May. Not far behind, a myriad of recreational boaters also bring lots of color in the way of sails and ships. As June progresses, the opportunity to catch a chinook salmon or bottomfish on the way to port or secluded anchor increases by the tide. Literally millions of baitfish throughout the islands tempt the day sailor or cruiser into stopping for a quick fishing expedition. Even if a chinook doesn t find your bait, a rockfish likely will. Choosing when and where to go is a tough choice for the hard-core anglers.
Chinook salmon attract the largest and most loyal group of island anglers.
However, with limited space in the icebox and limited time between ports or anchorages, a myriad of bottomfish ranging from rockfish to lingcod provide the easiest opportunities to put fresh fish onto the hook, into the galley and on the table. Just like fishing for salmon, anglers need to keep their jigs or cut-plug herring on or near the bottom. June through August are peak times to intercept large mature chinook salmon passing through the area. While these locales can be excellent one day, they can be dry of fish the next. To consistently find chinook on the inside waters, it's a good idea to stay within easy reach of Rosario Strait because this is the route most mature chinook follow.