Port Townsend to Whidbey Island Paddle and Fisihing?

Has anyone ever paddled between Whidbey Island and the Port Townsend area?  That little ferry is driving me crazy.  After sitting in the ferry parking lot for about 3 hours last Friday, I couldn't help but think that I could have paddled there in that amount of time and had a heck of a lot more fun doing it.  I realize that there is a bit of shipping traffic and that the currents can be very dangerous at times, but if planned properly it looks pretty reasonable to me.....thoughts?

I'm also planning on doing some fishing around the Point in FT Flagler State Park...I've tried from shore there a few times with cut herring, but not luck yet.  I hear it gets really good at times.  Any ideas on Whidbey Island fishing would be much obliged as well.

Thanks,

Fishdog

I feel your pain about sitting in the ferry parking lot but I think that paddle might be a little hectic. First, like you said, there's currents, then you've got shipping lanes, large boats, and that's not even mentioning weather. IF the weather did turn for the worse, it could make a simple fishing trip very stressful. Just me, but I say play it safe and wait in line.. Plus, you'd rather save your strength for that 50 lb. Chinook that's waiting out there wouldn't you?

Z

I have to agree with "Z" about the dangerous currents and traffic. That ferry run is the first to shut down when the wind and current kick up. I have paddled from the Shipwreck (ma9/ma8.2 marker) to the south end of whidbey. Possession bank is a great place to fish but there are also big dogfish that enjoy chasing your trolled treats. Just don't go too deep and you should be alright.
Another area I've fished from shore is foul weather bluff. FWB is just like going to point no point except you keep going west until the road stops. Walk about 1/2 mi or paddle around the bluff into the sound. WDFW has closed the entrance waters to hood canal so you have to head north into the sound.
FWB has a good variety of fishers. I have seen fly jockeys, buzz bombers, and boaters mixing it up together. There is plenty of room at fwb, unlike point no point. Not to mention plenty of fish caught there too.

Kurt

Yeah, on a perfect day, that would be no problem. The problem is that there aren't many perfect days. Even the nice days can be pretty snotty. That area is the mouth of the Puget Sound basin and when the interior heats up, the N winds blow. It's also aligned with the Southerly storm winds. It doesn't take much wind to oppose a tide to kick up big white caps. A tide change during the crossing could radically change conditions.

BTW, I often fish the west side of Whidbey, wishing I could get to your side.  "Go west, young man!" The fishing usually gets better, the farther west you go.

Thanks for all the wise advice guys.  After floating around Flagler point the last couple of days I could really see what you were all talking about.  Some crazy currents and WAY more BIG boat traffic than I could have imagined.  Of course my friend tried to get home last night and after two ferry terminals and about 5 hours of waiting he finally made it across the 4 miles of water.....ah well......I think I'll take u're advice and go west!  Anyone ever fish around the Dungeness Spit?

Thanks again,

Fishdog

Anyone ever fish around the Dungeness Spit?

Yes. 

Anyone ever fish around the Dungeness Spit?

Yes. 

Sounds like you got some good intel there Pisco... spill the beans braddah
Feel free to PM me the juicy details

Z

Hey Pisco...


I was originally planning to launch at Cline spit, drop off some crab pots on the way over...land on the eastern side of the spit, portage across and then fish those kelp patties I've had my eye on for a while now, but it looks like they don't allow you to portage across, so it would have to be a long paddle around.  You happen to know any other tricks to get around this?   The other option I was thinking of was to walk down from the Dungeness parking lot, but it's a pretty good hike with a Kayak in tow.

Hey Pisco...


I was originally planning to launch at Cline spit, drop off some crab pots on the way over...land on the eastern side of the spit, portage across and then fish those kelp patties I've had my eye on for a while now, but it looks like they don't allow you to portage across, so it would have to be a long paddle around.  You happen to know any other tricks to get around this?   The other option I was thinking of was to walk down from the Dungeness parking lot, but it's a pretty good hike with a Kayak in tow.

Sounds like you got some good intel there Pisco... spill the beans braddah 
Feel free to PM me the juicy details 

Hmmm, what's it worth to ya?!

OK,OK, I've been visiting, and camping at D Spit since the early 70s. When I was a kid, there used to be a pond at the base of the spit that had nice SRC. (The dike blew out years ago.) Used to clam and crab on the inside. It's only been in recent years that the access has been restricted. (I saw health warnings posted, recently.) The crabbing is still good on the inside. Out in D Bay, there were a LOT of commercial pots this spring. In recent years, I've been halibut fishing a couple of times off the end of the spit and out towards Dungeness Bar. I had one actually punch through my net, last year, when Fishing-T and I went out for the opener. Listened to someone else whoop it up this year.

I like the Spit for the protection it offers, from the prevailing northwesterlies. It is a long paddle (or row, in my case) from the launch to the end. It takes about an hour, at a comfortable pace. I try to time my excursions so that I can ride the ebb tide out, and the flood on the return. It is a beautiful place, though, with great wildlife. Lots of birds (as many as 50 eagles hanging out at the end of the spit); porpoises; whales; and a stunning view of the Olympics. I've considered taking the trail down to the base of the spit, but there can be a decent surf. I've learned from experience that an open rowboat is not an ideal surf boat.

Thanks for the info Pisco...

I didn't realize that there were good Halibut in that area.

Much Obliged.

Yeah, thanks Pisco! Just another spot I need to check out. I have been in Sequim once to talk to someone about surfing that area. Now I can surf and kayak that area? I think I need to build a LOT of WAF soon!!

Is Sequim your home ground?

Z

I moved to WA state, with my family, as an 11 yo in 1973. We lived in south Snohomish County, till I left for college.  The OP, especially the Spit, were favorite getaways. (It's the driest place on the Left Coast, north of SF.) Used to be able to show up at 7:00pm on a Friday night and have no problem getting a camping site. I dare you to try that these days!

BTW, 4/5 of our family are headed there, or Salt Creek, next weekend.

Surfing? At the Spit? I've never seen it, though fishing conditions aren't conducive to surfing, and vice versa. The closest inside place I've (to Seattle), is Pt. Partridge on Whidbey Island. (Fort Ebey State Park)

I moved to WA state, with my family, as an 11 yo in 1973. We lived in south Snohomish County, till I left for college.  The OP, especially the Spit, were favorite getaways. (It's the driest place on the Left Coast, north of SF.) Used to be able to show up at 7:00pm on a Friday night and have no problem getting a camping site. I dare you to try that these days!

BTW, 4/5 of our family are headed there, or Salt Creek, next weekend.

Surfing? At the Spit? I've never seen it, though fishing conditions aren't conducive to surfing, and vice versa. The closest inside place I've (to Seattle), is Pt. Partridge on Whidbey Island. (Fort Ebey State Park)

Thanks for the info Pisco. The surfing wasn't at the spit but west of it. Fort Ebey park sounds interesting..  Been thinking of making a trip to Salt Creek as well since there are fishing and surfing opportunities there.