BLACKMOUTH REPORT: San Juans serve up slew of wintertime options
NEW Feb. 2, 2009 / 1:30 p.m

ROCHE HARBOR, Wash - You talk to the regulars of the Roche Harbor Salmon Classic, and, to a man, they have an "I got my butt kicked" story about February weather in the San Juan Islands.

Also to a man, they have stories of the 15- to 20-pound blackmouth that it takes to be in the money of the first event of the 2009 derby calendar. To put it bluntly, Marine Area 7 and the San Juan Islands are among the best winter blackmouth fisheries in Puget Sound, weather be damned.

"Here's the beauty of the Islands: regardless of which way the wind blows, there’s always a place to fish,” says Tony Floor of the NMTA, the administrator of the Northwest Salmon Derby Series. “You’re never going to catch big numbers of blackmouth in the Islands, based on the (hatchery) production of the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife and Canada, but there are some real dandies up there."

One peek at the fish at left - the 2007 Classic winner taken by Mike Simms - is proof enough of the Juans' big-fish potential. However, it's not quite as easy as pulling up the slug trail from last year and following it straight to the big 'uns.

"Those big fish will be somewhat localized," Floor advises. "You’ll find them in one place one year and another place the next year. But with blackmouth fishing, it’s all very basic: find the bait, find the fish.”

Island hopping: Your search for Island-hugging winter blackmouth starts with an accurate chart of the San Juans. If you were to read the results of recent Roche Harbor derbies and saw, for example, Mail Bay listed as the location for the winning fish in 2007, you'd have to do some serious chartwork to find the little bay located on the east end of Waldron Island.

Similar tiny hidey-holes abound by the dozen – if not hundreds – in the Islands, and every one of them can produce on various tides.

“That’s what’s unique about the Roche Harbor Derby and the Islands in general,” says Floor. “There are just so many places to fish. Blackmouth are like teenagers looking for a fridge. They totally move around. There are some unique areas that can produce almost any time of year, but if you’re fishing the Islands right, you’re making a few drags at your favorite places, and then moving around and being flexible.”

Starting points: As Floor points out, there are several well-known spots scattered throughout the inner Islands, and many of them offer protection from the prevailing winds that limit your ability to fish places like Lime Kiln and Salmon Bank. Some of those spots include:

nSpring Pass: Pouring out of President Channel between Jones Island and the westernmost “foot” of Orcas Island. Best on an incoming tide.

“Spring Pass and the west side of Orcas are like I-5 – everybody knows about ‘em,” says Floor. “Tell you what, though, it would be tough for me not to make a quick troll through there.

nThompson Point: On the northernmost edge of Orcas Island, just east of Bartwood Lodge. While you’re in the area, also check out Doughty Point and Parker Reef, which lies north and slightly west of Thompson Reef .

“There were some nice fish out on the east end of Parker Reef last year,” Floor says. “If I’m in that area, I’ll take a couple of passes over it.”

nHumphrey Head: On the northern end of Lopez Island, jutting due north between Shoal and Swifts bays.

nPeavine & Obstruction Passes: On opposite sides of Obstruction Island.

nPoint Lawrence: Dependable anytime Area 7 is open, fishing the ebb between Lawrence and Sea Acre.

nLopez Pass: Can be productive on either tide, but probably best on the ebb. You’ll find fish all the way up inside the pass, in the small eddy that forms near the edge of Mud Bay.

nO’Neal Island: Located off the northeast San Juan Island shoreline, just around the top of the island at the mouth of Rocky Bay.

“O’Neal kicked out some big fish 2 years ago,” says Floor. “That’s a little spot with some potential. No matter where you fish, one of the secrets to becoming a better salmon fisherman is recognizing what’s going on in a given season. You have to ask yourself ‘Why is one spot better than others in some seasons? Why is the north side of Orcas better than President Channel?’ You can pick up patterns. They might have to do with migration, bait, whatever. But they’re patterns you can use.”

-JS