San Juan Islands

[PeterMac]

Going to Orcas Island for the week of July 4th. Taking boat of course, so I would like to be prepared for all of the harvesting opportunities that may be present. We are staying at West Beach Resort on Orcas.

Anyone able to help me out a bit? I will be taking crab pots, and fishing gear, but not sure what to go after with the rods. Also interested in the clamming and shrimping?

Thanks!
PeterMac

[bajaspecial]

Don't take oysters off the beach without a permit. images/icons/rolleyes.gif images/icons/grin.gif

[Kerry]

OK I will clue you in. In July the best Salmon fishing is on the out-side of San Juan Island (pile pt,lime kiln, ect) but 2 very good spots closer to Orcas are Presidents channel and along the south side of Waldren Island and Pt Disney. A little farther north is Sucia Island if the bait is there. These are big fish that are headed to the Fraizer river have fun!! images/icons/shocked.gif

[THE REEL HEY_YALL]

What's up PeterMac, haven't seen you post in a while?

The black mouth salmon (feeder kings) are full time residents, with the months of October to January being the most productive fishing. May brings spring runs headed for their home rivers on the mainland to spawn, with the Fraser and Skagit River runs most prominent. The summer season offers king and silver salmon runs and humpy runs occur every odd year to add excitement.

While salmon fishing is by all odds the major attraction of sports fishermen, bottom or rock fishing can be productive for a variety of fish, notably the ling cod and rock cod. Mooching for bottom fish with jigs, herring, or almost anything will attract succulent fish for the table.

Hope this helps.

N.W.O.
Redneck Pro-Staff

[Richter]

PeterMac,

Orcas Island is an awesome place. I'll be up there the first week of August. If you have a chart of the area, these places are easy to find.
Salmon: I haven't fished for salmon up there, but I did see a few caught by Pt. Doughty (NW Side)last year.
Bottomfishing: A) Skipjack Island, Small island north of Waldron Island. B)Parker Reef, North side of Orcas. Catch a slack tide at Parker Reef. The water really rips through there when the tide is running.
Crabbing: If you go to fish up north throw the crab pots off along North Beach/Terrill Beach. Look for the other crab pots. West Sound is another good spot. I usually moor the boat at West Sound Marina , so we rebait them on the way out for the day, and pick up the crab on the way in. We've done real well just east of the Marina, east of Picnic Island. Hope this helps.

[Pitch Pocket]

My family and I will be on San Juan Island 7/9-7/16 with the sled. I'd like to take a guided trip the first day to get the lay of the land and local knowledge. Can anyone recommend a San Juan Island guide?

[PeterMac]

Thanks much for all the advice! This is going to be a great trip images/icons/grin.gif

PeterMac