Tripping around Humboldt/Del Norte - 1/18

Had a midday appointment in Crescent City today, so I loaded the Scrambler XT and brought along some hoping-for-a-steelhead gear.   ;D  I cruised through Big Lagoon, which looked inviting, but I couldn't muster the inspiration to throw a lure out there, much less get the yak out of the truck...  I passed by Stone Lagoon and stopped at Freshwater Lagoon for a look, but, again, couldn't find a reason to dismount the Chevy.  Redwood Creek looked good - a bit big and greenish brownish, but I saw a couple guys fishing.  The Klamath was by no means blown out, but, Man!, it seems like a needle in a haystack type fishing with all that water...  Cruised Lagoon Creek near Wilson Creek/False Klamath Cove and it looks so inviting, until you read the sign...   :  Wilson Creek ocean area was blown for sure, and even though I had some ab guts and squid on board I didn't feel like rockfishing...  Hit Crescent City and there were lots of folks playing on South Beach, a couple of surfers out in the gentle break, and I didn't even hit the Smith River because I knew it's too clear...  I stopped at Dry Lagoon on the way home and spent 10 minutes on the beach - grabbed a few agates.  Then managed to toss a few holes of disc golf up behind Redwood Science Lab in Arcata right at sunset.  Alas, it was a good day to get the work done and see the sights...  It's good to be prepared!   

I'm having to constantly evaluate:  "is this me wanting to do this, or this is AOTY?!"   

I'm having to constantly evaluate:  "is this me wanting to do this, or this is AOTY?!"

WORD!

Thanks for the fantastic pics Eric.
I will definitely be up there this year.

My appointment was with the owner of "Ocean World", which is an aquarium and interactive wildlife attraction in Crescent City.  Storm damage to the roof and their glass tower has them needing my services, and I got a free quickee tour too. 

It was like a mind-@$!#* to be watching 4 of the AOTY species swim around me.  As I spoke to the owner I bit my tongue instead of asking her if I could throw my yak in the tank and start jigging lead!     She doesn't keep any lingcod because they end up eating the sharks!  She has a permit to collect local fish for her aquarium - maybe I can do some of that work for her this Summer! 

Great reports and pics as usual, Eric.  Thanks. Collecting for the aquarium sounds like fun work, if you get to do that this summer.   Hmm, lets' see, one for the aquarium, one for AOTY...   -Matt