2019 Nootka Sound/Esperanza Inlet Reports

Not sure i agree about the Columbia forecasts on Chinooks

https://www.statesmanjournal.com/st...edicted-poor-half-10-year-average/3054335002/

 

The good forecasts I referenced were for Coho, they are the first returning year of fish that reared in the non-blob ocean conditions. As you point out it could still be tough for Columbia Chinook. particularly the spring run, as they still spent their first year at sea in the poor conditions. Its early but the spring returns to Bonneville are 1/2 of what they were this time last year which isn't good. Hopefully the good coho survival this year bodes well for next years Chinook in the Columbia and elsewhere.

 

Newbie question but what and where is the surf line off WCVI?

 

They could be using the mean water line, which is the average of high water over a period of years. But If you plot the coordinates out it will give you a line apx 1mi off of the shore line.

Hope that helps.

The Boundary Line is approximately 1nm seaward of the surfline and is defined
as follows:

A line that begins at Pacheena Point lighthouse at 48 degrees 43.327’ N 125
degrees 05.855’ W
then to 48 degrees 42.456’ N 125 degrees 06.583’ W seaward of Pachena Point,
then to 48 degrees 46.420’ N 125 degrees 13.997’ W seaward of Cape Beale,
then to 48 degrees 54.572’ N 125 degrees 33.622’ W seaward of Amphitrite Point,
then to 49 degrees 05.100’ N 125 degrees 54.646’ W seaward of Cox Point,
then to 49 degrees 10.280’ N 126 degrees 04.790’ W seaward of Blunden Island,
then to 49 degrees 16.472’ N 126 degrees 15.140’ W seaward of Rafael Point,
then to 49 degrees 20.008’ N 126 degrees 17.188’ W seaward of Sydney Inlet,
then to 49 degrees 23.807’ N 126 degrees 24.483’ W seaward of Hesquiat Point,
then to 49 degrees 21.620’ N 126 degrees 28.478’ W seaward of Matlahaw Point,
then to 49 degrees 22.113’ N 126 degrees 33.508’ W seaward of Estevan Point,
then to 49 degrees 23.869’ N 126 degrees 35.333’ W seaward of Homais Cove,
then to 49 degrees 27.766’ N 126 degrees 35.971’ W seaward of Split Cape,
then to 49 degrees 31.494’ N 126 degrees 35.669’ W seaward of Escalante Point,
then to 49 degrees 34.042’ N 126 degrees 41.611’ W seaward of Maquinna Point,
then to 49 degrees 36.254’ N 126 degrees 50.538’ W seaward of Bajo Point,
then to 49 degrees 39.892’ N 126 degrees 55.125’ W seaward of Skuna Bay,
then to 49 degrees 44.400’ N 127 degrees 00.289’ W seaward of Ferrer Point,
then to 49 degrees 50.767’ N 127 degrees 10.151’ W seaward of Tatchu Point,
then to 49 degrees 59.142’ N 127 degrees 28.125’ W seaward of Lookout Island,
then to 50 degrees 06.948’ N 127 degrees 41.617’ W seaward of Jackobson Point,
then to 50 degrees 03.599’ N 127 degrees 47.722’ W seaward of Clerke Point,
then to 50 degrees 05.868’ N 127 degrees 57.906’ W seaward of Solander Island,
then to 50 degrees 19.284’ N 128 degrees 00.130’ W seaward of Lawn Point,
then to 50 degrees 31.501’ N 128 degrees 14.238’ W seaward of Topknot Point,
then to 50 degrees 35.683’ N 128 degrees 19.249’ W seaward of Cape Palmerston,
then to 50 degrees 39.280’ N 128 degrees 23.459’ W seaward of Winifred Island,
then to 50 degrees 41.116’ N 128 degrees 24.166’ W seaward of Cape Russell,
then to 50 degrees 44.137’ N 128 degrees 26.559’ W seaward of Strange Rock,
then to 50 degrees 47.926’ N 128 degrees 27.363’ W seaward of Cape Scott,
then to Frederiksen Point.

Chinook daily limits remain at 2 per day shoreward of this Boundary Line.

Johnstone Strait (Area 12):
00:01 hours April 19 to 23:59 hours July 14, 2019: Chinook non-retention;
00:01 hours July 15 to 23:59 hours August 29, 2019: 1 Chinook per day;
00:01 hours August 30 to 23:59 hours December 31: 2 Chinook per day.

Strait of Georgia – North - Areas 13 to 17, 28, portions of Area 29 (29-1 and
29-2):
00:01 hours April 19 to 23:59 hours July 14, 2019: Chinook non-retention;
00:01 hours July 15 to 23:59 hours August 29, 2019: 1 Chinook/day;
00:01 hours August 30 to December 31, 2019 2 Chinook/day.

Strait of Georgia – South and Juan de Fuca - Areas 18, Subareas 19-3 to 19-12,
Subareas 20-3 to 20-7 and Subareas 29-3 to 29-5:
00:01 hours April 19 to 23:59 hours July 31, 2019: Chinook non-retention;
00:01 hours August 1 to 23:59 hours August 29, 2019: 1 Chinook per day;
00:01 hours August 30 to 23:59 hours December 31, 2019: 2 Chinook per day.

Subareas 29-6, 29-7, 29-9, 29-10 (Fraser mouth), Fraser River Tidal Areas 29-11
to 29-17, Fraser River Non Tidal (Region 2):
Subarea 29-6 is currently closed to fishing for salmon to July 31; a future
notice will extend this to August 23.
Subareas 29-7, 29-9, 29-10 and the tidal waters of the Fraser River (Subareas
29-11 to 29-17) are currently closed to fishing for salmon to August 23.
The non-tidal waters of the Fraser River in Region 2 are currently closed to
fishing for salmon until July 31. A future notice will extend this to Aug. 23

Freshwater Regions 3,5,7 and 8:
Closed to fishing for salmon (Fishing opportunities for specific salmon stocks
may be considered at a later date)

VO: 2019-RFQ-223
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Coast-wide Recreational Fisheries:
---------------------------------------------------------------------
For the recreational fishery, the annual aggregate limit for chinook salmon is
ten (10) in all tidal and fresh waters coast-wide.

VO: 2019-RFQ-224
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Southern BC Food, Social and Ceremonial Fisheries:
---------------------------------------------------------------------

Lower Fraser and BC Interior: Chinook non-retention to July 14th; very limited
priority access for ceremonial purposes will be considered prior to July 14th.

In Southern BC marine waters beginning 00:01 hours April 19 until 23:59 hours
July 14, 2019 Chinook non-retention will be in effect in the following Areas
and Subareas:

Areas 12 to 21, 121 Subareas 29-1 to 29-7,29-9, 29-10 and those portions of
Areas 123 to 127 1 nautical mile seaward of the surfline.

For clarity, Chinook retention is permitted in Areas 11, 23 to 27, 111 and
those portions of Areas 123 to 127 shoreward of a Boundary Line 1 nautical mile
seaward of the surfline.

VO: 2019-222

Further information on specific management actions will be communicated by
separate Fishery Notices. You can view or subscribe to fisheries notices
at: http://notices.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fns-sap/index-eng.cfm

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Contact your local DFO office
http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/contact/regions/pacific-pacifique-eng.html



Fisheries and Oceans Canada Operations Center - FN0377
Sent April 18, 2019 at 17:03
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So in a nutshell, 1 nm from the shore line, thanks

 

Yes but that varies slightly between coordinates. Best to plot it out using Homeport or some other app. It's on the site here if you search.

 

My understanding is between coho returns and netting wayyyyyyy offshore they do every year (which helped forecast good coho returns this year) next year Columbia should have an AMAZING return of Chinook. This year meh at best. Similar to last years realized returns

 

We just got back from Nootka. Annual Spring trip putting in docks, ramps and other things.

Prawning was tough again. We had a lot of traps in the water and worked hard to get half of our limit. It’s been getting worse and worse ever year.

I have been prawning in Nootka for over 30 years, both sport and commercial so know all the spots. But it has been on a downhill slide for the last 8 years.

The day we left on May 7 the Commercial boats with there thousands of traps where lined up waiting for the opening. I’m concerned because I don’t think they will even pay for fuel but also fish until every last prawn is gone.

This year Ladysmith shut down prawns on January 1st and on opening day April 1st we went out for a morning. It was the best prawning I’ve seen in years, in one pull we were done.

We didn’t fish much so no reports on that.

 

Here is our Prawn, Fish and Oyster taco night.

There were some big Prawns.

 

Off to camp on Nootka for the long weekend. We'll see if we can find any Chinook on the surfline around Ferrer-Skuna. Looks like a mixed bag of weather coming so we'll see. Any reports appreciated! Will report back after weekend.

 

Port Eliza Lodge might be able to give you a report, Andrew. Good luck!

 

We had a few early guests and some work crews out at Port Eliza Lodge last week. Fishing in Esperanza Inlet has been good, best spot last week was the gap by Catala island. Were into over 2o legal springs over a couple of days. There are a lot of feeders, but some fish to 15 Lbs, there are more good size fish coming into the inlet each week. Using mostly flashers with coho killers. Spots like Ferrer should be producing as well, but we did not head over there last week. We are officially open may 31 for BYOB or Fully guided fishing, and limits in the inlet up to 1nm offshore are 2/day for chinook.

For those who are not aware, Port Eliza Lodge (formerly Rodgers Fishing Lodge) is under new ownership, we are open for the 2019 season, and look forward to some great fishing once again.

Robert and Jim

 

Fishing continues to be steady in Esperanza. Rosa was producing plenty of Chinook, many feeder size with occasional fish to #15. There were 4 early coho caught inside as well. They do not open until June 1 so were released, but a good sign, as most forecasts are for very good coho returns. Halibut fishing has been tough as its been windy and rough, but a few decent ones were picked up in close when the weather allows. We bought a couple of Bauer prawn traps so hope to try those out soon.

 

Started the annoying task of adding all the 1 nautical mile points. looks like Bajo is out of the loop contrary to popular reports? did i do something wrong?

 

If the scale at the bottom of your map is correct I suppose that looks right--did you put in the lat/long? I would have thought it was further out but I haven't plotted it yet.

 

I plotted it a few weeks back. Bajo is out.

 

Yessir i did. looks like it’s out. sigh.... gonna be one crowded place this summer.....

 

thanks Pescador

 

Probably-but a lot of guys have given up!!-gas costs are thru the roof too!

 

Not much to report for me for fish from a fun weekend camping on the west side of Nootka. There was a few gale warnings and 2-4m swells, which kept us off the water (and up at night worrying about the boat on anchor). That said, the surfing was great and the Cutthroat fishing was some of the best I've had up there. We only fished for chinook for an hour on the way home through Esperanza and released a handful of small Chinook.