Port Eliza Fishing
Well-Known Member
I can not comment on the fishing in Nootka, but can say that calling the fishing is dead in Esperanza is completely untrue! The last 3 groups of guided fisherman (last 10 days) all had limits or close to it of Chinook most had limits of wild coho (each person can keep two in area 25) , but sometimes could not find enough hatchery Coho. Off-shore for bottom fish has been challenging with the wind, although we had a 55lb and 7 chickens come in Yesterday with a bit of a window in the AM. Its not just guides experiencing good fishing, we had a Bring your own boat group of 2 guys with an 18 foot Campion, had never fished the ocean (lots of lake experience) get their limit of Chinook in 2 days, they didn't go further than pin rocks. Rosa has slowed although I got a 22lb and lost another teenager at the boat the night before last fishing for 2 hours pulling cut plugs at 1.5 mph around with no flasher at 25 feet and 29 feet on the downriggers.The message is out that Nootka and Esperanza are pretty dead. By the 19th, Nootka was empty of boats on the run out and the near outside had very few boats fishing. Most rec guys had given up and gone home.
While I run a lodge, its not multi-million-dollar, and anyone who has followed my posting knows I say when its slow, and it's not slow right now! Sandstone continues to produce nice bright fish, Low rock, Pin rocks as well. There are pockets of Coho out there. often at reefs not known for Chinook fishing. Anchovies have been the favorite bait for Chinook. Small spoons like Coho killers for Coho.Sorry to the lodge guys for being honest. I know with the border closures this is two years with few to no American fishermen.
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