Salmon Intercept--early July

Just thought I would get a thread going on where guys in Puget Sound region would like to go to intercept Kings early this summer.  From the ocean they have to pass Neah Bay, then Clallam Bay, then the Port Angeles area; they may also come down from Canada on the inside of Vancouver Island and enter the Sound from the North side. 

I'm thinking about a multi-day trip, where you could camp close to the water and not have to compete with too many power boats.  Also, would need a grocery store nearby for ice, bait, food and beer.

Realize this is asking for one helluva lot in any one spot, but what the hey.. gotta start somewhere... comments?

Rob.   

How early is early?

There will be some fish trickling in to the Sound starting in early July, but at that time the best fishing is from Sekiu, west to Neah Bay, then south to LaPush. I don't know any one that has successfully launched out of LaPush, and the only attempt I've heard of was by a newbie who didn't have a clue. He and a friend tried a frontal assault on beach with a severe shorebreak and got pummeled for their efforts. Using the mouth of the river and the protection of James Island, it looks very feasible.

there are usually frasier river kings right off the beach of lighthouse park at Point Roberts in early July as well as fishermans bay off Lummi island, also Pt Lawrence and Parker Reef off of Orcas bout the same time

there are usually frasier river kings right off the beach of lighthouse park at Point Roberts in early July as well as fishermans bay off Lummi island, also Pt Lawrence and Parker Reef off of Orcas bout the same time

HBH, haven't heard much about this fishery.  Are the numbers of fish in this run small or are you northenders just keeping this secret? 

Usually think in terms of the west end of the Straits-- only problem there is the huge number of power boats at places like Seqiu and Port Angeles.

I really like the idea of intercepting these fish before they get too close to their river destinations.... they still seem to be eating bait just off the ocean but later on their appetites seem to dwindle.

http://www.anglingbc.com/articles/fraserriversalmon.html

We begin the salmon season fishing for early summer run King Salmon Chinook. (Please see the species page for details) The second species to enter the river is the Sockeye Salmon, this is one of the most prolific runs of all, with up to 20 Million salmon returning. Pink salmon are the 3rd species to enter (odd years only, next run summer 2005). Pink salmon number of the millions, our last run in 2003 had over 28 million salmon return.* Book early for the 2005 season*. Next to enter the river is our Fall run of Kings ( largest run of Chinook) this fishery is mostly catch and release but many fish over 40 lbs are available. Once the Sockeye, Pinks and Kings are in the river the Coho (Silvers) and Chum salmon begin to arrive. October and November is probably 2 of the best months to fly and spoon fish for salmon. All of our rivers are full of salmon and Coho and Chum love to chase fly's, spinners and spoons.

The selective fishing rules in the Strait are a real bummer----I went up in 2007 and stayed at Whiskey Creek (nice cabins and camping) and fished from Seiku, but aside from the pink fishing, which was fantastic, the only kings I caught were unmarked and had to be released (fillet and release???).  1 fin-clipped silver came back, with a limit of pinks, but it put me off for fishig the Strait----I fish for meat, do not blieve in C&R.
  My all-time favorite salmon spot in WA was Silver King Resort, a little nook with breakwater, camping  and moorage at Pillar Point.  There are wonderful kelp beds west of the Point, which hold big kings at daybreak.  I saw a 12-year old kid with a 45# slab on my first trip there, back around 1991.  The resort was leased from Merrill and Ring by a guy named Big John, who died of throat cancer (yes, heavy smoker) a few years back.  The   DNR made them (the resort) upgrade the septic system about 10 years ago, then they had to dig out the soil around their underground gas tank, and they pretty much went broke and John dies.  His son ran it for a year or so, but it went feet up.  Merrill and Ring then ran the resort for their Port Angeles employees, but the boat basin did not get dredged out, and it closed.  You can run east to Pillar Point from Sekiu and fish back on the ebb, good fishing close in----retention for hatchery kings only at certain times.
There's a high-tide launch at Pillar Point County Park, which is OK for kayaks.  Big water, though, and deadly on an east wind if the fog comes up.  I had a nasty scare there in 2002, but that's another story!

HBH-- that Fraser R. system supports one mutha load of salmon.  So when do we go?  Another group outing perhaps?   

Kali, it's been a few years since I've fished the straits for salmon.  Never did fish it out of a kayak--but it could get dicey even for power boats.  Got lost in the fog a couple of times (remember: head south) and lost a cotter pin for the prop about 6miles out fishing for silvers but thats another story.  Still, if the weather was nice----  could be fun being pulled around by a 30 lb king--native or hatchery!   

Rob.

Rob-  parker reef and lego bay have frasier kings with your name written on them!  what are you waiting for?

Hobuck Beach on Makaw bay at Neah Bay is an easy place to launch and there is a nice campground there....The kings get there first
Fished there 15 years ago off a sailboard and never caught so many lings and rockfish in a single day.
When I lived in Sequim I fished a lot at Freshwater  Bay...Protected until you get outside of Bachelor Rock...That area usually peaks around July 15..
Biggest problem is finding no adipose cause the Elwa Skallams sometimes forget to clip their fins if you know what I mean.
Just joined this site today and live in Birch Bay Village( Crabs)  and Sequim ...Hope to fish Neah bay (Makaw Bay, Skagway etc.) this summer...
Always good to have 1 or 2 wingmen...although I almost always fish alone..
Finally found a site for the Plastic Navy ....I also am an IFish and Bloody Decks member.. I recognize some names here already...

Rob-  parker reef and lego bay have frasier kings with your name written on them!  what are you waiting for?

How about for the season to begin   By the way Bernie, could not find lego bay in the San Juans--donde esta?

Rob.   

 48°42'36.39"N 122°42'18.72"W shhhh dont tell anyone

Jigmaster, sent you a PM...

Kalli, I pm'd you...A great Yak place to fish is Freshwater bay as the Big Elwa Kings as well as some Frasier river footballs pass that way..   It's a tough launch for most large boats but a piece of cake for Yaks.. It peaks around July 15....The tides and the currents matter too and it's best to be able to fish at least one slack tide...
I was hoping to find some yakkers that would want to fish Mukkaw bay and stay at Hobuck beach resort... you can keep adipose equipped kings there....It is surf launching but it's an awesome place and the best inshore rockfishing in WA....Perfect for Yaks... and no boats ...too many cloud breaks and reefs for them...It is recommended to sit on the beach and stare at the waves for an hour before a launch on the outgoing tide.... " The will to prepare"    Glenn

Try those surf launches on the incoming tide. Waves are steeper on the outgoing tide. opposing forces stand them up.

Waves are always bigger on the incoming tide....Ever heard of the high tide push? I'm not referring to bar crossings...I'm refering to beach breaks