Hello all and thanks for having such a great informative sight. I have a friend in Seattle that has recently made his fortune in the internet business and he has invited me to come try out his new boat with him the last week in July. He has a 51 foot bayliner and has taken it out in the sound quite a bit. He doesn't fish however so he has no idea were around the San Juans to go to fish and what bait and tackle to use. I love to fish but I've never fished saltwater or for anything bigger than a 15 pound steelhead from a river. I have a small ugly stick and a reel that handles most river and lake fish fine. Anyway I'm looking for ideas on where to go and what to use. Can anyone help? I'd appreciate any help you can give as I am a working stiff and may never get an opportunity to ocean fish again. I really don't want to sit in a chair and watch the scenery I'd rather be fishing. My buddy said he'd take me anywhere around the San Juans I wanted to go and let me fish all I wanted but I'm clueless and so is he about fishing. Thanks in advance for your help and I'd really appredciate any help you could give.

Forrest Andersen, Idaho

Don't get your hopes up too high. WDFW creel reports are running about 1 fish for every 8 rods.

It's gonna cost your buddy a bunch of $$ to troll that big old boat around for salmon. Sounds like he has the dough, but it still seems like kind of a waste to me.

Have him take you up to Roche Harbor. Drop a couple crab pots in Westcott Bay, have lunch and a couple beers, collect up your crabs, and then at least you'll have something to bring home.

The easiest place to fish in the San Juans (in my opinion) with the greatest chance to catch a salmon is on the west side of San Juan Island. Start at Salmon bank on the South tip and troll along the west side of the island. Check the reg's to make sure you stay in the "legal zones" in that area. Get a hot spot flasher and green squid for coho and kings or use a pink squid for the humpies. All three species should be there. Best fishing starts in August and carries through September and October (if its still open then). Have fun. It's a "beautiful place to fish."

Any ideas on line test I should be using? I'm trying to get my stuff gathered up before I go and this 10 pound test fireline probably won't cut it?? I'm getting really stoked seeing all your posts and pictures. I know I don't have much chance of catching anything but I'll fish all four days and nights if I have too. I've gathered up an old levelwind from my uncle and I can't find any of the dodgers or divers ya'll are talking about here so I'll probably have to buy them when I hit Seattle. Any shops that are more knowledgeable than others? Tnanks again for all your help fellas. I know I'll catch something I just hope it isn't a cold. LOL
Forrest

Stop by the King's Market in Friday Harbor in San Juan Island, they have a large fishing section, and they can set you up with the right gear. You pretty much have to fish with down riggers to catch salmon in the San Juans, unless you spot schools of humpies on top, in which case you can sight cast small pink buzz bombs or spoons to them. Try trolling for kings at 30 to 60 feet early in the morning in tight to the lighthouse at Lime Kiln Point or Pile Point. For silvers, slack tide 40 to 70 feet on the downrigger using the stuff mentioned in the post above. 10 pound test is definitely not enough for downriggers, it would be fine for the humpies. Good Luck!