Elk 2008 info thread

This is an absolutely awesome event, in a beautiful location, with unmatched angling.  The event is a fundraiser for the Greenwood Community Center.  While it may seem like there are a lot of "restrictions", its all to maintain the love.  This is my favorite event of the year, and you will have a blast.  Good cause, great people and scenery, outstanding angling.

Registration

Registration for this event is limited.  The town of Elk doesn't want this to be a huge event, so we have to live with these rules.  The good news is the "small" size does keep it cozy. Even at the limited size this is one of the biggest kayak fishing tourneys in Norcal.  The limitations are as follows:

50 "overnighting" non-mendocino county residents.  The 50 only includes registered kayak anglers, not family members in your group.  Reg includes "overnighting" (formerly known as camping) at the Greenwood Community Center (GCC) for Fri. and Sat. nights. This part of the reg is SOLD OUT!

Unlimited reg to "non-overnighting" Mendocino county residents. Reg. for this group is $30 for the tourney and events on Sat. Does not include any overnighting.

Between out-of-county and local participants expect around 75 anglers this year...there are a lot of mendo folks in 2008.

About the GCC and the event

We will have all of the same facilities as last year.  The commercial kitchen has been improved again, in part, from our donation from last year.

We will have outside showers again and nice porta potties, as well as indoor potties for the ladies.  PLEASE use the porta-potties as much as possible, this place is on septic!  And to keep the neighbors happy please no wizzing outside!

We will do movies and popcorn again on Friday night.  If you have a favorite yak fishing movie please bring it.

Potluck on Saturday, with two kegs courtesy of GWKC.  This is the best part of the event.  Be prepared to bring a big dish to share.  The quality of chow produced by the NCKA members is outstanding!!! Be hungry!!! We also have a new wood fired oven, if you want to use it for the potluck please let me know in advance.

There will be a prize (Good wine!) for the best dish this year in honor of Chef.  If you want you dish considered have it labeled with a dish name and your name.  The winner will be picked by ballot...aka people's choice...get your cook ON!!!

The potluck is open to anyone, including non-anglers and the community.

To prevent damage to the GCC septic system, we cannot park on the lawn this anymore. Be prepared to park in a designated parking area and schlep your overnighting gear to the "lawn" area.  The camp will open on Friday at 10 am, and you need to vacate on Sunday by 1:00 pm

Also DO NOT park in front of the fire station garage doors...not even temporarily.

Tourney

Tourney will be on Sat.  Launch at 0600 or as soon as it is deemed safe.  Weigh-in at 1330 at the GCC.  Single heavy fish format.  Last years winning lings have been around 20#s.  Oh my!!!

First prize is a Trident 13 from Ocean Kayak and Tsunami Sales and Marketing. 

Raffle

Erik Kunz will be doing a raffle to benefit Coastside again this year.  Coastside has spent a fortune on the MLPA and has REALLY had our back.  If there was ever a time to show your support, it is NOW!!!  Knowing Erik you can only imagine what first prize will be!  Lots of other great prizes too.
   
About the Resources

This is a low-pressure fishing area, and as a result the fishing here can be outstanding.  We ALL want it to stay this way.  Please harvest selectively.  A warden lives directly adjacent to the GCC.  He doesn't like this event.  Expect ALL DFG regs. to be strictly enforced.  Since most will be on site for multiple days be mindful of both daily and possesion limits.  With the quality of fish to be had, you WILL leave with PLENTY of fish.

About the town

Elk is a small town on Hwy 1 about 9 miles south of Hwy 128. It is a living postcard...beautiful.  Expect it to take approximately 1.5 hours from the town of Cloverdale.  Aproximately 3 hours from the Golden Gate.  Traffic in Sonoma County can be hell!

There are several outstanding cafe's within walking distance and a small general store next door.  Lots of nice boutiques etc. too.  I encourage you to patronize the local businesses.

The whole town will be watching us again.  We are slowly but steadily gaining strong support from the majority of the town, so lets keep it up!  Please help us keep this event alive by being who we are.

About the launch

We will be overnighting on a bluff.  There is a long, moderately steep fire road to the beach.  You will need some sort of cart.  It is WAY too long to carry a yak.  REALLY.

The launch is a surf launch that varies with the swell.  Under 6 feet its generally not too tough if your an experienced surf launcher.  Over six feet is for the experienced only.  If its too rough or too long of a walk, you are allowed to launch anywhere in the vicinity and enter your fish.

See you there!!

Thanks, Sean.  Just two questions:

-Is it cool to sleep in my truck in the parking area, (assuming there's no parking in the camping area)?

-Would there be any problem locking up yaks and leaving them on the beach overnight?


Thanks.
Eric

If I make it up there at 9am fri, am I allow to fish for fun (non-tornament)?

If I make it up there at 9am fri, am I allow to fish for fun (non-tornament)?

It has been done in the past, no problems.
One of my fondest memories of Elk was watching my son ( CHUB ), Chef, Zilla, and JDYak from the cliff above paddle off to pre-fish Friday.
That was the day CHUB proved himself to 'the guys' that he could take care of himself OTW as the conditions were less than favorable.
Yes, there are four dots on the water.

i remember that friday, and you on the radio checking up on him
i will be there at 9 or 10 am on friday.

Yes you can sleep in your rig.

Feel free to leave them on the beach, but it isn't really secure.

Yes you can fish on Friday...infact I recommend it!

Is it too early in the week to start praying to the wind gods to turn the fans off???

Wind: This site was posted last year as a source for weather info on Elk.   I have been trying to avoid reading about Elk this year because I knew I wouldn't be available, so maybe it's been posted somewhere this year too.  Best of luck to all, and have fun!
http://magicseaweed.com/Virgin-Creek-Surf-Report/303/

Directions: for the first timers...

http://www.elkcoast.com/greenwoodcommunitycenter/location.html

I remember the big kitchen, with the big range & such, but I can't remember if there is a micorwave. Does anyone know?
I'm considering bringing up some burritos for Friday dinner.

I don't think there is a microwave. 

Hope this improves/changes for the better.    Cape Mendocino to Point Arena and out to 10nm.   Saturday nw wind 20-25kt   wind waves 5-7ft   nw swell 5ft   patchy fog   I will be bringing a big bottle of dimenhydrinate/generic dramamine. Anyone that needs any just ask the guy with the red cobra navigator. I'll never use up this bottle by myself. Jim/redyak

Tuesday is a long ways from Saturday when it comes to Bouy 14

I talked to a Person who lives on the Sea's edge at Elk around 12:00 today.  Mind you, this person is

 not a Sea weather person or someone who counts swells per second, But her official report was...

 " The Sea is a Lake and there is a Little Breeze, Just Beautiful out Here.......   "

HAVE A SAFE DRIVE EVERYONE!!
See you all tomorrow.