Northwest Fishing Magazine September 2025 Volume 5 Issue 1 - Flipbook - Page 30
It was mid-June, and we
rolled into Neah Bay just
before evening. Our scenery
was fishing boats packed
into the marina and the
heavy smell of fireworks,
as the local kids ran the
waterfront. Surrounded
by lush rainforest and
steep cliffs, the village
sat within the Makah
Reservation and served
as a hub for recreational
and tribal fishing. June
marks the start of the
busiest season here. As
waters warm and baitfish
like sand lance, herring,
and anchovies flood the
area, predators follow in
force. From the protected
inshore waters of the Strait
to the jagged pinnacles
and kelp beds offshore of
Cape Flattery, anglers have
options for nearly every
style of saltwater fishing
imaginable. So let's go get
some sleep, cause early
tomorrow morning we have
a meeting at the dock with
Captain Fred Walker of
SeaWalker Charters.
Waking up early to the
smells and sounds of the
harbor is something I love.
Walking down to the boat,
seeing all the hustle and
bustle so early, watching
everyone load gear, and
exchanging stories will get
you excited for the day.
Finding the "SeaWalker"
boat was easy, and the
captain and deckhand
were eager and ready to
go. Our captain for the day
was Captain Fred Walker,
and he had one of the
cleanest, most organized
boats and operations, that
I knew immediately we
were in good hands. Not to
mention he's been fishing
these waters for over 30
years. With the top-notch
Kingfisher boat it was
loaded with the highest
quality of gear. From the
Tanacom electric reels to
the Custom Prolite Rods,
we had everything from
mooching, trolling, and
bottom fishing covered.
And he and his deckhand,
Max, take safety very
seriously, and the success
comes with it.
LINGCOD & ROCKFISH
As we motored out, we
were anywhere from 50-60
miles from shore and had
everything prepared for
the long day. Neah Bay is
legendary for bottomfish,
and June is prime time.
Lingcod are aggressive
and plentiful, often
