Breaching lagoons

Big Lagoon has breached to the ocean several times this year.  Last week a buddy and I launched from the north side and headed in the direction of the breach.  Along the way, we passed a river otter lolling on its back.  When we were a mile away, I could see waves crashing into the lagoon.  We proceeded with caution.  As we got about a half mile away, seal heads started popping up around us.  We counted at least a dozen.  At a quarter mile, it was clear that there was an incoming tide.  The waves in the lagoon at the breach were close to 10 feet.  We beached about 100 feet from the breach and walked around the sand dune.  There was a surfer sitting there.  He said that he couldn't get out through the 20 foot waves.  But, his buddy did.  We climbed the dune and watched his buddy bob on the huge waves.  He finally caught on and rode halfway in before he wiped out.  He made it to the beach and left with this friend.

We got back in the kayaks and sat in the current trolling flies.  No action.  It was pretty cool pedalling at about 2.5 knots and not moving relative to the shore.  We hung in this channel for an hour with no luck.

On the way back to the launch site, the seals had gotten together on the beach.  We headed over there.  About 200 yards from the seals, a large male came down and scattered all then into the water.   Nothing more to see here so back to the truck.  Halfway there, a bald eagle landed in a tree to our left and watched us go by.

Another steelhead skund day at Big Lagoon.  But, a spectacular day nonetheless.

Thursday, I headed over to Stone Lagoon because I heard it had breached on Saturday.  Sure enough, the water was WAY down.  I fished my regular pattern then headed down to the breach.  Here's where I beached the kayak right next to the breach channel.


After I got back in the kayak, I paddled out about 50 feet to where the water was more than ankle-deep.  Then I started fiddling with the fly rod.  What I didn't realize was that I was in a pretty good current heading toward the breach.  When I finally woke up, I stowed the rod and grabbed the paddle.  Useless.  The current was a good five knots and the water was really shallow.  I stowed the paddle and jumped out and towed the kayak in to shore.  I then relaunched and paid more attention.  Here's where my little adventure happened.  The narrow bit is fast moving water out to the ocean.


Another nice day on the lagoons.  But, no fish!

That's it from Humboldt, Hal

Nice report. gotta love the different things you have to do on the coast. Looks like an awsome day.