Explore:NW Explore:NW Spring 2016 | Page 47

terry sheely photo conifer-crowned land plugs that divide two massive saltwater areas—Queen Charlotte Strait to the northwest and Strait of George to the southeast. Chaos erupts when the east-west tide switches and the forces rush flood to ebb from the long gush pent up inside Bute Inlet. Powerful currents become seething saltwater rapids, build into violent crashes inside rock walled narrows and spawn epic whirlpools between the islands. The islands, glaciers, inlets, waterfalls, whirlpools, fjords, saltwater rapids and wildlife create a dynamic, dramatic backdrop in which to catch salmon bright as chrome and prime with flavor. Five species from dozens, maybe hundreds of localized river runs pass through Desolation Sound from early spring into deep fall. As early as March 1, with snow still far down on the surrounding mountains anglers are looking for winter-springs and early run spring Chinook. Fishing pressure is light, by any measure at any time, with miles of wilderness and waterways between here and the nearest sizeable communities. Most fishermen are paired with guides based at the few remote lodges or are nomadic private boaters exploring the Inside Pass, fishing and crabbing for dinner. Salmon action starts early in March targeting winter-springs (immature resident) kings and the first wave of transient spring Chinook. Both are attracted here by huge concentrations of herring packed into spawning areas up Bute Inlet and concentrated by the powerful currents. Seals, sea lions, whales, eagles, diving birds and thousands of salmon come to gorge on the baitfish. The herring spawn ends by the first of May, but is followed in mid-summer when the young herring that were spawned in spring refill the terry sheely photo terry sheely photo terry sheely photo Desolation Sound, seen here from above, reveals a host of wildlife including the occasional black bear looking for morsels along the shoreline. But it’s the rugged coastline, snow-capped mountains and plethora of salmon that pass by these waters that draw most people here including this angler who caught this nice Tyee caught while fishing at Dent Island Lodge. water with firecracker-size proteins that feed each new arriving run of salmon. Hot spots vary as the herring move through the season, and the fish guides keep track. In late June through mid-summer the runs of incoming Chinook are fleshed out with arriving \waves of sockeye, early coho, and pink salmon. In September and October, the sockeye and pinks have pretty much passed through the islands, replaced by highly coveted typically 10-to 20-pound northern cohos and bright chums. Through it all—there are Chinook here, either aggressive resident winter-springs or tyee-size migrants moving through. Several large rivers feed this area of Desolation Sound and pour into Bute Inlet and most support spawning runs of salmon that feed brown and black bears, and provide kick-in-the-butt light-tackle fishing for river salmon and opportunistic sea-run trout and Dolly Varden char that feast on salmon spawn. Trout and dolly action is available year-round in many areas, especially off the mouths of tributa