Summer Vacation 2009 - Russian Gulch SP

Hello all,

I'm still paying for taking the first week of August off to go camping at Russian Gulch State Park but wanted to touch base and thank the person for the suggestion. The princess loved it so much that we are going up next year the same week as due to swim schedule, CCA swimmers get the first three weeks of August off and that's it.

Now back to the adventure. I'm going to prepare the Reader's Digest version for brevity:

Arrived Sunday, August 2nd around 3:30 pm. Ocean FAC. Set up camp. Unpacked fishing gear.

Monday, August 3rd. Went out with the crew for about two and a half hours. Caught an underling with one following it. Tried to get the second to hit the teaser but it was only interested in the jig in the first one's mouth. Caught two gophers. Hooked a 20" copper which we lost at the boat. The princess wanted to help by netting it and bumped it off with the net. Immediately took full blame for poor fish handling as she was about to start crying. Went in and got ice cream. Ice cream fixes all.

Tuesday, August 4th. Crew went south towards Goat Rock. Caught a china, a few gopher and a black. Saw some dolphin and a seal eating a fish. Out about two hours.

Wednesday, August 5th. Crew went south. Caught a black, an olive, and two canary. Canary went back. Out about three hours. Later in day hiked to waterfall.

Thursday, August 6th. Took everyone to Van Damme to kayak sea caves. Lots of pretty stuff to look at. That afternoon took friends 10-year-old out fishing for three hours. Kid never been fishing and I don't have/use bait. Set him up with an ABU 6500 on a heavy steelhead baitcaster with two sluggo's as shrimp flies. He caught a black and a 22" MONSTER copper. I caught two gopher and a blue.

Friday, August 7th. Wife called "No Joy". Went biking and hiking up at MacKerricher State Park. Saw tide pools. Princess fell on the slimy rocks and skinned her knee. Got more ice cream.

Saturday August 8th. Wonder Mutt and I went fishing solo early while family unit slept. Unfortunately 6' NW swell with 10kt wind. Fished for a little over two hours. Caught two blacks, china, and gopher. Later went to Big River and paddled the estuary and watched an osprey fishing. Packed up and came home.

Sunday, August 9th. Made about two gallons of ceviche with gopher fillets. Had friends over with beer and wine. Ate grilled fish taco's all last week with chipotle lime sauce.

The most productive lure was a 4" Ice Shad sluggo either as a dropper of off of a metal jig. Second best lure was a Tadi blue/white/glow metal jig with a white twister tail on the siwash hook. All of the beaches are dog friendly which is a huge plus and the princess had a blast. Thanks again for the info and suggestion.

Random assorted pictures attached.

rob
jrsyboy

More random photos:

Wow! Thanks for the detailed report. Way to get the kids on fish those are some great photos. And thanks for whoever suggested Russian Gulch, the start of A family destenation,....Andy

Bring tears to my eyes whenever I see Dad and Children bonding on fishing... cant wait till I get to kayak with my son! Thanks for the pics and detailed report!

Thanks for sharing your family time on the water with us. Nothing beats that, taking little peanut out on the water for some serious fishing  and dad time.


SRJ

Great report and way to get the family involved. It feels like it will be an eternity before my little girl is old enough for that 

Thanks for the inspiration.

-FF

Ditto on sharing a wonderful family trip...fishing, camping, more fishing, hiking, more fishing...Nice...thx for report and pics...and fish tacos back home ...ummmm

Thanks for sharing the family vacation trip in your detailed report.  Love the pictures especially the one with you, princess, and the dog!

Rob,

Thanks for taking us with you. Princess is a princess....

Is your NCKA handle because you are a New Jersey boy?? If so, I'm with you.. Born in Newark, raised in Rutherford....

Rich

DUDE!!!!


 If that pic of you with your daughter and dog on the Yak does not make Photo of the year...

   Says it all to me.....

  Well Done   

DUDE!!!!


 If that pic of you with your daughter and dog on the Yak does not make Photo of the year...

   Says it all to me.....

  Well Done   

Seconded!

The picture of you , the Princess and the Wonderdog is priceless ! Treasure those moments , my Princess is 24 and a married lady . Time goes by too fast !  Nice report and pics .

Awesome!!!!!

Can't wait until I can get my daughter out OTW with me!!!

Congratulations on sharing some priceless quality time with your family enjoying our beautiful coastline!!!

Sincerely,

Jim

Awesome report.  Getting princess out there is the Best of Times - nice one, Man.   

 wow, great report and pictures, expecially the one going through the rocks.  Also, congrats on spending time with your daughter, will pay dividends for your entire life, how can you put a price on a trip like that!