Paradise 'but hunt 5/23

A big thanks to Adam and Barbara!

A tale soon to follow...

  Lkoos leki a gdoo oen......       

Nice tail!   

I was thinking of you guys today.  It was sweatshirt weather up here.  I'm sure you all managed to have Good Times.   

I dropped by about 9am with only 3 guys sitting on the launch...first time I can truly say...

LooKEd LiKE a FReAkY-DeaKY PlaSTiK NaVy out there...was CRAZY CRAZY.

My daughter loved seeing all the yaks-- "jelly beans"..."no honey, kayaks, like daddy's"  "akyak...kaya...kayak..kayak, kayak, kayak..."  This was followed shortly by "shiner bait"

Hope y'all had a great time out there...

Chime in fellas and ladies.
Those of us who had the misfortune of missing the event want details.

Always good to see NCKA folks, their families and potential members.  It was cold and windy but the company and the excellent grub made up for any minor discomforts.  Great to meet and greet NCKA folks that we only knew from their posts and to shake their hands and share their company.

The park and facilities were EXCELLENT.  The rangers (all of them) were so accommodating it was like we were guests in their house and we were the favorite cousins.  The scenery, fishing grounds, picnic area, parking lot and launch were awesome.

Adam, thanks for putting this together and spreading the madness...

Fishy details: only 3 butts caught and one C&R'd striper BUT the butts  were BIG.  ChuckE decided to give the rest of us a chance and showed up late but at the end of the day he had the big un'.   Here's a pic of Scott's (GB2) catch and can you believe it...that's the smallest one.

Gary

Adam -

Thanks to you and your family for organizing. Had a great time.  Finally got the hali monkey off my back. I guess the karma thing is true and BTW, ChuckE is the Yoda of bay hali fishing  , Details to follow but at 32" is my personal best kayak butt...

Scott

Fishy details: only 3 butts caught and one C&R'd striper BUT the butts  were BIG.  ChuckE decided to give the rest of us a chance and showed up late but at the end of the day he had the big un'.   Here's a pic of Scott's (GB2) catch and can you believe it...that's the smallest one.
Gary

Slight correction: there're 4 keeper Hali    I'll post report & picture later after dinner.  Here are a couple of Hali pictures:  ChuckE's Hali was a big fat 38" and Craig's was 33.5".

It was a nice day to relax. Overcast skies until mid afternoon. The breeze didn't kick in until late afternoon., but the water still looked flat. As Adam said, that's why they call the place Paradise. The The OTW pics were taken from the picnic site.

The fleet on the way in to chow down on some munchies. There was a LOT of food on the tables.

The arrivals continue...

When we stopped to get shiners at Keiths this morning at 6am The flag was blowing from the SSW. Straight out it was flying. Jay and Theresa showed up and we all said"wow it sure is windy". Keith would only sell us a total of 3 dozen. When I arrived I was mezmerized at all the kayaks and people. This was going to be way cool. Overcast and windy turned sunny and bright with all the great attitudes that were emanating from everyone. Joy and excitement in the air. No mad rush and all just putting the stuff together and down to the launch. I got underway and used  a new set-up for drifting.1/0 owner light wire circle on a 36" leader of 30#floro below a slider wit a 3oz ball sinker. I drifed in and out of the pilings to the north of the launch where I hooked and landed a fish 2 weeks ago. No luck. The wind had statred coming down the hill and blowing out towards the bridge. Starting at tye pilings and drifting NE. When I got to the 16ft mark I had a takedown that just loaded the rod up and I was on.33.5 halibut in the net and then the ball peen went to work. I think thats just about the biggest fish that will fit in that net.EWB was kind enough to come over for an assist until I heard someone(who was it?) say "net your own GD fish". Right then I thought, right on. What the hell was I thinking. I was a little more than scared of losing the fish. Only my second kayak halibut. It was a beautiful sweep with the net and grabbing the net after dropping my rod on the deck, this bastard wasnt going anywhere.


I had a great time today and met again tons of beautiful folks. Thanks Adam and Barbara for putting us on to a wonderful day at one of the most beautiful spots in Marin.

Chuck, dude, I was so checking out the painting that Ben made and already thinking thats pretty cool. Then you roll up with that fish and WOW. You recieved a plaque last week describing you as the HALIBUT KING. That is so right. Congrats on two weekends in a row of showning me who is KING. Sorry Duane.

WTG Dustin , who bagged two halibut . Scott who got first blood on the water for halibut. Great to meet you today also.

Clamming at 6am tommorrow! What in hell was I thinking? I better get my ass to bed. Goodnight and the story of memorial day weekend of 09 continues tommorrow. Craig.

P.S. When we were staging our kayaks this am a huge raven flew right over my head and I swear it looked down just for a sec. I knew then it was going to be a special day.

You want more you say? OK!

Jedmo and family. I was told the youngest girl was shy, but I think she was very much underestimated.