5/22 HMB Non Kayak no the Hulicat...Uncle's redempition

My new Sis, Aunt and Uncle took bought me a salmon fishing trip for my birthday.  Seeing how theire was goign to be alimited window before A & U moved to Vegas, and I went off to National Gaurd Annual Training, we went for the 22nd to go after hat GB2 refers to as Devil Fish (and damned if they weren't).  A quick playback, last Septemeber A&U, GF and I went on the New Huck FInn, Uncle got skunked, with with his wife, GF and I each getting healthy 12 pounders.  Garry had a long time to wear the skunk, as this was the first time this year either of us had gone out.  HMB was a new place for both of us, as we normally went out of Emeryville for these trips as it is closer for them.  Mike the deck hand met us, nice guy, and Captain Tom showed up later.  7 of us went out.  We were at the Port stern next to each other shooting the breeze, when the Captain Tom lands and undersize silver and quickly releases him. We enjoy seeing a whale some where off in the distance.  We talk about family and other things.  Its a funny thing, we've only known each other a little over a year now but in someways it seems we have known each other far longer.  Both Jan and I are saddened that they will be moving ot Vegas, as we have truely enjoyed spending time with them over this last year, good times with them, learning about the history of my biological family, my late brother and mother, and grandfather.


A few minutes later at 8:05 Garry rod goes all bendo crazy.  He gets on it and the fight is on.
Garry is steadily cranky him in with his newly modified jigmaster (Alan Tani Style complete with new AT/Kokler Handle which I did for him for Christmas).  Mike the deck hand is right there coaching him the whole way.  Initially Garry is in the port stern corner, but the fish is not having that and is working its way to the starbourd side, across everyones lines (wouldn't you know it).  This one was no easy fish,  Garry has the drag set just right and this is a tug of war, with the two of them working for what seemed like a solid five minute, fight.  The next thing I know Garry is handing off his rod to Captain Tom to bring in the fish.  I go to Garry who is looking kind of green, seems he was holding his breath while he was reeling, and forgot to breathe and started to make himself sick.  He said this was the hardest fighting salmon he has ever come up on.  He takes a some water and starts feeling better shortly there after.

Captain Tom is still fighting this fish, and he evenr makes a comment on how hard this fish is fighting.  THe fish slowly wears out after several strong runs, and Mike gets him in the net.  First Keeper of the day is a 32 inch/18 pound salmon.  The largest fish of the day!  About an hour later Garry would catch a ten pounder that was far less dramatic as the first.  total for the day was 8 fish.  Garry was gracious and sent me home with the 10 pounder.  While getting skunked is never a fun thing, spending time with Garry is and that is more important then any fish any day. 

At the dock, Captain Tom has everyone line up holding their catch, poor Garry, could barely hoild his up, but he had an ear to ear smile while he did!

Garry has asked me to do one more trip before they make the move to Vegas, come hell or highwater, I plan on being out there with for these memorable trips.  Hopefully, the tuna  will be willing particpants this year and come in close so we can get one trip in.

Great report Kevin.
Did you go West straight out of the harbor or did you head towards the Farallons?

Glad you did not go home empty but it is also fun watching friends/relatives catch them.

Danny

Went out  what seemed South west, but came back from the north.  It was foggy when we left, and to be honest I was half asleep.