Elk 08, GuitarZan is The Man!!!

Talk about some serious sensory overload!!!  I just finished up arranging my mental scrapbook and there are definetely a lot of things about this weekend that stand out.. it was just an awesome time out there with everyone.

I didn't carry my camera around much so I didn't get any great pics but I think the highlights for me were (in random order)

1) Being greeted by da Mooch when we first arrived.  We mess with him a bit sometimes but that's my mo'fo' fo sho'.
2) Messing with Art about the super-dome.
3) Finally getting to paddle Elk, last year I didn't get too far because my boat was taking in water.
4) Getting to dive with Stu and Freddie, they made me stay at least 300yds from them but it's all good.   
5) Seeing Ben up there to receive his prize and then walking back and everyone singing happy birthday to him... kind of made me feel a wee bit warm and fuzzy to hear a group of grown men and women break out in song to celebrate one of their partners.
6) Eating fresh uni on the beach with a small crew.  The uni had been split in the back of a yak and was garnished with a pair of Ty's old dirty shoes. (The presentation needed some work)   Probably not my favorite thing in the world to eat but it's definetely good eats.
7) Seeing Liz bring my Marauder all the way back up the hill by herself...after having hauled her own yak about half up the hill.

Congratulations to Ben and thanks to all who participated and especially to those who helped to make it all happen.

Here's to trying to get on the list next year.    

What an awesome event!!!  I just started kayak fishing last summer and this is actually my first kayak trip in the ocean this year due to personal reasons  .  A big thanks to Sean, his family and to the NCKA members for making this event possible.  I wished I stayed longer but I had another party to attend that Saturday night.  Congratulations to the winners!!  Hopefully next year my prowler will be better equipped.  It was great meeting a lot of you folks and I hope to hook up with you guys someday.

Cheers
Willie

E - P - I - C ! ! !
Now I see what all the hype is about. 

Way to Go GuitarZan!

And Congrats to the other winners

as well as Sean & everyone else who contributed & participated!

Truly EPIC! 

I'll be sure not to miss the next NCKA event!

Nice win Guitarzan...

Nice job Ben!  Congrats on the big win.
Looks like fun was had by all.

Al

Thank you so so much to Whites' family for putting this great event again!!!  
Huge congrats to Ben (it's about time)!
& our own Levi all the way from SD & the guy from UT for scoring nice lings!
I had awesome time hanging out of all of you guys & thank you to Eric about the epic coast side fund raising raffle too!  I finally won a nice rod!  This great event turn in to be reunion of Bodega crew also!
Truly love this event & I'm already thinking about next year's Elk even...

P.S: Thanks Moochie & Adam for the awesome picture report!

Thanks for the great report and all the pics.

Congradulations to BEN for the win.

S.

6) Eating fresh uni on the beach with a small crew.  The uni had been split in the back of a yak and was garnished with a pair of Ty's old dirty shoes. (The presentation needed some work)   Probably not my favorite thing in the world to eat but it's definetely good eats.

Brian didn't even eat them, but he was PROUD....nasty looking stuff!   

..and I was a bit turned off by the Ol'ShoeGarnish...YUMMY!

6) Eating fresh uni on the beach with a small crew.  The uni had been split in the back of a yak and was garnished with a pair of Ty's old dirty shoes. (The presentation needed some work)   Probably not my favorite thing in the world to eat but it's definetely good eats.

Brian didn't even eat them, but he was PROUD....nasty looking stuff!   

Freddie scored me some urchins and an ab to take home.  My wife and I had it for dinner.  Thanks Freddie!

It may like look nasty stuff, but this uni sushi and ab sashimi combo platter I made would have easily cost over $30 at any fine Japanese restaurant.  I know it's an acquired taste, but I love it!!!!!

6) Eating fresh uni on the beach with a small crew.  The uni had been split in the back of a yak and was garnished with a pair of Ty's old dirty shoes. (The presentation needed some work)   Probably not my favorite thing in the world to eat but it's definetely good eats.

Brian didn't even eat them, but he was PROUD....nasty looking stuff!  

Freddie scored me some urchins and an ab to take home.  My wife and I had it for dinner.  Thanks Freddie!

It may like look nasty stuff, but this uni sushi and ab sashimi combo platter I made would have easily cost over $30 at any fine Japanese restaurant.  I know it's an acquired taste, but I love it!!!!!

That looks WAY more appealing to the palate Chuck   I think if I didn't witness the actual  prep'area and serving surface, I may have tried it.

Adam enjoying a snack and a beer....

Thanks for capturing the moment Buddy!...When in Rome?..do as the Romans.
neverDIDiINHALE! 

 

....back at the camp, the fish were getting filleted and the gear was getting rinsed.....soon, we ate and ate some more....I went to bed/back of veh. around 10pm, most everyone was crashed by then too. Didn't even need my earplugs, til the fire dept. got a call and the engines were running for about an hour....and I thought I was in the QuietZone.
Saturday morning@5:30, Sean had coffee going already and out we went.
I took my time, keeping an eye out down the driveway, like a stalker. Got out there to the same area as the day before. Found the desired reef and just drifted it OVER&OVER&OVER AGAIN! 
A 25" Ling was C&R'd right at the beginning, so i thought I was in the RIGHT SPOT....it was getting windier and had to do the one-handed paddle&jig, justto keep the line somewhat vertical.


Pic1~I planned to shadow last years winner JTF, so i did just that, from the start!

pic2~ bumpity bump on the surface

pic3~ PapaBill hitting "his" spot, that he claimed last year.

.......on one of the many drops, I get a STRONG pull, thinking it's one of the Lingy-kind, I get pump'd up, this thing is banging my pole to my thigh! I get to color and it's my first Copper and personal best RF!

pic1~ 19.5" Copper on a BigGitZit


pic2~ paddling through the pain-cave


pic3~ Alex/ Alien on the hunt

Oh, the pain of transition back into the world of jobs & responsibility...

I had even more fun on my year #2 trip. I was glad we were there to cath the tail end of an epic sea condition period, even if it steadily deteriorated over the course of the weekend (it just made it that much more challenging).
Always a good time with friends, and this year I drove up with my wife Laura & my brother in law Jim, which just added to the enjoyment of the experience.
Highlights for me?
-Friday night dinner with EricB, including tequila from a sierra cup
-landing a beauty of a vermilion right outside the launch, on my "hail mary" drop
-seeing Laura, Anita, & Teresa out there in the thick of things, north of Nose Rock
-eating my first deep fried, chocolate battered mint oreo
-seeing all my fishing buds out there, charging it & having the best time doing so
-feeling that palpable sense of proudness & happiness when Ben went up to collect his 1st place award
-pulling out with the Fishunter sendoff, "see you at the Bean"!

I'll be doing my best to make next year #3.
All the usual thanks to Sean & his family, and everyone else who threw in to make things fun, exciting, and well, just cool.
-Sean

-pulling out with the Fishunter sendoff, "see you at the Bean"!

....wiping away the tears as we departed....such sentimentalist we are.

....on my way back to the barn, I stopped to get some pics to share with those who did not make it and those who did, but just didn't see HOW I SAW IT.

pic1~ from the ocean to land, via a cave hole.

pic2~ pulled up to this squared cave to shoot a pic

pic3~ then this blast came through, knocking me sideways, sacrificing for the shot