Here is my "1st time in Nootka" report. Aug 5-9.
Sunday pm: lost one at Camel Rock, one other hit, saw about 6 boated.
Monday am: trolled the shore from boundary to Burdwood. Released a 10 pounder in the first few minutes. One other good hit, just chinook shakers after that. Saw several nice ones caught.
Monday pm: zip at a few inside spots, not much happening for others either.
Tuesday am: back to Burdwood, many shakers, kept one about 7 pounds, getting desperate. lunch at Friendly Cove (chips, chocolate, and pop) trolled around the lighthouse, more undersized springs.
Tuesday afternoon: back to Burdwood Bay for a nap on the beach (one benefit of an 11 foot boat is beachability)
Tuesday pm: completely dead at Burdwood, tried way up inside by Moutcha just before the gillnet opening at 9pm, I got none but others got a few.
My idea of getting to know one area well persisted, plus there was the net opening inside so I figured I had to get out farther again so:
Wednesday am: Burdwood, nothing but shakers, but found out it was hot the night before just after I left. Tried at the Lighthouse, but the bite was over before I got there.
Wednesday pm: Hoiss Point (campground neighbours got 4 there in the morning). Got a spectacular double header right off the point. Gong show fishing solo, but got the first one in quite quickly (20 lbs) and then started to work on the second one. Managed to clear the fish and hooks from the net, get the riggers up and land the second fish (32 lbs).
Thursday am: back to Hoiss finished my limit with an 18lb.
Tried many different set ups based on this thread and other tips and advise and here is what I found.
Coyotes = shakers
Long leaders during slow fishing did not work for me.
Best setup was a #500(blue glow) Krippled helmet 4 foot leader behind a red glow flasher. (18 + 32) on this
Next best setup was a gold chrome Krippled holder, 4 foot leader with a gold betsy flasher. (20 + 2 other hookups on this).
Most of my other holders are Rhys Davis, but I didn't get any keepers on a variety of setups.
It seemed that you had to put in time and be there when a spurt of fish showed up. I would say it was slower than I anticipated, but that double-header made for a great fishing memory for me.
Had a great time at Moutcha Bay, not very much farther than Cougar from the main spots, road was excellent. I'll be back next year.
If you read this far, I hope it is helpful to any other first timers.