HBO - 7/3/19

Morning at HBO - that's Humboldt Bay Offshore, and it's my home waters.

I grew up riding the swells through the jaws of Humboldt Bay and out onto the open ocean with my dad in his little aluminum dories. I remember thinking we could die out there, but I trusted the captain. My old man had the ocean down pat - mosquito fleet at Shelter Cove in the 70's, commercial salmon dory in the summertime off of Humboldt Bay too, and later when I was college age he got his six-pack license and did salmon charters here from a 19' Gregor. As a kid I'd be doped up on Dramamine and half asleep when he'd wake me up to have me fight a fish - I still get sick as hell on powerboats. Not on my kayaks though.

I've been kayak fishing on the ocean for over 20 years, and getting out of Humboldt Bay is always one of my favorite trips. I'm taken back to those times as a kid when my dad was looking to get me on an adventure of fishing and the excitement and responsibility of being on the open ocean. He's been gone for almost 12 years now, but he came to know long before his passing that what he was showing me had definitely stuck and made a major impact on my life.

Today a few friends and I enjoyed a special bite out near the whistle buoy. The coho were chewing choves madly at 30 pulls, and a few kings were brought to the boat as well. One of my good friends David got his first taste of the challenge that is HBO on a yak, and my other good friend David got a killer payoff that only results from the diligence that this sport requires. I got a little something too, and, as always when I'm on the water chasing these chrome phantoms that have come to mean so much to my entire life, I got a good visit with Dad in too.   

Beautiful story and photos. Thanks for the stoke!

Thanks for the great report and pictures Eric.

I live thru your adventures👍🎣

Thank you Eric for sharing your memories.  As a dad who somehow raised two responsible healthy adults it is really special to read this post.

Thanks for sharing your stories, Eric. They are always a pleasure to read!

you are a very artistic fisherman mr. loleta. hahah photos always have a touch of art in it.
Thanks for the report and sharing...cause it's caring. --TLA Out 

I just hope that someday my boys reflect back on fond memories such as yours.

Thanks for sharing hermano 

Eric! WTG bro. Thanks for sharing your salty adventure on one of the most special spots on the planet I've visited, land and sea. And one of my most favorite critters; the Silver Phantom! (aka chinook).

Hope to see you and fish with you again soon.

My best, NovatoDave

Nice words - thank you all.   

Novato Dave!  Very good to see your post.  I hope to fish with you this season. 

Eric! WTG bro. Thanks for sharing your salty adventure on one of the most special spots on the planet I've visited, land and sea. And one of my most favorite critters; the Silver Phantom! (aka chinook).

Hope to see you and fish with you again soon.

My best, NovatoDave