Albion Open 7-25

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Ok , I've had some sleep. I went out with Allen for a bit Friday afternoon and when we got to the outside I could tell it would be real interesting on Saturday. The ocean wasn't real huge but real confused with a north swell and a south swell with a chop on top and a slight NW wind. It was hard to fall into a rythym while sitting on the kayak. The pictures you might see on the open ocean never really replicate the true conditions. I have noticed this over the years and am always amazed that it never looks as rough as it actually is.

Jim/Redyak, William/William102 and myself launched at around 5:30 am or shortly thereafter. The tide was going out and we had the
easiest part of the days paddling behind us. We moved to the south point just inside where Jim had had some luck in prior years. Nothing happening there so we moved across the bay opening to the north point. The point really deserved a wide berth because every 8 sets or so there was a big lump that would expose how long the reef really was.Once around the corner we kind of split up each looking for that little rockpile or reef that would hold fish. I knew it was going to be a tough bite from the day before so I was ready to keep fish that I normally wouldn't. I found a good spot and caught a small olive for the first fish of the day. I worked that area for awhile then moved in closer and wasn't getting bit so I just kept moving around.I then moved up to the south of the mooring rock in 70ft of water and caught my first ling.Only 25inches but I was happy that it was on the clip. Jim came over for a photo op. Thanks Jim. Now I was really fishing alone and away from most everyone. Trying here and there working my way north past the first little bay north of Albion Bay.I saw Allen and Jim/Inseine and James/ Abman. They werent having much luck there so I tried a bit then moved a little south between the north side of the mooring rock and a big stack rock on the shore. 65ft deep and some good bottom structure. After a minute or so the light rod loaded up and it was a nice fish I could tell. Wirked it up and netted a 29in ling to add to my collection. After a bit of braggadicio over radio( which today I regret) I called some folks down for the bite there and left moving south. I thought about cutting through the eastt side of the rock and through the bay but there were some big boilers that became exposed sometimes and the swell would buid and sweep over it all so I decided no way man. I hooked up with JIm amd William again and Will told me that he had caught a nice cab in close by the north reef that we paddled aorund at the start. Being real careful and edging in to 35ft. I caught a little cab that was just legal by and inch. I killed it with regret and clipped it on. I was feeling prematurely comfortable now and thinking about that little yellow boat in front of Seans trailer. I found most of the crew out a ways past the outside marker and sidled up and chatted a bit. I saw Kiel's fish and knew my work wasn't done yet. I moved away from the crew to 110ft and caught my last fish of the day. A nice vermillion. Small but acceptable. When bonking that one I drove one of the dorsal spines into my right index finger right into the top joint and I am always amazed how much that shit hurts. That little poke signalled the days end and the wait for the others to come in. It was close. 13 ounces separated 1st and 2nd place with 3rd just ounces behind me. It was real close a pound of flesh either way would have thrown the positions to a different place. Thanks to Kiel for putting me in my place and to Tote for being there to tell me if he had just caught a ling he would be going home with the boat. Thanks to all who I got to talk to as this was my first big NCKA event. I had heard about the food and OMG it was the best. I am grateful for all I have in life and especially my new found friends in the NCKA. It took me 55 years to find you guys and gals. Thanks again.

WOW! Its all starting to settle in now.

AWESOME...

congrats Craig, and all the rest of y'all....

Looks like another outstanding event! Congratulations to the winners and to those willing to tough it out in the less than ideal fishing conditions. You guys really know how to party and have a good time.

Sean, great job creating another memorable event for all.

Ray

Thanks to everyone that made the long drive and braved the fiesty conditions. One of these years we'll have a decent ocean during our event, but I have to say with this years event I am thrilled folks were launching at Albion, and not on the beach at Elk. 

I think my favorite thing about this years event was watching the amount of between tourney fun being had by kids and adults on the docks, beach, and river.  Lots of good crabs were caught and eaten, a few folks played in the surf, and quite a few folks rode the tide up river for a scenic paddle....nice!

While the fish definite had lock jaw, some nice fish did come in.  I also think folks liked the new format.  On to the porn!

Check out Kiel's solid stringer...



Craig was right on his heels and had a perfect "hand" for the new format...



more...is this one of the Guerroros?



Juan with a full hand (cab, rocky, greeny)...



Jonesz with a full hand (ling rocky, greeny)...



The food was ridiculous...







Biggest spread ever...



Many thanks to the sponsors for the great prizes:

Ocean Kayak/Tsunami for the Trident 13
Kokatat for the fishing PFD
West Marine for the Radio
Guitarzan for the art work
Ravensblack for the knives

A special thanks is owed to Zeelander and his little startup Slayride for what is undoubtedly the sickest kayak fishing t-shirt ever!!!



This year was unique in that I had fun!!!  So much less hassle than Elk...



Jelly and jefe passed out on the short drive home...



Thanks again, see you here again next year!!
 

Thanks Sean for putting on a great event. My wife and I had a lot of fun. I took a few pics but dont have the time to post them. I will put them up and my report later.

Let's just say that me + ocean = not love

It was a little too bumpy out there for me, even with scopace.  camp was fun, dropping traps for dungies was a lot of fun too. thanks to andy for that!

The cold water made for a tough bite, but the crowd made up for it. The location and attractions kept everyone amused. I brought my new camera but was so busy catching up with everyone I forgot to snap many pics. Heres a few....

The Hot Crab action!

Oh man.

SOOO much fun...  A few highlights:


I was all packed up and ready to head home at Noon on Sunday, almost everyone was rolling out...  But then I run into Mooch, Parrothead and J, who are going to float up river with the tide.  Having done a preliminary run up there Friday, I knew it was an awesome paddle...  I'm in!

To make a long story short it ended up being my favorite part of the trip.  Ben, Andy and Brenda joined us and we picked up a few others along the way...  followed the river as FAR as possible, making it back at 5pm.  Five hours of paddling with NO food except what blackberries we could steal from the bears, (I heard Mooch ask "Is this edible??" more than once).  It was quite an adventure that deserves it's own report.

Drove straight home, made it in 3hrs, in bed by 9:30.

And just to give those of you who missed out an idea of camp life at Albion, I'll give you an example of a typical trip to the restroom, (Sunday morning):
-Walk towards restroom, get about 30 feet
-ChuckE waves me over,
-Eat breakfast ChuckE style, still hot fried fish chunks...  awesome!
-Chat for 5 minutes, laugh a lot
-Pet the dog
-Finally make it to bathroom
-Notice Mooch is having a garage sale, walk over
-Walk away with a fistfull of lead heads and swimbaits for $2.
-Finally make it back to my spot, where more Al offers more food and I realize I need to pee again.

Thanks for getting us together, Sean!
Thanks Alain, Sarah, Andy, and Brenda for sharing a spot and the hospitality!
Thanks to EVERYONE for the food!

Special Props to Fishmaster1/Andy for the cooking...  Some of the best food was not even at the potluck...  The crab/beer/fish stew was OFF THE HOOK, and so was that wild boar...  and the carnitas, too!

Had a blast. Props so Sean and others for putting it together. And to my site mates craig/ravensblack, Jay/fishin-jay and Theresa/parrothead for the generosity. This group of ppl never stops amazing me. Craig, I missed you before you left. But thanks again for getting the site booked and paid for. Good vibes helped secure 2nd place. Enjoy that new PFD!

Mooch, this weekend got the fish count up to 45. Almost 1/2 way. Hopefully MBK/Davenport will push it to 60+

Congrats to KIEL, CRAIG, and MIKE! I missed the good times and company. Next time, I hope.

LL

great time, and if any one has some pics of the octopus that would be great, good people, food and big waves.

Looks like I missed a killer campout (not a surprise--I knew NCKA would represent!).
What's up with Andy's boat--shots of it upside down and water in the hull. Hope its OK....the boat, not Andy....hahahahaha!

Eric, that's a sweet recap of a trip to the bathroom!

 

lets say andy found some water in his hull!  i'll leave the rest to him.