2023 Nootka Sound/Esperanza Inlet Reports
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We launched last week at Gold River as per usual it works great and easy.
pescador
Well-Known Member
I wouldn’t pull anything over that road based on comments from many people I’ve talked to. When you arrive in Tahsis the dust is everywhere in the boat. No fun starting a trip with a dirty boat. That road also beats up trailers. You need multiple spare tires and I’d carry extra leaf springs and tools to fix just about anything on your trailer. It’s such a nice peaceful boat ride up the Tahsis Inlet. To me it’s almost a bonus to launch in Gold River and run the boat up.
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pescador
Well-Known Member
Approx 45 minutes to Camel Rock. Depends of course when you’re going and if the fish are in the inside yet. Within 10 minutes of Camel there are several places. Then another 20 minutes out to the Lighthouse. This is ball park. Approx.
Coyote Spooner
Well-Known Member
That 18% grade hill around 40 Km mark is scary. I’d hate to run into another rig coming up that hill too. Launch in GR!
salmonkiller01
Well-Known Member
Great bottom fishing this weekend, lots of lingcod and a couple halibut. Just never got a good hook set on a couple big hits I presume to be halibut
Salmon was ok. Largest 18 and lots of feeders at 50cm
All bottomfish seemed to have a squid or 2 in there bellies
Of course Critter cove was outstanding. 4 weeks till we are back
Salmon was ok. Largest 18 and lots of feeders at 50cm
All bottomfish seemed to have a squid or 2 in there bellies
Of course Critter cove was outstanding. 4 weeks till we are back
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MacDuff
Active Member
The Head Bay FSR is in better condition than it has been in several years. It is chip sealed from KM 18 to Tahsis and other sections were also chip sealed last summer. I would say for those of us boat owners who live in Tahsis the opinions are divided whether to tow or launch in Gold River. I have towed my boat multiple times to Campbell River for servicing, as have many others including a neighbour with a 28foot Shamrock. Others prefer to use the Gold River ramp. Dust control was applied late last week, so that helps with visibility and reduces annoyance. Logging operations have slowed and possibly ceased for the summer, so drivers are less likely to encounter big bunks. Still, it is a forest service road with many blind corners and steep grades. Tahsis Road Conditions FB page is one source of information on the road's current state.
Ehand
New Member
Good first trip of the year to Critter. All Coho by the lighthouse the first day so we did the run to Esperanza the second day. Long run but worth it - limited on some nice Chinooks and added a few more Coho by around 10am. Fished the flats off of the lighthouse Tuesday morning and ended up with a few nice lings and a chicken halibut. All in a great introduction to Nootka for the nephew. Left the boat in GR, back at Critter on Monday.
Hopefully the prawners are gone soon. One is using the GR boat ramp for loading/offloading. Cuts the capacity of the ramp in half.
Hopefully the prawners are gone soon. One is using the GR boat ramp for loading/offloading. Cuts the capacity of the ramp in half.
Thanks
What did you pay for fuel in Zeballos?
Its $2.32 +tax working out to around $2.41 per liter at Westview.
Port Eliza Fishing
Well-Known Member
It's on in in Esperanza. Lots of salmon, chinook and coho, in 100 to 130 feet of water high rocks to low rocks. Small spoons or anchovies ( dont need anchovies) Had some guys do well at Ferrer. Bottom fishing steady too!
High Rocks just outside Yellow Bluff.
Stoisy
Active Member
Wasn't looking high enough! Thanks @Redfisher
Ehand
New Member
Both Chinook and Coho were full of very tiny bait fish. Interesting because I typically drag a white coho killer that could not get a hit on this trip. Switched to a dark green / brown cuttlefish hootchie (I think it’s called the turd). and it was on. The hootchie with the twinkle skirt outfished the non twinkle skirt 3-1.
Good Luck!
I think it was $2.12 but that was about 3 price hikes ago. You can give them a call:
Zeballos Fuels
Contact: Adrian and Angie O’Connor
802 Maquinna Avenue
Landline: 250-761-2003
Cell: 250-886-0315
zeballosfuelsmarina@gmail.com
Squid must be starting to show if the turd is producing. Gotta love that.
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