Winter Harbour August trip

[submerged]

I am planning a fishing trip to WH in early August. There will be 4 of us, and we booked accommodation at the Outpost. After going there a few years back and failing miserably to get offshore (combination of a small boat and terrible weather) I’ve been determined to go back.

I see that July seems to be the preferred time to fish. The Outpost didn’t have much accommodation options for that time. I’m wondering if early August might still be ok for bottom fish and chinook.

 

[Captain PartyMarty]

Prime time! Plenty of fish around

 

[Dogbreath]

I fished the area once at that time and would never go back at that time-one small half dead Spring Salmon and the bottom fishing spots had been scraped bare.

Did catch one nice Coho but I can think of closer easier to fish places for that-call Port Eliza and see what they can do for you.

Port Eliza Lodge | World Class Ocean Fishing Lodge | Vancouver Island, British Columbia | Esperanza Inlet | Canada

The Elk River Lodge is a world-class trout fishing and mountain-activity destination located in Fernie, British Columbia. Providing turnkey service for fishing and adventure groups alike, there is nothing like a stay at the Elk River Lodge. With stunning views and incredible details throughout the h

www.portelizalodge.com

 

[Whole in the Water]

I would agree with above, if you go earlier there are more ground fish options closer in. If you can get out to the highway (approx. 300 ft contour) you can usually always find a salmon school coming through if you are there for 3-4 days.

 

[N2013]

You'll be fine. Read the old threads/reports for regulation changes as some inside areas change regulations. Think there'll be some local fish poking back into the sound by then so some inside spots for salmon could be good "bad" weather alternatives. There's always bottom fish around but may need to work a bit to fill 4 licenses to find all them come august if you can't get too far away. It all depends on fish. Like anywhere, if there are fish around, it’s lights out.

 

[Samnjoe]

Terrible fishing most of the summer at Winter Harbor. Extremely difficult to find salmon or bottom fish. That's why I'll be there twice this year.

 

[submerged]

Terrible fishing most of the summer at Winter Harbor. Extremely difficult to find salmon or bottom fish. That's why I'll be there twice this year.

Haha, I’m seeing some polarizing opinions. I think we’ll give it a try. I usually fish Nootka for my annual summer trip, but just want to try something different. It just seemed strange to see so few bookings in August. Nootka on the other hand is like a carnival in August. You sometimes have to work for the fish there too. Last visit I had to go many many miles out on the Estevan side to get consistent bottom fishing, and never managed a ling over 20lbs.

 

[Samnjoe]

Haha, I’m seeing some polarizing opinions. I think we’ll give it a try. I usually fish Nootka for my annual summer trip, but just want to try something different. It just seemed strange to see so few bookings in August. Nootka on the other hand is like a carnival in August. You sometimes have to work for the fish there too. Last visit I had to go many many miles out on the Estevan side to get consistent bottom fishing, and never managed a ling over 20lbs.

18 pounds max for me.
Best eating. Big ones go back on my boat.

 

[sly_karma]

August 10, 2024. Day 1 of our annual charter with Qualicum Rivers. We've had this slot over the second weekend of August for a decade now. Has been consistently productive or we wouldn't keep coming back.

It's also worth noting that the weather this day was lumpy and foggy, so we did not run all that far for the bottom fishing, 30 minutes max from the lighthouse.

 

[submerged]

Wow, nice haul! I’d be happy if we managed that for the whole trip.

 

[the force]

August 10, 2024. Day 1 of our annual charter with Qualicum Rivers. We've had this slot over the second weekend of August for a decade now. Has been consistently productive or we wouldn't keep coming back.

It's also worth noting that the weather this day was lumpy and foggy, so we did not run all that far for the bottom fishing, 30 minutes max from the lighthouse.

View attachment 114977

Are those vermilion or what on the bottom right?

 

[Hardy Guy]

Those are bocaccio (longjaw) rockfish. The other 3 are Canary rockfish.

 

[the force]

Those are bocaccio (longjaw) rockfish. The other 3 are Canary rockfish.

Oh yeah totally, I didn’t think they were verm but couldn’t place them. Pretty good size. Thx

 

[sly_karma]

Oh yeah totally, I didn’t think they were verm but couldn’t place them. Pretty good size. Thx

Never hit so many bocaccio in that area. Was almost one for one with lings, only kept the larger ones. They've been great for fish tacos.

 

[the force]

Never hit so many bocaccio in that area. Was almost one for one with lings, only kept the larger ones. They've been great for fish tacos.

Yeah no doubt, I double checked back to my pics from 2023 and we didn't catch any… interesting to see.

 

[Hardy Guy]

A few years ago the bocaccio and large silver grey rockfish were very plentiful ..... along with pesky yellowed.

 

[Samnjoe]

A few years ago the bocaccio and large silver grey rockfish were very plentiful ..... along with pesky yellowed.

Long jaws are found in schools. Just have to move 50 yards sometimes to get out of them.

 

[Dogbreath]

A few years ago the bocaccio and large silver grey rockfish were very plentiful ..... along with pesky yellowed.

When I was there it was mega schools of Red Striped Rockfish-the month before they were all over the Inside/Queen Charlotte Strait so I wasn't suprised to see them-quite tasty little buggers they are too.

 

[sly_karma]

Conditions weren't pleasant that day, lumpy chop and the fog took away the horizon so I was near my limit, despite the meclizine. Dared not look down, all the jigging was done strictly by feel. Fish were being hauled up constantly, but a lot of them were orange or bocaccio. Took us an uncomfortable 2 hours to get a limit on lings. That hump was productive, but 300-320 ft deep, made for hard work. Whereas the springs were done in under 45 minutes, child's play.

 

[adanac]

Never hit so many bocaccio in that area. Was almost one for one with lings, only kept the larger ones. They've been great for fish tacos.

Interesting , they have always gone back over on my boats . The ones I retained in my early days cut a really strange grey / pinky color , and were crawling with worms , old timers told me they were good for nothing . These were exceptionally large fish though . 10 - 15 lbs .