Shelter Cove - 4/4/26

Rockfish and lingcod season has opened up early this year!  From now through the end of December we'll have opportunities to enjoy the pursuit of the backbones of our nearshore fisheries, with both halibut species also in play.  We'll know about the salmon dates and quotas within a week, so buckle up!  Make your plans, and let's go!

Rob and I got the season going yesterday down at the Cove.  My guest has a ton of fishing and ocean experience, as a Coast Guard veteran, surfer and multi-year Alcatraz swimmer!  He's been spiffing out his project - a Wilderness Systems 130 with plenty of accoutrements.  We got a great day for his shakedown run and had the water largely to ourselves, with only two other kayaks launching around midday.

It felt great to inaugurate another guiding season at my favorite destination along the Lost Coast.  Glassy conditions, a steady bite, the usual awesome wildlife sightings, and the world-class backdrop of the King Range had us smiling all day.  Processing a stack of keepers at the Tailgate Fillet Station with a cold brew was a full-on cultural experience, as the high tide ramp was stuffed with locals and tourists alike on a sunny and windless afternoon.

I've got a new policy this season - it's about emphasizing our gratitude.  Rob and I both have much to be grateful for, in our family lives, regarding our health and prosperity, and in the richness of the lives we're fortunate to lead, as older, middle-aged dudes.  These are the things we bring into the trip, so it feels right to synthesize that input by using our intent and clear speech, to express our gratitude for the day, the time on calm water, and the opportunity to enjoy one another's spirit and company.  In the end, with the flesh of the animals packed away in our coolers, we give thanks for those lives taken, and we are committed to honoring all of it.

Thank you, Rob, for a great day at the Cove.  I hope we can go again soon.   

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Hope to see you at the Cove this season.   

Nice to see a Cove report!

Nice to see a Cove report!

Thank you, sir!  You were part of at least three past Cove adventure tales yesterday.   

Nice to see a Cove report!

Thank you, sir!  You were part of at least three past Cove adventure tales yesterday.   

One of my faves is when we were out at the can trolling for salmon and the charter cap’s were on the radio telling us we should go in ‘cause the swell was too big (in their opinion) and they were concerned for us!

One of my faves is when we were out at the can trolling for salmon and the charter cap’s were on the radio telling us we should go in ‘cause the swell was too big (in their opinion) and they were concerned for us!

Best of Times, my friend.   

Looks lake-like!

No salmon for us that day.

No salmon for us that day.

I totally remember how big the swell was and a powerboater advising us to go in, and I remember that we didn't land a salmon between you, Joe and I.  What I remember most about that session though was that I had us switched out from slow trolled bait rigs to DeepSix with flashers to mooching over the few hours that we gave it a go out there.  That was a crazy day, and I know the sport fleet didn't hook or land many fish eiether.

Fuck those were awesome times. 

I appreciate NCKA after all of these years, but I gotta say, after posting 693 fishing reports here (counted them up this evening, for the first time in a couple of years), it's just not the same as it used to be.

The tally:

- 248 Members Only reports
- 445 Public reports

Great to see your fishing, Eric.  Keep em coming!