11/27/Sat Ab diving @ Jughandle (non-yak)

As Chaeki noted in his Black Friday dive report, yes, I was earning WAF points by vacuuming and dishwashing while my wife was out shopping. Fast forward to Saturday.

My friend picked me up at a Starbucks in San Leandro at 5am.  Like an idiot, actually, make that "Being an idiot", as I unloaded my gear from my trunk, I left my boogie board behind, which was in the back seat.  What an ominous beginning.  Wx called for 8-10 ft swells and 15 knot winds + rain, but I had to confirm it for myself as it was the last weekend for diving.  Sure enough, the forecast was correct (how often does that happen?).  But reminding myself of Chaeki's heroic dive last Saturday (or CrazyChuck as I like to call him), I dove in with 3 friends to tear that last tag off my ab-card.

It was manageable.  We started in 20-25 feet, and I was taking my time measuring abs in search of a 9.  I measured one at 9" in about 20 feet, marked it with my gauge (tied to floatline) and went back up for air.  For the life of me, I could not dive back to that spot b/c the surge was pulling me into deeper waters, and the gauge was floating away due to the strong surge.   next thing I knew, my friend and I were in 30+ feet.  We decided to explore a bit more, picked some uni, and then headed back in.   tried to head back in.

I was holding onto the kelp b/c I noticed I was going backwards even though my arms and legs were stroking/kicking with all my might (Phelps would have been proud of my stroking technique).  Exhausted, we eventually made it back in.  No beer in sight to celebrate the last dive, so we cracked open an uni instead and ate it as the rain poured down on us.  The last dive of the year was very enjoyable- probably because I only had 1 tag left and was hunting to find a big one instead of my usual modus operandi of popping the first legal sized one I see.  Maybe i was feeling sentimental due to the rain and close of abalone season and all, but i REALLY enjoyed the dive and was giddy afterwards as we  hiked back to our car. 

Reproduce, eat lot's of kelp and get big, my abalone friends, so i can get my first 10 next April 2011.

sorry, no OTW shots.


   

Nice ab and sea urchin!  Where is "Jughandle"?

I'm jealous you finished your last tag.  That was my new years resolution... I have one tag left, and I am contemplating if I should call in sick on the last day of November to fulfill it.  I am out of WAF points, I am actually in the red minus side.  Now I have to spend the next month or so, cleaning, learning how to cook, and focusing on my son more.

Awesome report!!! May the force be with us next year, and may my camera skills improve by then.

Glad to hear you got your last Ab, and made it back safely.  I've been trying to take my time lately as well and not pop the first legal I see.  Oh!  And I love the name "Crazy Chuck", it suits him well with all thoes night missions.  I propose he change his handle!    Anyhow, glad to hear you got what you came for and everything turned out well.  I'm looking forward to getting out there with you and the rest of the crew next season.  See ya out there!

great harvest

WTG on a good day diving, John.   

Great report, HJ! You captured the moment and sentiment well.

... I have one tag left, and I am contemplating if I should call in sick on the last day of November to fulfill it.........

Tuesday is supposed to be fairly calm compared to what HJ reported-I was in Gualala from Friday/Saturday... Friday was more FAC than I've seen in some time, fall excluded -Saturday was more normal November-storm-coming-in-and- through type. On Friday vis was 15-20, shopped around a bit, was not too adventurous and settled for two nines and an 8.75. They made awesome Fritters.

Conditions were super, but in the tidal to 20' range, did not see many fish, none worth slinging. Sorry, no pics, just stories.....

Thx everyone for the encouragement. Looking forward to being a better diver next year, and to enjoy with my friends at ncka and ncuh

Nice ab and sea urchin!  Where is "Jughandle"?

Jughandle State Preserve is a couple miles south of Ft. Bragg.

Sweet report John!!!!

Hope I get to dive with you again soon!!!

Congrats on a nice haul and thanks for sharing!!!
 
Sincerely,

Jim

Ab and uni combo, yup!