Moutcha Bay Resort 2006 Kayak Fishing Derby, Sept 2-4

http://www.moutchabay.com/Kayaking_Derby.htm

This is on Vancouver Island.  Check out the pics and video.  Fishing done from SIKs.  Winning king salmon in 2004 was 31.5 pounds!  In 2005 the winner was 22.5 pounds.  Wow indeed!!

<<<So many smiley's and I can't find one that is a drooling smiley>>>

-Allen

It looks like they were jigging for salmon the same way we were on the Sac last fall.  I noticed the color of the fish too.

Yes, September is late the season for kings that far north.  However, these are all taken in saltwater so they fish are still "fresh".

-Allen

It looks like there will be at least 3 people from NWKA (NorthWest Kayak Anglers) there to "represent".  If anyone from here is thinking of making the trip, let me know, and I'll hook you up with those guys.

-Allen

I fished Moucha Bay/Nootka Sound in my Cobra FnD two summers ago (early Aug.).  We stayed one night at Moucha Bay, but found it - for lack of better and kinder description - like camping in an urban  industrial yard.  It wasn't what you would imagine either camping in pristine areas or salmon resort high style.  We left for an off-the-road-by-the-river campsite (suitable for four or five camps and perhaps 2-4 miles before Moucha Bay Resort) two nights. 
Then we went to the best of all, Cougar Creek Campground.  Cougar is on the Sound about 30 minutes paddling from Moucha Bay.  Excellent inexpensive campsites, free boat launch, and very friendly campers (all fishing) and campground host.  No services, but a motorboat ride away at Cripple Creek resort across the sound has services.  You could hitch a ride from a camper to get fresh bait and ice, etc. 
The salmon season was just starting, but all were loading up with possession limits of 16 chinooks over the course of the week.  I caught small Rockfish and a Ling.  The only salmon I caught was on a boat of our neighbor's and they "knew" no one could catch a salmon from a kayak and invited me out one evening.   The fish were down 40-75 feet and were being caught on coyote spoons, cut-plug herring, and anchovies on FBR-style harnesses. All the Chinooks were 12-35 lb. (15-20 lb avg) and a few Cohos were in the mix.  The weather was fine.  Some days the wind blew into the Sound at 15+ mph, however, it wasn't enough to stop me and was wholly managable and safe.  Moucha Bay is off to the side at the end of the Sound and it was more protected.  The locals told me that in late August and early Sept. the Bay boils with salmon schooling up before heading up river to spawn.  They said late August is the prime fishing time. 
I was an oddity in my kayak.  Everyone that I talked to said they had never seen anyone fishing from a kayak let alone seeing a kayak rigged up for fishing.  They all said I could never handle a 20 lb salmon and that it would pull me for miles.  (Last Oct. I caught a 19 lb. chinook in Carquinez Strait and I handled it nicely although it did tow me more than a quarter mile.)
The road from Campbell River is paved to Gold Beach (correct name?) -2 hrs. then another hour or so to Nootka Sound on excellent graded logging roads.
Tsasit is a very nice town to visit beyond Moucha Bay maybe 45 min. away on the nice dirt road (excellent campgrd. there also).  They have a grocery store, gas, restaurants, tackle shop, charter boats and large upscale marina. At the marina on two consec. days I saw them bring in a 210 lb and 232 lb Halibut and loads of large rockfish and salmon.  They gave us a large brick size piece of the halibut which was outstanding for seviche (it was perfect texture).  The steaks we BBQ'd were somewhat chewy, but still great eating.
My wife and I had a great time on Vancouver Island.

Good info piscolabis.  I'm sure the guys will appreciate it.  Thanks.

-Allen

looks like a great event, pulling strings now

Dan,

If you're going to make the trip all that way and have some time to spare, there is another gathering at Tofino on Vancouver Island the weekend before.  I think they are about 5-6 hours apart, but don't hold me to that!   And you have to go through the famed Campbell River area.  If I had a week to spare, I'd definitely hit that circuit up there.

-Allen

Looks like this is going to be a hit and run, I am buying the air tickets now to make the Moutcha Bay Tourney. The week before I have off with my wife, kids still in camp, and I am still not sure how I am going to get the time off for this I am hoping I can barrow a kayak from ya, I'll steel my Mom's new truck to get there, and use my brother's best fishing gear for the tourney . Be just like the old days!Keep me posted...DANGLIN or Don Anglin

I am also working on trying to make The Dana Point Tourney right after that on the 9th

Don,

Where's your report on this derby?  I heard you were on fire.  And that the kayak I loaned you won a prize.   

-Allen

 I got off  the plane and drove to San Diego

 Moutgha Bay, It was fantastic! 11 or so landed, with a few let go by the side of the boat

I've posted reports elsewhere, and I am still working on posting pictures,

Thanks so much for making the trip possible and will catch up to ya on the net,

A 30# " Tyee Monster " made swiss cheese of it!!! The whole event was captured by  Moutcha Jim on video

Should be posted on his web site soon or on the DVD,

Don't know what else  to say right now, will post more when I get this picture thing worked out ...Danglin

Here's first try on the pics

Here come some more! (I hope)

So did you win??!?!?!

It Worked!!!!

Ya, I won a prize for " most technally advanced kayak " A case of 10w30 oil ( gave it to snag-a-butt ) and a kool small camp light. I would have had 2nd prize if I caught my 30# on Saturday instead of Friday

" Depth Finder on a kayak Eh? " Kind of threw em, but man was it kool to have a ff up there. Tons of marked fish under me, really kept me working.

Really suggest making this event in the future, lots of great people and fun