2025 Nootka Sound/Esperanza Inlet Reports

[Admin]

Post your fishing reports here!

 

[pescador]

Anybody driven the Gold River-Moutcha Bay road recently? How much is paved? Can it be done in a car versus a HD pickup? Thinking about going for a ride, but don’t want to destroy my 323 given it’s low clearance.

 

[saanauk]

It can definitely be done in a car and lots of people do it. Avoid the big pot holes and some random larger rocks. Think there has been a bit of snow lately so may want to wait for it to warm up a bit. I believe about 1/3-1/2 is paved now. There is a Tahsis Road conditions Facebook page if you are on Facebook. A couple weeks ago when I drove to Tahsis it was probably the best condition I have ever driven on in 15 years. Headed back on the 19th and can give you an update then if interested.

 

[pescador]

It can definitely be done in a car and lots of people do it. Avoid the big pot holes and some random larger rocks. Think there has been a bit of snow lately so may want to wait for it to warm up a bit. I believe about 1/3-1/2 is paved now. There is a Tahsis Road conditions Facebook page if you are on Facebook. A couple weeks ago when I drove to Tahsis it was probably the best condition I have ever driven on in 15 years. Headed back on the 19th and can give you an update then if interested.

Thanks. Yes, if you drive it again let me know.

 

[saanauk]

The road is not in very good shape currently. Definitely need a 4 wheel dive vehicle due to the snow on the pass by the lake. Spent a few days diving and shrimping. Shrimping was not great for us but there are a few around. Diving was excellent though.

Snow on the pass


Beautiful day in Tahsis


Spanish Shawl nudi at Double Island. It was rough out there and could feel the wave surge 98ft down.



Tri color nudi found near Ceepeecee



Medium sized Puget Sound King Crab


Grunt Sculpin in a dead giant barnacle

 

[Murry]

Thanks for the great pictures.
Hopefully the prawning will improve. I hope to be out there in about a month.

 

[kaelc]

The road is not in very good shape currently. Definitely need a 4 wheel dive vehicle due to the snow on the pass by the lake. Spent a few days diving and shrimping. Shrimping was not great for us but there are a few around. Diving was excellent though.

Snow on the pass
View attachment 115625

Beautiful day in Tahsis

View attachment 115626
Spanish Shawl nudi at Double Island. It was rough out there and could feel the wave surge 98ft down.
View attachment 115627
View attachment 115628

Tri color nudi found near Ceepeecee
View attachment 115629
View attachment 115631

Medium sized Puget Sound King Crab
View attachment 115632

Grunt Sculpin in a dead giant barnacle
View attachment 115633

Looks like some great visibility and you must have a nice camera and light! We were freediving south island and the visibility made it scarey for me I was so rusty.

 

[saanauk]

Looks like some great visibility and you must have a nice camera and light! We were freediving south island and the visibility made it scarey for me I was so rusty.

I just swapped to a new to me used camera which is an Olympus Tg-6 and a cheap Chinese light. For years I used a $150 canon g9 in a cheap housing without a light. Just the built in flash. The top 10-15 feet was pretty bad viz due to all the rain. Below that viz was probably 40-50ft.

 

[the force]

The road is not in very good shape currently. Definitely need a 4 wheel dive vehicle due to the snow on the pass by the lake. Spent a few days diving and shrimping. Shrimping was not great for us but there are a few around. Diving was excellent though.

Snow on the pass
View attachment 115625

Beautiful day in Tahsis

View attachment 115626
Spanish Shawl nudi at Double Island. It was rough out there and could feel the wave surge 98ft down.
View attachment 115627
View attachment 115628

Tri color nudi found near Ceepeecee
View attachment 115629
View attachment 115631

Medium sized Puget Sound King Crab
View attachment 115632

Grunt Sculpin in a dead giant barnacle
View attachment 115633

Wicked pics, love those nudi’s

 

[jim stepan]

Can anyone tell me if the gate is open for camping at cougar creek. some nice weather this weekend and want to get my boat wet!