San Juan Cruising charts?

Blue Water 23 · 08-10-2003, 05:41 PM

Where can I get a chart from the San Juan Islands? I saw the Evergreen Pacific one but that isn't really what I am looking for. I just want a one page map or a small book with just the San Juans. My buddy let me use his but he needed it back and I am headed up there on Wed. Is there a way to print on out?
How has everyone been doing up there? I can't wait to come up and have some fun and maybe catch a salmon. Thanks for the info/ reports in advance. Jesse

rockn'reel · 08-10-2003, 08:13 PM

I am not sure exactly what you are looking for but you might try the San Juan Cruising Atlas. Fisherman's, West Marine, Boater's World, and sometimes G.I.Joe's carry this book. I am not sure on the price, it will probibly be spendy. Just remember to compare the price of one chart which is big and cumbersome to this book which has the whole area and is small enough to store without worrying about wrecking it. Hope this helps

Sky-Guy · 08-11-2003, 09:24 AM

I was looking for chartsthis weekend at Barnes and Noble and the only one they had was of the San Juans. Looked like a nice chart book.

BUGLEMAN · 08-11-2003, 10:43 AM

Go to Captains Nautical Supply. They have alot of San Juan Island charts ask the help to dig them out for you. Spread out the charts and pick the one you want. I suggest an over all chart and the book. While you are there check out Gunk Holing the San Juans, your trip won't be the same without it.

Blue Water 23 · 08-11-2003, 12:01 PM

Where is Captain's Nautical Supply? Do you think it would be a good idea to just wait until I get up there and buy one up there? Is there a place to leave a trailer in Anacortes? I figured I would save over $100 by driving the boat over (between the ferry and extra vehicle parking). Are there any reports for any kind of salmon from up there? Any other websites or has anybody heard how it's been.

corrirod · 08-11-2003, 12:29 PM

Bluewater,

I think Captains Nautical went belly up this winter. I saw it was for sale and then I saw the building was emptied shortly after.

Anyway, I think I've got the chartbook and the gunkholing book if you'd like to borrow it. I live in Beaverton.

They do sell a one page map of the San Juans but it is very poor in detail and you'll want the extra detail to make sure you don't run aground or hit any submerged rocks. There are also some large currents and tidal exchanges to be aware of.

Call me if you want to arrange to borrow the charts. 503-626-7264

Phil Layer · 08-11-2003, 12:39 PM

I just got back from the San Juans. Fishing reports were pretty poor. I was told I was about two weeks too early for the humpies. You might get into them while you're there.

Good luck.

BUGLEMAN · 08-11-2003, 12:44 PM

West Marine up there around Seattle has the chart book. I would bet the one down here has what you need or at least, could bring ship down or put it on hold.

Green Machine · 08-11-2003, 08:29 PM

A couple of different places to leave a trailer in Anacortes. One is right downtown. Follow 20 into town and hang a right. Go through all the stoplights and take the last right to the marina. They can lift you off and can store a trailer. You can also launch/store at Twin Bridges off 20, about 5 miles before Anacortes. This puts you in the Swinomish Channel and the gateway to the islands. DON'T TAKE THE FERRY!!! Lines are terrible as only one is running right now. Gas is cheap. :smile: Fishing is doing ok. The Humpies are starting to pile in around Deception Pass. For kings, stay on the outside. Fraser fish are still being caught at West beach, just have patience.

Green Machine

rockn'reel · 08-11-2003, 08:41 PM

Depending on your boat, I would put in at Cornet Bay (Deception Pass). If weather is nice it is a quick run to San Juans and there is ample fishing to try on the way!

Blue Water 23 · 08-11-2003, 08:48 PM

Thanks for the offer Corrirod. I live in Gladstone and am tutoring all day tommorow but I wish I could have gotten out there to take you up on it. I have to pack 4 days of teaching into 2 days this week because of my vacation.

I won't be home until late evening and have to pack. We have to make it up to Anacortes by 11:30 for the ferry on Wed. We are leaving the trailor but taking one truck across for all of our gear. We only have a 20 ft. Blue Water and 4 of us going (My Parents my wife and I) so we can't fit everything in the boat.
Is there any submerged rocks or sand bars to look out for going from Anacortes to the camp ground on Lopez? My body has a chart and will be at the campground so all I need is to make it there and I will be set. What part of the island is the campground on? How long is it from Seattle to Anacortes? Where is Deception Pass? You guys are great for offering so much info and the charts. If any of you need to learn about Sturgeon fishing I would love to return the favor this fall and winter. Thanks a lot for everything. Jesse

Badger · 08-11-2003, 10:31 PM

Jesse, I find the waterproof plastic maps by "FISHnMAP Co." ($6.95 ea.) are pretty handy up there. Only downside it they're split onto two maps, N & S, with the break going right down the middle.

Last few trips up there, I put in at Skyline Marina, 360.293.5134, west of Anacortes a few clicks on Fidalgo Is., nice lift and cute little marina. That's also where I picked up the maps, although you can probably find them all over.

If I had to guess, there's more than one campground on Lopez Island. Might want to check if you're not real sure just where you're going.

"The San Juan Islands, Afoot & Afloat" is a pretty good guide for tooling around the San Juan Islands too. Got it at either West Marine or Fishermans, can't remember.

No clue on the fishing report. 4th of July was about the opening of the season last year, update us when you return will ya.

Oh yeh, Captains Nautical closed PDX shop last month, manager went back to Spokane. I ordered a different chart from their Seattle store Friday, just before going to the coast for the weekend, and it was here this morning when I returned.

Bryan