Elk Report

I had watched the tides and the bouy and thought this Fri. would be a good day to get back to Elk.  We parked at moms and put the yaks on carts to get a feel for the ECC to the water portage.  It was actually pretty ez, just under 10 minutes.

The water was glassy, but the beach was very steep, so despite almost no swell the launch was tricky.   You went straight down the sand, and then straight into little beach breaks.  Jr. was hot to get on the water so we watched as he took one over the bow.  He made it no problem.



We found a zillion small blacks right away but that wasn't what we were looking for.  Paddled around and we all picked up a nice vermillion, and then that bite died.  We went a touch further and I got a nice ling on the drop.  My co-worker Mike also picked up a legal.  Still couldn't find the fish (I really need to get off my butt and put a sounder on my yak!)  We finally found a drift in shallow water that was littered with nice big 3-5 pound blacks and the fun began.



We fished there for quite a while, releasing most, and keeping ones that took a hook in the wrong place.  The wind came up so we packed it in, but since the swell was so small we took some shortcuts on the way in...



I don't know why its universally fun, but passing through an arch makes everbody happy.  Chris and my co-worker had never done it and they thought it was cool.



This was Mikes first yak trip on the ocean, and he loved it.  He ended up keeping a small ling, a vermillion and a few big blacks.



I kept a 34" ling, a vermillion and a few big blacks.  I gave my rockies to MOm and family that were working on the house, since I played while they hammered.



The trip back up the hill wasn't too bad either.  Jr. was able to pull his yak the whole way by himself, although we were all hot by the time we got up to the highway.  All in all another great day in paradise!

Sweeet!  

Great report!

What thickness wetsuits do y'all use while kayak fishing?  I think that my 7mm ab-suit would be a wee bit hot on the water.  

I have a 3mm and a 1/2mm. I generally use the 3mm on the ocean and the 1/2mm on the bay. I think you would bake most days in a 7mm.

NRS makes great farmer johns that are super comfy to paddle in.

http://www.nrsweb.com/

This is the 3mm I have, works great - http://www.nrsweb.com/shop/product.asp?pfid=2215&deptid=1162

Mike and Jr. were in 3/2s fullsuits and a little hot.  I was in my new NRS hydroskin farmer with a thick rashguard and was pretty much perfect.  Everyone got sweaty going up the hill.  I need to bring a change of clothes to the bottom of the hill.

I also wear the NRS 3mm hydroskin farmer john.  I am very happy with it.

I'm finally getting my list together for all the apparel I'll need to buy to go fishing with y'all.  

Scwafish, you mentioned you were wearing an NRS hydroskin farmer with a rashguard.  Were you wearing the rashguard over your farmer john? Or were you wearing just the lower part of your wetsuit with the rashguard?  I couldn't tell from your pic how you were layered.  Also, what rashguard do you use?

Travis, I was able to find only a 0.5mm thick Hydroskin suit on NRS' site.  Do they also make 3mm version?

Also, to the folks who have experience with these Hydroskin suits, is it worth the extra $ compared to a conventional suit?

Also, what jackets and shoes do you guys wear to go along with your outfit?

Thanks in advance for helping a rookie!!

The link to the 3mm is in my post above.

I wear a body glove rash guard under my suit. I got it at SportsMart for like $20 on sale. It is great to pick them up right after summer, they usually put them on sale then.

I have the .5 mm Hydroskin G2 and the Mysterioso top that is thin neo in the body and lycra on the sleeves.  It is amazingly warm, and it is super comfortable.  Farmer first, then top over the farmer.

Sorry I was wrong.  I don't have the hydroskin.  This is the suit I have. http://www.rei.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?storeId=8000&catalogId=40000008000&productId=47897288&parent_category_rn=4501480&vcat=REI_SSHP_PADDLING_TOC  

I wear this over the top. http://www.rei.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?storeId=8000&catalogId=40000008000&productId=12117501&parent_category_rn=4501480&vcat=REI_SSHP_PADDLING_TOC

And These booties. http://www.rei.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?storeId=8000&catalogId=40000008000&productId=47901220&parent_category_rn=4501471&vcat=REI_SSHP_PADDLING_TOC

I have the same top as Travis, and I love it. Super comfortable, easy to paddle in, pretty warm.