Shelter Cove - 8/28/21

Saturday with Julian and Brianne.

Met my people in the dark and got on the water early.  We missed some promising bites and lost one salmon before it could be ID'd, and over the course of the day we all landed coho to the fine mesh release net.  Like most of the fleet though, the Chinook weren't going for us.  We pushed into overtime before finally heading to the reef where we put away three lingcod and a few nice rockfish.

After a great run since mid July with salmon on every trip but one, my guests and I were bound to strike out in the game of Salmon Lotto sooner or later.  Even though I write about how the bite can be random and the sport can be a real psychological gut punch, it's hard to not get a little bummed when I professionally guide my people to a salmon skunk.  On this day, guests who are literally young enough to be my kids displayed attitudes of patience, understanding and joy in the face of not getting the right hookups.  The way Julian and Bri ("Bree") navigated this day was impressive - they're all about learning and discovering, and their positive energy   buoyed my own spirits for sure.

I've got some plans in mind for how I may change the structure of my trips (and my brain!) to veer away from the pure salmon obsession.  Employing strategies that focus on a full tour with a well-rounded stringer and then celebrating the salmon if they show  is the way I've done it for years, but a "hot bite" throws a wrench in such reasonable plans!

I'll add this issue to my list of fishing first world problems and close with a big thank you to my guests - the "kids".  I've found that, in striving to give my best to my guests in these trips, the overwhelming response is that they also give their best back to me.  This pushes me to an even better place, and the feedback loop of positivity and community is perpetuated and strengthened.  Here's the catch - I'm getting paid to provide not only my best attitude, instruction and ability, but also the right bite.  When that bite's not there and those who are paying me respond to what I do in a way that lifts me up, I basically have no choice but to try to exceed the sum of what's already been given.  What I've described is a gift - not only to a business person but to anyone, in any interaction.  When I land in such a position, I try to be humble and thankful, and to have young people in their 20's be the ones who went on that journey of human nature with me, it's even more of a powerful lesson.

In kayak fishing we try to be kayakers first - anglers second.  Way to be positive and compassionate people first, Julian and Bri.  You will both go far by leading with your heart in this way.  Thanks again.

...

Nice write-up and pictures, Eric. You always seem to have a positive outlook and I’m sure your clients all appreciate it. Way to get some lings and too bad about the salmon bite.

Good fishing
Great People
Awesome Report
Thanks Eric

Nice report! Thanks Eric.

Such great looking conditions, in the magical place of SC, pink or no pink, looks like fun was had by all.  Pics have me motivated to get up there this weekend if the conditions are anything like these pics! 

We are kayakers, adventurers, and naturalists first. Chasing salmon is just a vehicle to embody those archetypes. When I was a full fledged climbing bum, I’d have days where I didn’t feel fit, didn’t send my project (climber speak for climbing something without falling), or just didn’t feel like climbing at all. But sitting around the campfire those same nights with the amazing people in my climbing community—sharing stores, experiences, and laughs—made me realize that it’s never about the send, or the climb, it’s about the connections we make with people, our environment, and ourselves. I think we all knew that the seemingly trivial act of climbing up a rock face was never the end game. It was all was so much more than that. I’ve found many parallels to this in kayak fishing.

Eric, you are a class-act, and an extraordinarily rad human being. Brie and I learned so much, and the trip was everything we imagined and more. As others have described, the amount of life at The Cove is astronomical—something you have to see to believe. The enormous shoals of bait, the birds, the sea lions (I think your sea lion roars were the highlight of our trip). What a special place, and we are so happy that we had you to show us around.

While the salmon fever burns strong, we know it’s not really salmon we’re after. Thanks again, Eric.

Damn, that was an awesome response Jewli0n, and it's probably the best explanation I've ever read.  Congrats on your enjoyable outing, and experiencing what Da Cove has to offer on so many levels.  Awesome. 

I think it's the stoke of kayaking that is the real skill to attain.
Catching fish is the easy part

good on ya for perpetuating the real deal Eric!

great photos as per usual!

Damn, that was an awesome response Jewli0n, and it's probably the best explanation I've ever read.  Congrats on your enjoyable outing, and experiencing what Da Cove has to offer on so many levels.  Awesome. 

I appreciate that! Thanks 

Damn, that was an awesome response Jewli0n, and it's probably the best explanation I've ever read.  Congrats on your enjoyable outing, and experiencing what Da Cove has to offer on so many levels.  Awesome. 

I appreciate that! Thanks 

+1  from me for sure.   

Word.