HBO w/ a Special Guest - 7 /20 & 7/21/16

Just wrapping up a great week of guiding on the ocean at Trinidad, Shelter Cove and out of Humboldt Bay. This week had it all - beginner fishermen, intermediate dudes that are now ready to progress in the sport, and yesterday and today I guided an expert. Terry has been around the block many times, and he's known well to the kayak fishing community in northern California. He's won Gimme Shelter Kayakfishing Tournament twice and has a long list of other outstanding fishing accomplishments. He's also stoked me out by hiring me several times for adventures throughout Humboldt County.

This latest mission was to get Terry acquainted with HBO - that's "Humboldt Bay Offshore".  It's a unique and potentially dangerous place to fish and certainly to kayak as well. I grew up here going in and out of the Bay on my Dad's powerboats, and my obsession with ocean salmon fishing has its roots in these waters.

Yesterday we got out early and found the fleet parked at the end of the South Jetty and around the Bell Buoy nearby. What was a few dozen boats already at 630AM grew to 60-80 salmon-seeking vessels by 9AM, and all of them were hanging tight to the area where a hot bite had been going off for a few days. This day though the bite had suddenly dissipated. Terry and I worked it for several hours and lost a fish apiece before heading in to the bay for a try at shallow fish. We ended up skunked, so today's trip plans were up in the air for a bit - should we go down to Shelter Cove for day two?...

I checked the forecasts and got word from a few friends who'd fished the Cove, and we opted to go back out to HBO. We hit it early again, and Domenic joined us for the morning. The three of us made our way out to the Jaws and saw a similar scene to yesterday's - lots of people fishing right at the entrance. Today though the water had cooled a bit, and it had a nice 'salmon brown' tint - things were looking good. Right off the bat Domenic gets a good strike, and then I had a chomp on a mooched herring - radio talk also had more action than yesterday morning so things were really looking up.

Before long Terry hooked up at the tip of the jetty and fought a fat 15 pounder into the net - one in the box! There were other hookups happening around us too, and it wasn't 30 minutes and Terry had another one on - he fought this stout fish with patience and skill and earned a really nice limit. 20 pounder in the bag! Domenic and I had our chances, but our numbers didn't come up today - we joined the legions of 'the skunked', but we had a good time out there and are always sure to remember that we've had lots of good days in the past, and we'll have our share in the future. That's salmon fishing, and you have to take the skunks in stride as well as trying not to get too big headed from the fat limits on the lucky days!

It was really cool of Terry to hang out while Dom and I tried for some fish of our own, and by midday we were all ready to ride the tide back up the channel and call it a day. Spending time with friends on the water is something I cherish, and I feel very fortunate to be able to do it as a guide. The big deal on this trip was that Terry doesn't need a guide - sure, I showed him around at a place that I know well and gave him all my best info on fishing, boating and all the rest of what we were doing, but Terry could've accomplished this trip without my assistance. What went down over the past two days, to be honest, is that Terry stoked me out by supporting me in my dream job, and he lives a brand of humble that allows him to excel in his pursuits while showing others what it means to be an honorable sportsman and a true friend and ally.

Thank you, Terry, for utilizing my service, showing me a part of how life is to be lived right, and for being a damn good friend as well as one of my best clients (you'll have to fight your brother Ron and the Synth Guy, David Bradfield, for the title on that one!).

Summer is flat out pumping - I urge you to get some of the goodness and to look for opportunities to learn about real friendship from those around you.
 
Watch for that next spell of flat ocean - maybe I'll meet you there. 

Today's pics:

Congrats on the limit Terry.  Thanks for another great report and pictures Eric.

Dude you are living the good life.

I'm so jealous!! Salmon was a bust down here in Monterey this year! Quick question; are there no fur bags in Humbolt? A salmon hanging over the side would be taken in a hot second down here! Great pics, thanks.

Thanks again Eric for the great time on the water.  Your knowledge of the tides and currents was very educational for me and something I will use in the future.

Hanging out with you and Dom was a blast.  Thank you Dom for sharing some smoked salmon with us it was delicious. 

The fish I lost on Wednesday probably had a lot to do with me having to put my poll down and grab my paddle before I crashed into the rocks.  The 2 fish I caught on Thursday was about being in the right spot at the right time. 

One thing I have learn is that you will never catch a salmon sitting on your couch watching tv.  So give Eric a call and let him help you with your north coast adventure.

Killer report and photos Eric.  And WTG on the nookies Terry!  Man I gotta get back out there!

WTG!

WTG on the nookies Terry! 

Thanks Chris.  My brother and I still want to have a fishing competition against you and your brother at the Ranch this summer/fall.

Absolutely awesome guys!