Shelter Cove 3/14---3/16 "Gimme Shelter II"

Eric, thanks for the directions. I'll probably show up about 3 pm on Friday, may be the first one there, settle in and get the lay of the land and sea.

Should I reserve camping space for everyone?

My four Promar crab rings have 100' of rope each, so no problem there.
It's good that there are mussels; good eats no matter what the fishing and crabbing conditions.  -Matt

I have two traps with 800 foot of line plus two 100 foot extensions with snap shackles that are available if you need longer line.  I also have lots of rockfish carcasses in the freeze to use up for bait.  I am shooting to join Hawk and Pat of Friday if I can swing it.

Should I reserve camping space for everyone?

I don't think it'll be necessary that time of year.  The north wind right off the airport keeps the campground pretty empty until almost Summer!     Hopefully we'll luck out on the conditions, both wind and swells.   

Sounds like I can just plan on dropping my gear close and you guys can hit some deeper spots.  With that big of a fleet it seems like we'd be guaranteed at least one crab!      

Should I reserve camping space for everyone?

I don't think it'll be necessary that time of year.  The north wind right off the airport keeps the campground pretty empty until almost Summer!   

Here is a link to an airial photo of the campground. The preferred spot is essentially on the top right (of the campground) in this pic. Nice and secluded. And protected from the wind!


Still hoping to fish the S Eel on Friday morning. I guess that would put us at the Cove around 3.

I seem to recall that we fished Friday afternoon last year.

THIS:  Horse Mountain to Point Arena (Fort Bragg)
Opens February 16, 2008
2 salmon per day of any species except coho
minimum size limit: 20 inches (total length)

IS FROM HERE:  http://www.dfg.ca.gov/marine/oceansalmon.asp

The season DOES open THIS SATURDAY!!!  If conditions allow, I WILL be there to get the scouting started.   

The first group photo on page two of the responses here is AT the far southeast campsite, Matt.  From the left, that's Etienne/Sackyack, Chris/MBYakker, Hawk/Swellrider, PK/Sincoast, and me/Eric/Abking - photo by Sonny/Sailfish.  It is a good spot, but I won't feel guilty in my hotel room!   

If folks are going to fish steelhead on Friday, would you be drifting or wading? I don't have a river anchor but have wading stuff.

Scott

I was considering that too, Scott.  I think with all the gear we'll have for the ocean it may be impracticle to do much of a drift, but it sure would be fun if we could.  I guess if we can stow our gear in rigs we could run from Dean Creek (very near Redway) down to Sylvandale if the water's nice at that time.  That would only be a 1-3 hour drift depending on how much we fish.  If the ocean's not looking good for that afternoon (yes, Etienne, we fished Friday evening last year) we could lengthen the fishing time on the river.  That particular run is also NOT in any old growth to speak of, and we could start a bit further down and go through the big trees (and more familiar water for me and probably Hawk too) by adding a bit of driving time.  I'd also love to get more info from someone like Juan/Mako about stretches up around Benbow or even Leggett - especially since you guys are passing through there on your way up.  I've never fished up that high.

So much for both the river and ocean aspects of this trip depends on water conditions at the time, but not really weather, for me...  If the ocean's flat and the river's green or better I don't care if it's raining.                  

I just broke news of the trip to mama last night.  To be positive about her response, she's feeling ambivalent I suppose.     Could be more like this in her mind:          

GB2 brings up a good point. If I did want to float the S Eel on Friday, my amount of gear would nearly double. I'm not trying to speak for anyone else but I am always way overboard with gear+tackle. Even when I try to keep it to a minimum, I end up bringing waay too much stuff. And there's only so much room in my car.

So, as much fun as it would be to do both....I don't think it would be feasable to try it. Maybe I'll just bring my steelhead rod and one lil cleo. In case we have time to stop and look at the river for a few minutes.

Plus, this would allow us to drop traps on Friday. Giving us a better chance to actually get some crabs this time. And we'd have one extra day of salmon fishing.

Come on, PK!  We can do it!  I'll spot you some gear if necessary.  Let's wait and see how the conditions are.  If the ocean's shot Friday evening we could really have some quality time on the river...  We'll see what happens.   

Any intel on how the 2/16 salmon opening went? I couldn't find any info on the net.

scott

Any intel on how the 2/16 salmon opening went? I couldn't find any info on the net.
scott

Hi Scott, All I know my buddies got skunked at Noyo that day.  I haven't heard any other reports yet.  I too am curious.  Guess we all are. Anyone?  -Matt

Are we talking trolling or mooching?. I am interested in both. I used to work on several party boats for Salmon out of SF and know how to go both ways. I am looking forward to a Salmon out of the yak. Hawk has fixed me up with a new X Factor and I am ready. The wife is looking forward to staying in Garberville and visiting some friends in the area. Let me know what/if there is anything needed for the group outing?

Are we talking trolling or mooching?.

There are some tips earlier in this string. The bottom line, we will be trolling.

Yakuza and I are also up for a steelhead drift on Friday, although we are rookies at fishing steelhead from a yak. We will need to know the where and when as well as the recommended tactics.

scott

For those that want to go on a Steelhead run Friday I will lead a trip down the South fork Eel. Come as you are and I will take care of the safety precautions. If you're new to river running this is a great beginner run and I'll be happy to share what I know about Riverplay. I'm putting in at Landsdale Bar early morning and taking out either at Goulds bar or the Forks. We'll be off the water and at the cove for Happy Hour by 4:00. There are no big rapids, it's a mellow but beautiful run through old growth redwood forest. The Hole in my pic below makes a great lunch stop and swimbreak.

The main tactic while we drift is either to use weight and bounce bait or lure off the bottom behind you or out to the side. The other way is to cast k-9 kwikfish or brad wigglers. The river banks are littered with break-offs every kind of corky rig. We'll pull over and fish prime spots but there will be plenty of places to anchor, eddy or tie off and work for those AOTY points.

I can outfit a river trip for twenty so don't hesitate to ask for something you might not have.