Another quick and dirty report from Ft. Ross 7/21

Decided to  try FR again this morning. We got a crappy night sleep and slept in(rut row)and got on the water at 1045 am. Saw white caps outside and knew they would be inside soon. Being new to the ocean and a kayak, Kim freaked when the wind blew us around. Escorted her back to shore and she insisted I fish for a bit. Went back out solo, with caps now on the inside. Drift was screaming. Had to paddle up to exposed kelp, grab a fat one, hook it under leg and jig in place. Moved around 5-6 times in the howling wind with wind waves, each time grabbing a new piece to hang on. Caught 5-6 small gophers and let em all go. Paddled back in, wind blown to pieces but happy to get some  ocean time. 

Rigged up a short tripod to the front of my kayak, Abking style, and got a bit of film. Gonna have to figure out how to edit and put on Youtube. Maybe Eric will tutor me. Was fun on the water despite conditions, even wrestling the kelp for something to hang on to.

Oh, almost forgot, found the shortcut through the forest to the parking area. It does shave off time, as well as shortcutting through the field.

No good pics to show, maybe next time.

Shannon

Way to get her back out OTW.  Sounds like a good adventure.   

Rigged up a short tripod to the front of my kayak, Abking style, and got a bit of film. Gonna have to figure out how to edit and put on Youtube. Maybe Eric will tutor me.

Tripod on the yak - I love it!     That tutelage comes at a hefty price - Domenic and I drained lots of beer doing video training.      Any time, My Man.   

way to stick-it-out shannon. the trail through the forest is the  chosen path of many wise men...and a couple of dumb-a$$es like myself. thanks for the report.

Way to hang in there and give it a good shot! As for the path through the forest.......I thought they were just fools who drank too much beer and needed to pee. What do I know. 

Ebye Kewabjeget

It's all in the trying.
Great effort and you got quite a few fish which is more than I get more than I like to admit
Bravo. Keep at it--it's secret but the fish hope you'll give up--don't do it

great report Shannon! and the BIG thank you for getting my friend back in safely.
was she out there in that SIK?  if so, she needs an upgrade.

Shannon,

I should mention the "brush clip" I carry one to hook up to Kelp or brush in inland lakes. It's really a big Alligator Clip you clip to "stuff" and then to your kayak--simplifies things a bit. You can buy nice stainless steel ones ( I've had the same on for years now) or just use any old big clip for far cheaper--but not rust proof and saltwater is very nasty and fast to corrode it. Put a few feet of nylon rope on it and a snap at the end (brass or SS Steel) and you are set: take a few fronds of Kelp, clip them, optionally wrap the rope around a turn or so if needed (that's why you have a few feet), and hook it up to the kayak and.. voila--anchored with legs and hands free. They do that a lot down South in SoCal more than here but I find it useful here--especially making bait with a Sabiki or fishing holes in the Kelp.

Great idea on the brush clip. That kelp is hard to lock down with your leg. Will pick one up.

Terry, we rented a sit on top for Kim. Time to find her one to buy. Keep your eyes peeled for us. Wind was howling pretty good and she admitted to being uncomfortable. A smart thing to do to not let your ego write a check you can't cash. Always another day.  Take care,

Shannon

Damn, I've been to Fort Ross many, many times and had no idea about the forest path! Thanks for enlightening a brother.