Shelter Cove - 7/20/09

Another great report Eric,

My Grandpa was a Chlorination Engineer back in New Jersey where I grew up. As a kid and his favorite fishing buddy, we had access to private lakes, reserviors and ponds all across NJ. NY, and Pennsylvania. He taught me about fishing, and his mantra was what you just posted Eric..

Thanks for the reminder!!!

Rich

Thanks for the report I've been curious about Shelter Cove since the GMSIII..

Glad you can get time OTW especially at Shelter Cove!  Thank you for the report and pictures Eric.  I'll go back to Shelter Cove sometime in August.

Sonny,
When you get your schedule straight let me know when do you plan to head out I might join I am sure theres quite might be interested too..

Good stuff Abking, you gotta love the Cove. Your posts make me miss the Humboldt Nation! If I could just get my wife to move back there...

Nice report. I miss the fishing at shelter. Even a slow day there is better than most areas. Glad you had your epiphany. I know i always feel better and less stressed after a day of fishing. Getting fish is just bonus.

Again, great report

stoggie

Thanks for the nice replies, Guys.   

There were two other boats OTW with me.  I got back to the launch around 7:45 and one of the boats got out right after me.  The tide was building to an 8'+ around 10PM, so the launch was getting a little sloshy as the little jetty was getting covered by minor swells here and there.  I was all packed up and still had my wetsuit on, so I offered the two some assistance as they trailered their boat.  They didn't need any help and weren't the type to thank me for offering - the Cove has lots of that, and you need thick skin there.  I made my way up to the cleaning table to fillet out the two blacks and a ling I kept for Tahoe, and my two new pals were there right after me.  Here's why I'm writing this: 

some just want MEATtoEAT!

I tried to spark up a little conversation, and, while they weren't unfriendly, they weren't friendly either...  They talked a bit, to each other, about work in the morning, so I figured they're living there building a house and fishing when they can.  Sounds like a good time to us, but their demeanor wasn't the thrill of having just gone fishing on the open ocean - not as I know it at least.  I'm speculating a bit about these two, but I feel bad for those who get stuck in the rut of working toward vague and uncertain goals and can't even "stop and smell the roses" along the way.  Filleting their catch seemed like just another part of their drudgery...

Part of being whole, for me, is holding on to the notion that I AM out there looking for something that will nourish my soul, and also that I am always open to a new perspective.  I guess the opposite of this:

"Many go fishing all their lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after."

is this:  Many continue to kill as many fish as they can far beyond the time when they've lost sight of why they first went fishing...

That kind of attitude toward what I view as my church (Nature) is why I've always supported setting aside areas where it won't all get ruined.

My two cents are sometimes coated with Napalm...

Sounds like a good outing - I think I might like it a lot if I was able to work and fish on the same day. You're living the good life.

They may not have shown it, but your good cheer & offer to help may have left them feeling a little ashamed. For all we know they had just got done with a little kayak-bashing or "Sheltercove sucks. I just want to go home. Fishing was slow, etc." whining. Either way you had a good time and I'm glad you shared as always. jim

That kind of attitude toward what I view as my church (Nature) is why I've always supported setting aside areas where it won't all get ruined.
My two cents are sometimes coated with Napalm...

KaBOOM!
 

Don't worry, explosive minds think alike.

Dang nice haul. Sucks that the bite turned off but at least you got something! Looks really relaxing. Also fishing quotes are awesome!

thanks for the report. for me, kayakfishing is more about being captain of my own ship at sea and being close to nature. that is why i dont do the AOTY. that and i really do suck as a fisherman.