3 days in Ft. Bragg

Thanks to an invitation from Auburn trout dude, Chryss and I left Friday morning along with Adam and crew.  After an uneventful 4 hour drive we found ourselves on the beach at Noyo Bay facing a challenging (by my standards) autumn swell.  Once lodging was taken care of, Adam skillfully slipped past the little shore break with two loads of hoop nets and high hopes, I'll let him tell you that part...

As I was not feeling the swell, I broke out my poke pole for its first use.  After nursing my ankle across the jetty, poking as I went, I found a nice rock with a 4-foot cavity out of the current.  On the second long poke I felt a tug, different from the normal pulse of the waves.  Jerking back hard, I lifted a nice fat cab from the sea.  After careful measurements were taken with my leatherman, I invited the 20" fish home for dinner.  Even though I scrambled on the rocks until dark, that was the only fish.  What a great way to fish though!  Practically free equipment; delta bamboo, old house wire, shrink tube (from a variety pack - the extra large), and one snelled hook.

Lounging about on Saturday with Linda and Chryss, I hardly fished.  While Adam spent the day tending the nets like a stud, we went to the local import shop (what ever the little "fancy home junk decor" store is).  I love these little places!  From an analytical point there are some bizarre creations to be found, but some pretty darn cool stuff sneaks through.  After that I took the girls over to Fort Bragg Marine / Pacific Rim Seafood to watch some urchin get processed.  After a cheerful welcome and tour, the girls skipped away with some spiny half shells and smiles.  Following more non-kayak related botanical tourism, we returned to the beach to help our tired friend safely pack after his victorious afternoon's work.

Following a nice potluck with some of the sacyackers (?) and tithing of safe travels to Adam and crew, Chryss and I hit the hay.  Sunday we lazily paddled around Noyo harbor, slipping quietly through the piers and marveling at the interaction between man and nature while our borrowed hoop nets (Thanks Adam and Sven) soaked.  Pulling the nets and finding a near skunk, I let the unlucky legal rock swim another day.

As I was finishing the loading process, I was pleasantly interviewed by the local DFG agent, then spent a little while talking fish with him before we rolled towards home.

I think that this may have been one of the best weekends this year

Photos to come soon 

[This is Chryss writing now - the weekend friggin ROCKED   ]

Right On!  
Growing up I use to spent every summer in Mendo staying with the grandparents and enjoy every minute when I can go back up there.


So this weekend I ended up pouring these. Let me know when you want to pick yours up.

I'm jealous! what a fun trip. Way to go on the cab

Erik, those rock!  I'm available all week, PM me when its convenient for you. 
jim

Great writeup - sounds like a very fun trip.