I took my first trip to Nootka last July.
Stayed at Critter Cove: they make it pretty easy and comfortable, gas right there, any gear you need at the store, and the restaurant has good food. I stayed in a cabin on the dock. Next time I'd just pay moorage and sleep on my boat.
About the only negative for Critter is its a fairly long run to the outside if that's where the fishing is. There are floating resorts sprinkled around Nootka Sound, and some may be closer, I'm not sure which is which. Hoiss Point Lodge has a killer location...I figure you could cast buzz bombs from their dock and get into monster springs in the right time of year.
Fishing last year was SLOW in first week of July -- I quickly realized why July 15-Sept 1 is booked solid, yet lots of availability in first 2 weeks of July. The stories I hear is that is turns on like a light switch when the fish arrive.
The other negative for Critter is it may be too comfortable...if you want some of that roughing it outdoors feel, you won't get it there. Camping at Cougar Creek would probably be better for that (5 minutes across the inlet from Critter). I like the idea of anchoring alone in some little inlet, but it is mostly cliffs dropping into deep water from what I could see, so it might be hard to find good anchorages (had trouble finding a place to put out a crab trab...which was useless, by the way).
And finally....bring a spare prop! Lesson learned there...it takes 4 hours to kicker to Gold River from Critter by the way. [
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Good luck!
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