2024 Nootka Sound/Esperanza Inlet Reports

[Fishtech1]

I've been up there mid to late September and usually have been able to buy fuel and ice sometimes at Critter and usually at Moutcha Bay, especially if they are still doing tuna runs.
As far as launch is concerned, everything pescador said is spot on.

 

[Keith Brown]

I've been up there mid to late September and usually have been able to buy fuel and ice sometimes at Critter and usually at Moutcha Bay, especially if they are still doing tuna runs.
As far as launch is concerned, everything pescador said is spot on.

Last year I went to buy gas at Critter Cove just after Labour Day (5th or 6th) and it was closed up tight. I understand why, we were there for 4 days and we saw two other recreational fishing boats. Fortunately for me and my crew our boat has VERY long legs. We were going to gas up and have breakfast just to get off the boat after 3 days. By the way their web site made no mention of closing early, which seems odd for such a classy marina. My advise is to call them if your going anytime in September.

 

[WB59]

There last night of the season is Aug 23 doubt there would be much open after that

 

[Keith Brown]

There last night of the season is Aug 23 doubt there would be much open after that

Looks like they updated their web site, doesn't mention a closing date that I could see. Last year their web site said open till "Mid September". Like I said I can see why they close, the place is deserted. The coho are running thick and "Walmart" is wide-open off the light house (You can catch anything you want there). I'm making back to back trips starting the last day of August. I won't expect them to be open.

 

[Keith Brown]

I decided to go the next morning. The KingFisher 3025 can be a real chore on a steep boat launch and the trailer and boat is just under 40ft long combined with the fact that I already know I'm going in heavy. I just don't want to take a chance on ruining our trip before we get started.
Thank You all for your help it made a difference..

 

[WB59]

Yes mid sept was what I remembered as well but I sent an email to them and their response was last night was Aug 23 . I had the same idea as you early Sept Coho .

 

[pescador]

I decided to go the next morning. The KingFisher 3025 can be a real chore on a steep boat launch and the trailer and boat is just under 40ft long combined with the fact that I already know I'm going in heavy. I just don't want to take a chance on ruining our trip before we get started.
Thank You all for your help it made a difference..

Wise choice. I don’t know what tide you’re launching at, but, if it’s 4 ft or less I always keep my motor trimmed up a bit just in case. And generally……..favouring the right side (leaving) of the River is deeper. Just don’t go into that area north of the float plan dock as there’s that large bolder not visible till low tides. Good luck. You’ve got the place to yourself.

 

[Eden Island]

I went into Esperanza in mid-late September a couple of years ago. Moutcha Bay staff were still there cleaning up and winterizing, and they agreed to fuel and to freeze fish if needed. The fuel at Esperanza was open, and I believe stays open all year.

 

[David2]

Any recent reports from Nootka? Heading there this weekend and wondering if most of the local spots from critter are finished (the wall, camel, burdwood, coopte?) Wash rock might also be an option for us depending on weather… thx!

 

[cohochinook]

Looks like they updated their web site, doesn't mention a closing date that I could see. Last year their web site said open till "Mid September". Like I said I can see why they close, the place is deserted. The coho are running thick and "Walmart" is wide-open off the light house (You can catch anything you want there). I'm making back to back trips starting the last day of August. I won't expect them to be open.

Westview Marina should be open for gas. They are up the end of Tahsis Inlet.

 

[spring fever]

Westview Marina should be open for gas. They are up the end of Tahsis Inlet.

Esperanza produces much later than Nootka-used to guide there for westview

 

[MacDuff]

I went into Esperanza in mid-late September a couple of years ago. Moutcha Bay staff were still there cleaning up and winterizing, and they agreed to fuel and to freeze fish if needed. The fuel at Esperanza was open, and I believe stays open all year.

Esperanza fuel dock is open all year, but it's a good idea to contact them on 6 since they don't always have the generator running. They'll fire it up for customers. Westview in Tahsis is open until mid-late September.

 

[Drewski Canuck]

Not much going on at Nootka since the Commercial 3 day Cleanout. Apparently the gill netters were to have a 12 hour opening but I am hearing that it was extended to 3 days.

Alot of "pieces" were taken out of the Sound.

Over the years it has been common for the Canuma Springs to be stacked up in Moutcha Bay, waiting for the rain. DFO has allowed a Gill Net Opening that is usually over night. The lights from the commies focused on the nets makes the Bay look like daytime.

Sometimes the fish find their home stream and go back outside to feed waiting for the rains. But not much for reports from the outside around Friendly - Burdwood, so it appears that it will be thin pickings until the coho show up en masse.

Drewski

 

[bratzcpa]

Any recent reports from Nootka? Heading there this weekend and wondering if most of the local spots from critter are finished (the wall, camel, burdwood, coopte?) Wash rock might also be an option for us depending on weather… thx!

Hello DAvid2. We were there for a week (Cougar Creek). Fishing was very very slow inside. Springs (Chinook) seemed to have been through already. We did pick up a couple of coho outside -between the lighthouse and red can. However, inside, all the usual places were dead dead dead. We did not see ANYONE (not even one) with the net out at The Wall, Camel, Beer Can Bay, Hosis Pt, Burwood, etc. A few people were catching Chinook that were stacked up at Moutcha Bay mouth. I lost a nice one there to a sea, or sea lion. On the other hand, the winds were extremely calm, so it made it easy to go outside and get around.

The young man at Critter Cove told us when we stopped for fuel, that they would be closing the fuel dock in a couple of days.

 

[RiverBoy]

Last year I went to buy gas at Critter Cove just after Labour Day (5th or 6th) and it was closed up tight. I understand why, we were there for 4 days and we saw two other recreational fishing boats. Fortunately for me and my crew our boat has VERY long legs. We were going to gas up and have breakfast just to get off the boat after 3 days. By the way their web site made no mention of closing early, which seems odd for such a classy marina. My advise is to call them if your going anytime in September.

such a “classy marina”…. i spent a fortune on breakfast sandwiches there one morning and i mistakenly thought i could sit in their empty restaurant and eat it. wrong. cam himself told me to beat it. that same trip i was told to beat it as they were only serving dinner to the coast guard thst night. had no problem renting me a room, just everything else was a horrible experience.

 

[Keith Brown]

Yes mid sept was what I remembered as well but I sent an email to them and their response was last night was Aug 23 . I had the same idea as you early Sept Coho .

If you would like to join us your welcome to.
I'm doing 2 trips two trips to Nootka.leaving Victoria 06:00 on September 1st and September 8th. The 1st we're staying 4 days 3 nights and on the 8th we're staying 3 days two nights. We're after late season Coho and the odd Spring. Last year I was up there at the same time and the Coho were thick. We weren't able to visit the offshore Walmart for halibut, ling and rock fish due to a queazy camper, but it's a fun trip to end the summer on an put some late season fish in the freezer.
P.S. The queazy camper won't be with us on either trip this year. LMAO

 

[David2]

Just got back from our weekend trip… pretty much dead on the inside at the moment. We tried many spots on the inside but nothing… between the lighthouse and wash worked for us, but only two springs and two coho for the weekend … jigged up two lings which was nice as we couldn’t really go offshore! I believe critter is now closed, (not sure of gas and such)… we didn’t try moutcha bay but I think the recent rains and commercial opening limited the amount holding near the river. There’s probably lots there still but we didn’t go in to see. Great weekend though! Love that place!

 

[WB59]

If you would like to join us your welcome to.
I'm doing 2 trips two trips to Nootka.leaving Victoria 06:00 on September 1st and September 8th. The 1st we're staying 4 days 3 nights and on the 8th we're staying 3 days two nights. We're after late season Coho and the odd Spring. Last year I was up there at the same time and the Coho were thick. We weren't able to visit the offshore Walmart for halibut, ling and rock fish due to a queazy camper, but it's a fun trip to end the summer on an put some late season fish in the freezer.
P.S. The queazy camper won't be with us on either trip this year. LMAO

Thanks for the invite ! But we have switched gears a bit and made plans to fish Sandheads and that area after the first .. won't be the same as there
but it is what it is good luck! Cant wait here your report

 

[Keith Brown]

Thanks for the invite ! But we have switched gears a bit and made plans to fish Sandheads and that area after the first .. won't be the same as there
but it is what it is good luck! Cant wait here your report

Hmm I'm thinking of switching locations too at least for the second trip. The only thing is that Nootka has never let us down and we have the place to our self this time of year and it a great place for a picnic!! LMAO

 

[WB59]

I agree I was looking forward to the sept Fishing and camping and having the run of the place but I don't have a lot of fuel range and only so many Jerry cans . Work really threw a wrench into fishing this year ... Send Pict's of the picnic !