NB trip for this coming Sunday (arriving late afternoon) and staying through Tuesday... which I am actually. 

At this point it would seem the weather reports are favorable... with the exception of MSW call for a high southerly oriented wind for cape flattery... winds would be from the west on sun and mon - at less than 10mph... and north on tuesday - less then 10mph. 

Tide - Sun hT - around 1pm (5.4), lt - around 6pm (3.7); mon lt - around 7:30am (-1), ht - around 2pm (5.7), lt - around 630pm (3.7); tues lt - 8am (-1.3), ht - 230pm (5., lt - 7pm (3.6)

So, based on this it would seem that fishing in the strait should be good, weather wise.  The exchanges don't "seem" that big.  The wind isn't heavy... it would seem even a north wind shouldn't be too bad... even the west wind may not be a factor depending on where I position myself.  I know nothing about the current and would be inclined to watch my gps to keep track of my speed and position as opposed to how it felt or looked. 

So, what am I not thinking of (I am sure there is plenty)... what am I missing?

you are missing looking at the overnight high tides that lead into the morning minus tides (9-10 ft exchanges).  also look outside of the tide tables and look at currents.  the currents are hard ebbs in the morning when the possibility of low wind are highest, meaning the best fishing conditions weather wise will be against the hardest currents of the day.  the afternoon's look the best from a current and tide perspective and if you can get low winds in the afternoon you are golden but be cautious with the morning hard ebbs.

the swell forecast is going up 4 feet (from 3 to 7 feet on the coast) on sunday.  that hard ebb combined with a decent swell can stack up the water off waadah island and koilah point during the ebb.  i only look at the noaa marine forecast which doesn't give super long range forecasts so right now sunday is the only day i can see on your trip.

this is not to say do not go, but to advise caution with the most important non-wind aspect in the straits which is current.  depending on the forecast as the time comes closer i may head out there if the wind forecast is good but for me the tides the next week are much more favorable, which likely means the weather will be blowing hard.

i'll shoot you a PM if i decide to head out and maybe we can fish together.

noaa marine forecast
http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/marine/zone/west/sewmz.htm
tidal currents
http://tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov/get_predc.shtml?year=2012&stn=6732+Strait%20of%20Juan%20de%20Fuca

If you're me, that means checking the forecast every 10 minutes

Glad I'm not the only one!

I would be great to fish with any of you.

Salmon fishing has turned smoking hot on our side of the strait in Port Renfrew. The pb's are reporting limits right at the corner of San Juan bay. That bodes well for Neah Bay--good luck!
T2

I didn't even realize salmon was gonna be open. Hmmm

I didn't even realize salmon was gonna be open. Hmmm

Better check your regs as they are open here in Canada but I don't know about the US.

They are... Opens the 16

Area 4 opens the 18th for fin clipped chinook, limit 2.  Other areas July 1. 

Nope... 16... You might be looking at last years. It says 18.

If you're me, that means checking the forecast every 10 minutes

Glad I'm not the only one!

I check it even on the days I'm NOT fishing...