Wind Direction for Neah Bay

What kind of wind direction is to be avoided at Neah Bay if you are fishing the strait side of the salt?

Is this a trick question?

Read up on fetch.

The fetch, often called the fetch length, is the length of water over which a given wind has blown. It is used in geography and meteorology and is usually associated with coastal erosion. It plays a large part in longshore drift as well. Fetch length along with the wind speed (or strength) determines the size of waves produced. The longer the fetch length and the faster the wind speed, the larger and stronger the wave will be.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fetch_%28geography%29

East wind is the worst. Comes barreling down the strait and opposes the swell. Best to sit an east wind out.

No trick question... I am thinking of going next week for a couple of days and I got to thinking I don't know about wind direction for up there.  For example, if the wind is northerly at westport... you just don't bother going.

Thanks Rory - just what I was looking for.

Rev where did you get the info about Westport? An east wind is much more of a problem there in a kayak in my experience as it combined with the current will drag out into the bar. Just like Rory mentioned the east wind opposes the generally westerly swell causing increased wave heights.

The east wind "barreling down the straits" is a good example of fetch.

Frankly any strong offshore wind say over 15kt that opposes the swell is probably worth avoiding. If you do go out in those conditions be prepared for a looong paddle/pedal back.

Micah - You are correct that it is more then just one wind direction that is of concern.  I was using it as an example to illustrate that I wasn't asking a trick question but was looking for helpful information.  It was not my goal to provide the full information concerning wind at westport.  Certainly, as I learned first hand on my last trip, even a south wind is of concern when you are in a kayak.

Then you already know that wind speed is generally more important than direction.  As with every nature-related factor in this sport, the conditions that are too windy for one person, aren't too windy for another person. 

Neah ay can go from perfect to major suck in no time at all. I wouldn't recomend it for a learning ground. But I will echo Rory ... East winds really suck for fishing the straight. Anything over 15 also sucks. Any big tide swing also sucks. Any big swell also sucks. Combine any of the above and you are in for super suck.

But if you don't get absolutely drained on the water it can be a lot of fun .....

Well the coolest the about MA 4B is there are lot's of places to find shelter in just about any wind condition, even east.  I worry a bit more about currents there.  That being said if the local forecast, (not the marine) is for over 10 mph I will call it unless I'm wanting a quick AM trip.  Big wind is no fun though and to be avoided in my humble opinion.

luckily currents are predictable.  strong winds suck and are less predictable.

east winds are the worst in the strait.  i bent a kicker motor bracket running back into a 30-35 knot east wind.  a north wind gives no shelter for fishing the strait side.

on the ocean side, a southeast wind is by far the absolute worst.  most long time neah bay regulars won't even venture out in a SE wind... and i won't after my first time ignoring that wisdom. 

another good rule is to look for a declining wind and swell forecast and fish during the decline.  these are usually the most predictably nice patterns there are.  if the swell is moving up there is usually a reason.

take it easy and look for days with minimal tidal exchanges.  make sure you know the tides and currents for the day you are out there and use them to your advantage.... such as using the flood to assist your trek back if you headed west earlier or vise-versa.

familiarity with a place is usually a good thing but can lead to sometimes making really bad decisions.  guys with set rules usually have learned them the hard way.

Listen to Topwater, who's humbler opinion is better than mine, I hope he won't be upset if I say he is a professional, or at least was at one time and has spent lots of hours out there on the water.

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. 

What have I missed.

BTW - I know lots of people have said NB is not a place to learn.  I believe in safety... if I didn't I wouldn't have spend so much money on the drysuit, pfd, etc... but I want to enjoy fishing the places that I have enjoyed fishing.  Mind you, NB is the first place I kayak fished.  Also, my idea of NB fishing does NOT yet extend to launching from Hobuck or fishing the ocean side.  I will fish in front of the break water... and to the east of waadah island.

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

luckily currents are predictable.  strong winds suck and are less predictable.

east winds are the worst in the strait.  i bent a kicker motor bracket running back into a 30-35 knot east wind.  a north wind gives no shelter for fishing the strait side.

on the ocean side, a southeast wind is by far the absolute worst.  most long time neah bay regulars won't even venture out in a SE wind... and i won't after my first time ignoring that wisdom.

another good rule is to look for a declining wind and swell forecast and fish during the decline.  these are usually the most predictably nice patterns there are.  if the swell is moving up there is usually a reason.

take it easy and look for days with minimal tidal exchanges.  make sure you know the tides and currents for the day you are out there and use them to your advantage.... such as using the flood to assist your trek back if you headed west earlier or vise-versa.

familiarity with a place is usually a good thing but can lead to sometimes making really bad decisions.  guys with set rules usually have learned them the hard way.

Excellent advice

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. 

What have I missed.

BTW - I know lots of people have said NB is not a place to learn.  I believe in safety... if I didn't I wouldn't have spend so much money on the drysuit, pfd, etc... but I want to enjoy fishing the places that I have enjoyed fishing.  Mind you, NB is the first place I kayak fished.  Also, my idea of NB fishing does NOT yet extend to launching from Hobuck or fishing the ocean side.  I will fish in front of the break water... and to the east of waadah island.

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

Nuthin!  you're assessing this well. Winds less than 10 are what you're looking for. Tides look good. Only thing you didn't mention is swell. I checked and it's forecasted as 3ft for saturday (can't see sunday yet), and in the strait that is negligible.  So far, that is looking like a mighty good forecast! Now if we could get some sun, maybe you can get yourself a nice hand-tan.

Granted, we are still a good ways out, you have to keep your eye on it. If you're me, that means checking the forecast every 10 minutes