Finally! Russian Gulch Sept 14-15

Here’s my first REAL fishing report!

On both Friday and Saturday mornings I paddled alone, against my better judgment, out of Russian Gulch, but the water was SO flat.

On Friday AM I fished for 3 hours in about 30-50 feet of water and caught 3 rockfish (2 gophers and 1 China) within an hour using swimbaits. Then I hooked into something that pulled the tip of my rod into the water and didn’t want to leave the bottom. When I got the fish to my boat, I used a lip-gripper to keep it in the water till I could assess what it was and whether it was legal. Unsure, I thought I would be safe so I released it. On shore I talked with a former commercial fisherman who, when I described it, said it was a cabezon. I'm still trying to comfort myself by pretending it only measured 14 inches!

On Saturday AM I only fished for 2 hours in water from 40-80 feet and caught 3 rockfish (browns) and my standard kelp (this time I didn’t lose any tackle, though) using a shrimp fly rig tipped with squid. The water was still flat, but the swells were bigger than Friday so I exercised some caution by moving in closer to the cove.

People in the parking lot were in awe of (or mystified by?) a woman with an NCKA-style (“pimped”) kayak! Kayak club members were even more impressed that I caught my own dinners. Now I need a lesson in filleting…

Thanks a bunch to everyone in NCKA who has encouraged me. Although my catch was small, it was the kick in the pants that I needed to build confidence.

Janice aka "Big J"

Great report Janice. Glad you got out there and got some fish.

FF

Great report Janice! I have fished there and caught nothing but shaker cabbies, but have heard of others doing well. Gophers make SUPER tacos!
John

Looks like fish for dinner to me!
And kudos on an excellent "well prepared kayak angler" photo!

Hi J:

    I very happy you are spending time in "Gods Country".
Try using the Reppall method which only requires 6 cuts. cut
just behind the Gills down to the spine then rotate 90 Deg. so the blade is parallel and slice thru all the bones.
The second cut is to remove the skin and the third is to remove the rib cage. Don't forget to run you hand over the Fillet to catch any
bones remaining which may be pulled using a hemostat.
    I have the Blk. 9" Rapala which work well for me.
                                                                          Ernie

Rapala has a pop up on their site on HOW TO EASILY FILLET FISH

Six easy steps to better
http://www.rapala.com/products/filletknivesdetail.cfm?name=Soft%20Grip%20Fillet%20Knives

Nice job Janice.

As for filleting, this is basically how I learned to do it.  I grew up in upstate New York, so I guess some of the Canadian influence slipped over the border.  It's taken me awhile to adjust to using a standard fillet knife, but the process is basically the same.  Do a search on youtube, there are lot of great "how to" videos out there.  If that still doesn't help, and we catch something to eat at BAMIII, I'm sure either I or someone else would be happy to give you some more tips.

Brian

Congrats on the catch!  Filleting will only get better with practice. You don't always have to fillet fish. You can gut, descale and cook the fish whole. Also for salmon you could steak the fish out.

-Brian G

very nice report J. As far as fishing alone goes, it may be viewed as unwise but it sure is good for the soul.

It cant replace watching/learning from a veteran knife but there is a book called "from hook to table" that I didnt think was too bad. But Im a C&R guy and definately not an expert.

Nice report Janice! I wish I would have gotten your PM earlier but it sounds like you handled the lone ranger act with NCKA style. I thought the BASK get together was closer to BAMIII date. I was out of town for 8 days so I really couldnt make it but wish I could. Being cautious shows wisdom and kudos to you for representing us fisherfolk. Randall

kudos on an excellent "well prepared kayak angler" photo!

Got that right - it's a great photo!

Makin' us proud, Janice!  Way to go, Big J!
 
Eric

That's my sugar mama 

Get the HELL DOWN Janice!  there are people still telling the story of seeing a woman in her Yak catchin fish in the OCEAN!  going out alone in those conditions?...how could you not!   You are READY NOW!  and that confidence boost is a must!... build on it! (i had to)

GREAT Report and pic!!  I knew it was gonna be small up there...way to get yours! (i think there are a few jealous men-Yakers now!)

Russian Gulch is one of my favorite spots. It's funny though that you caught such different fish than I usually caught there; I usually catch blue or black rockfish and ling cod.

Below are a couple pictures of a ling cod I caught at Russian Gulch a few days before you were out there:

Hi Janice nice job. I am impressed. You have become quite a fisherwoman. Hope to see you soon.

Another NCKA success story! Way to go BigJ, those are some nice fish. Awesome to blow some minds ain't it? Like FH said, just build from here. Nice report too!

Z