Bajo Reef and Ferrier point seem to be the best steady producers for both Springs and Coho. Some of the Coho being caught are in the 12 to 16 pound range now.

White and purple haze hoochies are still working well, but flashers and anchovies, or cut plug herring are always a good bet for aggressively feeding fish.

For bottom fish opportunities, the outer edge of Bajo reef or two miles off Maquina or    Burwood is still your best bet. Try jigging or anchoring in the 155 to 170 foot range.

Inside fishing for Chinook is still producing decent numbers, and we are starting to see more and more Coho each day. There are still large numbers of Spring salmon staging in Moutcha Bay at the mouth of the Conuma River. The best bite time for these fish is the first three hours of day light, and the last hour and a half of light in the evening. 5 inch 602 Tomic plugs producing well for these staging spawners.

For those of you who have been waiting to start fishing the rivers, wait no longer! There is now a couple thousand spring salmon and about 300 fresh bullet Coho sprinting up the Conuma river, we have enjoyed a few great morning trip’s to the lower river in the last  couple of days with great action for both Chinook and Coho. Small Colorado blades, Blue Fox spinners, and small Coho spoons have been the best producers. The water is low and clear so you must take care not to spook fish with your casts, or when approaching a run or pool holding fish.

So pack up the family, grab some buddies, or head on out by yourself, because summer is not over yet my friends and the fishing is still that good!!

Tight lines, good luck, and safe fishing!

Gibran White
Nootka Marine Adventures

Fishing on the outside (of Bajo reef) is still very good! This is a combination of local and migratory fish, both Chinook and Coho. Try fishing through the high slack, and into the ebb tide for your best results. Fishing for all species of bottom fish, including halibut has been excellent!! Guests that have been putting in the time have been doing very well, with most groups limiting on chicken Halibut, Ling Cod, and Yellow Eye! Anywhere in the 150 to 170 foot ranges seems to be the best depths for bottom fish success.

There is still very good reports coming from Ferrier Point and the Esperanza area, so it won’t be long before these fish will be down here. Some of the Coho being caught are now in the 14 to 16 pound range, which a lot of fun on light tackle.

Try fishing hoochies, spoons and plugs in the mornings, but switch to flashers and anchovies in the afternoons. Large white buck tails trolled on the surface for Coho is another option for those of you who want to switch to lighter gear.

There is two weeks left in our $10,000 Salmon Derby. The current leader is 36.4lbs. So come on out to Moutcha Bay or Nootka Sound Resort and try your luck!

Tight lines, Good Luck, and Safe Fishing!

Gibran White
Resort Operations Manager
Nootka Marine Adventures

Fishing was hot and cold out at Bajo Reef for the past week and a half, but in the last two days it’s really picked up. With steady chrome Chinook and large Coho being caught every tide change.

Bottom fish are all on the outside anywhere from two to six miles out off of Maquinna, Beno, and Burwood. Look for any kind of structure on your sounder and GPS for the best results.

Start of with a Glow Cuttle Fish Hoochie for the first couple hours of the day. When the sun starts to hit the water, try switching to anchovies or cut plug herring. Spoons and Tomic plugs working well out at the reefs all day long!! Most of the fish being cleaned at the docks are full of large Pilchard’s; so don’t be afraid to try some of the larger spoons and plugs in your tackle box.

Grab a buddy or load up the family, and head on out to Moutcha Bay or Nootka Sound Resort and get those rods in the water…you could win $10,000 for the largest salmon weighed in at either one of our two resorts!!

Tight Lines, Good Luck, and Safe Fishing!

Outer Bajo Reef has been outstanding for Coho, Chinook, Halibut, Lingcod and Rockfish.  Strange Island, Beer Can Bay, Hoiss Point and Camel Rock have been producing some steady fishing for larger mature Springs.

The Lighthouse, Maquinna and Wash Rock are still steadily providing us with Chinook and Coho, and Burdwood has recently picked up too! The last three hours of the flood tide through the high slack has been the most productive fishing, along with the first light bite in the early morning.

Lure Du Jour:

• Glow Cuttle Fish Hoochies
• Needle Fish Hoochies
• 602 & 158 6” Tomic Plugs
• Watermelon and Half Glow Coyote Spoons
• Flasher and Anchovies (with a six foot leader)
• Cut Plug Herring

Tip of the Week:

Cleaning  your boat is the one best things for it. Make sure your haul is free of debris and sea life. Usually all it needs is a good scrub with a stiff brush. This will help your electronics function better, slow corrosion and  prevent blockage of your cooling system. And remember to change your zinc at least once a year.

Rules and Regs:

There have been recent changes in the fishing regulations for area 25-7. You may only retain two Chinook under 77 centimeters (31 inches). For full details visit the Department of Fisheries website.

The Lighthouse at Friendly Cove has been very productive. Hotspots at the moment are Wash Rock, Maquinna Point and Beno Creek. The outer reef of Bajo has also seen a lot of action in the last few weeks, out around the red can buoy. We’ve had the most success fishing between 37 and 63 feet. Five Mile has been the place to be for Halibut, Lingcod and     Yellow Eye.

The $10,000 Salmon Derby is well under way, and the    current leader is Shawn Hearn from Calgary with his 27.3 pound Chinook.  To see who’s catching what check out our 2011 Album or stay posted with our Facebook Page.

Lure Du Jour:

• Needle Fish Hoochies
• Glow Cuttle Hoochies
• 158 and 602 5” Tomic Plugs
• Watermelon Coyote Spoons

Tip of the Week:

• Try a shorter leader on your hoochies, 31 inches; this will give your hoochies a little more action.
• When using Anchovies you’ll want a long leader, 5-6 feet.

Rules and Regs:

Only hatchery Coho can be retained while fishing the outside. Be sure that the Coho’s adipose fin has been clipped when fishing outside of area    25-6. For full details on the retention of Coho visit the Department of Fisheries website.