Whatcom County callout

How many guys we have at NWKA that regularly fish the north sound?  I live in Bellingham and am looking for a few fishing buddies.  Give a shout!

Hey YM. You know that's part of the sound I have yet to really explore much. It's a good drive for me so I usually stick around these parts. I'd like to head out that way sometime so post some reports and pics. It just may get us up there quicker!

Z

I'm an ex-'hamster. I moved over the hill to the Methow, 25 years ago.

I try to get out in to the islands a time or two a year, especially during ling season. The hard part is synchronizing my schedule with the tides.

YM, glad to see you searching for some company.  I'm in Seattle and have not fished your area but would love to explore that part of the Sound.   I am close enough that if there was a good game plan--I could probably get away for a few days--this spring or summer.

How familiar are you with the hotspots in your area for bottom fish and salmon?

Another thought is that there are enough guys in the "Seattle area" that a group outing or Event could be a possibility.

Post your thoughts--   Rob.

Yeah, let's visit the north.  I may also be able to swing a factory tour at Ocean Kayak.  It's something I've talked with them about recently.

-Allen

Great response!  To be honest, my salt fishing is limited to outings with friends as I've never owned a powerboat, so I'm not too familiar with salty hotspots that are near shore.  Most of my fishing career has been fresh water, and actually moving water (again due to no boat).  So, I'm in it to learn about salty fishin' as well as expand my freshwater knowledge.

On a personal note, I won't be released by the doc to do any fishing at all for another few months (unless I don't tell 'em).  So, for me, I really should have a buddy as I can go from feeling strong to totally wasted in less time than I like.All of that will be improving as the year goes on.  So, I'm just trying to get some early feelers out there.

As regards an event, well my picks would be Doe Bay on Orcas Island or Larabee State Park just outside Bellingham.  Lots of lodging options at Doe bay and decent camping at Larabee would allow us to make a weekend out of it in either place.  Doe Bay offers lots more for the WAF, but Larabee is more affordable.

Doe Bay links:
Doe Bay Resort - Accomodations
Doe Bay - Map

Larabee State Park links:
WA State Parks - Larabee
Larabee State Park - Map

These are just a few options.  I can name a good half dozen parks within 30 miles West and North of the Skagit Valley crossroads that can accommodate a large group for camping and are right on the water.

I wouldn't recommend any of the mainland sites, for bottomfish and lings. Larrabee can be OK for salmon and crabs in late summer. Otherwise, the San Juans have the potential to produce fish that could eat the lingettes that the S OR Coast guys are posting. 

Best tide sequences look to be- Sat., May 2- Tue., May 5; Mon., May 18- Wed., May 20; Sat, May 30- Mon, June 1; Sat., June 13 -Mon., June 15.

On Orcas, I think Moran State Park is cheaper than Doe Bay, and a shorter drive to where I would want to launch. (There's some potential near Doe Bay, but in my experience, that area gets hammered.) I'm pretty sure the Cascadia Marine Trail has a couple of sites on Orcas, too, with one being Pt. Doughty. (Boat in camping.) The best fishing I've had is off the N side of the island. It's also possible to launch from the N side and paddle out to Sucia and Patos Islands State Parks.

My family spent close to a week at Odlin County Park, this last year, and while not pristine it was nice to drive and camp right on the beach. Bottomfish potential out front is moderate, but the S side of the island has excellent potential. Several launch areas on the S side. Spencer Spit State Park has more camping. The car camping sites are up on the bluff, in the trees. Parking is on top, about 80-100' above the water. A longish trail leads down to the water, where there are walkin/boatin sites. Bottomfish potential in front is minimal (lots of traffic).

Moran Stae Park reservation link- https://secure.camis.com/WA/MoranStatePark

Lop[ez Island County Parks Page- Note that online reservations start on March 18- http://www.co.san-juan.wa.us/Parks/Lopez.aspx

Thanks Pisco for all the info--probably take a while to sift through the tides and locations and match with schedules but this is a nice start.
Hope some others get interested in a trip to the San Juans this spring/summer; but it is going to make it on my calendar.  Look forward to any thoughts on this trip.

Rob.

i still find myself living in whatcom!...my favorite place is Pt whitehorn just off birchbay state park...and drayton harbor in blaine in the fall when they start returning to dakota or california creek...i have a mother boat i use to get out to sucia or clark which has good fishing...anyone wanna make a trip out to the islands this summer?

I'll probably get back out to the islands (probably with family in tow) at some point, this summer.

Just having a PB around as a tender/ mother hen on the more exposed locations, would be nice.

I hope Skagit county is close enough! As soon as I get a boat and get it set up I'm fishing.

assuming schedules and such work out i would volunteer to ferry some yaks and their owners and their camping gear out to sucia sometime this summer...i can haul about 6 total...leave from blaine and hit echo bay 2hours later...ling season and salmon season dont overlap up the the north end though...lots of camping spots on sucia and or clark island (state parks)

assuming schedules and such work out i would volunteer to ferry some yaks and their owners and their camping gear out to sucia sometime this summer...i can haul about 6 total...leave from blaine and hit echo bay 2hours later...ling season and salmon season dont overlap up the the north end though...lots of camping spots on sucia and or clark island (state parks)

Nice! THanks for the offer HBH. I'd like to get at least one trip up there this year. Maybe we can get some people together to make it worth your while. People, who's up for this?

Z

counting Z and me there are only 4 spots left!!!!
possible suggested itinerary (this is sort of like wheres waldo?)
start:  TBD friday noonish N48 59.623 W122 45.459
unload and set up camp friday afternoon N48 45.179 W122 54.733
possible alternate fish locations:
N48 43.726 W122 53.964
N48 42.731 W122 46.232
N48 39.973 W122 44.642
N48 39.595 W122 44.524
end sunday afternoon N48 59.623 W122 45.459
hit up OK factory friday AM before departure?

hit up OK factory friday AM before departure?

I guess if you're hitting up the OK factory, then I HAVE to go, huh?   

How big is your mothership?

-Allen