Shelter Cove - 4/2 and 4/3/16 - Reviving the Addiction

Opening weekend for ocean salmon season at Shelter Cove.

The bite was tough, but the weather was outstanding!

Saturday's trip with Todd and John started off with a virtual kayak fest going on at launch before dawn. About 20 yakkers showed up to give salmon a shot, and about 3/4 of those were really experienced salmon anglers with lots of ocean kings bagged over the past several years. By the end of the day only 3 keepers were reported among the kayak fleet - the powerboaters did better, but they took all day and I don't think many limits came in, if any. A south swell and a bit of a sanded in launch area had us looking at some nasty sets right by the breakwater, but once we got outside the conditions were top notch all day. We gave it 8 hours and only rockfish and lingcod were landed by my guests and myself. Wrapped up the day late in the afternoon and visited friends for dinner and an early turn in at the Cove.

















Sunday I met up with Joe and John at the launch for round 2, and there were less than half the number of yakkers around. The water was a bit better and launch was basically back to its usual peaceful nature. The three of us did 7 hours on beautiful water with barely a breeze here and there. The bite was improved but still a tough one - we brought in 1 keeper Chinook and 1 shaker along with the usual rockies and lingcod up to 10 pounds. Filleting a fresh king at the end of the day to send home with my guests was a good topper to a very beautiful but challenging weekend of one of my favorite outdoor activities - offshore salmon trolling.























Trip dates are filling in for the early season - hope to meet you at the Cove.

Awesome post and photos....makes me wish I was there.  Thanks.

Thanks for the report from the Cove Eric.

The weather looks gorgeous!! Thanks for the report eric. I'm looking forward to getting out there at GSX

Amazing spring weather.  that's just crazy nice

 

Miles and miles and miles.  Good work out to say the least.  Thanks for the report and pics. 

I want to be there!!! soooo beautiful!

Sweet conditions, Glad you found one already! Cant wait to get up there.

Awesome as usual, thanks for the pictures!