Salmon Season Day 6 - ugh...

We arrived at 6AM to check in and embark on our charter.  $120/apiece for a full day.  Phil, the Skipper, polls the 6 of us customers:  "salmon's been very poor - I think we should go for halibut or rockfish/lings".  I told him I release plenty of rockfish and lings and I've never caught a halibut, so I'm up for that.  The rest of the group agrees, so that's our mission.  I was bummed to not have the full day salmon try, but I trust the Skipper.  Well, he's been skunked only 3 times in 6 years with this current boat, and today might as well have been the 4th, but we did pull up two small Petrale Sole...  8 hours on the water drifting in 250 FOW for nothing was F*%#ing torture!  I did appreciate the Skipper's professionalism and courtesy, and the rest of the group was cool (could've done w/o Tom's cigarette smoke...).  Being out on the water was emotional for my stepmother because she's only ever been out with my Dad, as was the case for me too.  I'm glad I went with her - we've got it OUT of our system!

We heard talk of some salmon caught, but it's still slow.  Some boats went out over 40 miles for albies and scored, but they got tossed around.  We had a beautiful sunny morning with a slick ocean, then the fog rolled in and the chop got tossy.  I felt a little queasy, but I was actually really pleased to be able to drift and not get sick.

I'm looking forward to more time on my yak!   

Bummer the catching wasn't better, but sounds like you got to spend some quality time OTW remembering your Dad...that makes any day a great day in my book!!!

Good luck next time!!!

Sincerely,

Jim

Too bad you couldn't have found a spot on the boat next to Phil's, the Sea Weasel. Four people on board got 8 salmon to 20# today.
I fished with him on Mon & Tues. Mon was a 16# ripe hen @ 200' and Tues was a 12# buck @150'.
Those were the only two salmon both days except for a shorty that I released.
I'm making the long drive back up there tomorrow to fish Sat.
Hope he can still find them.

Oh...you're already back from the PB Darkside.I guess you never really left us, you just have salmon fever.

Good try. And just goes to show that a fancy-schmancy $60K boat doesn't = more fish....but you already knew that.
I've been hearing 150-200ft too. You might need two Deep Sixes...like a Deep Twelve or something LOL!

Oh, and if you don't catch a salmon....you're not my friend anymore. Don't let me down buddy!
 

Keep on trying Eric.  We're rooting for you    Thanks for the report.

Too bad you couldn't have found a spot on the boat next to Phil's, the Sea Weasel. Four people on board got 8 salmon to 20# today.
I fished with him on Mon & Tues. Mon was a 16# ripe hen @ 200' and Tues was a 12# buck @150'.
Those were the only two salmon both days except for a shorty that I released.
I'm making the long drive back up there tomorrow to fish Sat.
Hope he can still find them.

Too true, Metalhead - that's Gary Blasi on the Sea Weasel.  We spoke to him this morning at 6AM at check-in.  His business is called "Full Throttle Sportfishing".  He's a young guy, and I hear he lives up to that business name.  He reported that yesterday he scored three kings:  16, 18 and 26 pounds I think.  Here's the kicker:  he was fishing 12 miles out, in 1000' of water, 300' down on the wire!  That's un-f#$*ing-heard of!  He's getting it done - no doubt about that.

A woman with a boat called "Minnow Paws" scored two kings today - the second one 26 pounds and not too deep.  Captain Phil says, "respectfully, she's not the greatest fisherman out there, so there's plenty of luck involved..."  I'm counting on some of that luck and hoping to close the season out Saturday with my homeboy, Dom, out of Humboldt Bay.  I only got a little over an hour trolling out there last Sunday.  I'm hoping for more like 3-4 hours trolling to close it out.  I'll give it all I've got and be happy with that.

Don't let me down buddy!

Keep on trying Eric.  We're rooting for you 

I appreciate the support and enthusiasm, Guys.  If it's meant to be it'll happen.  The main points of focus for me are being out there, presenting a tight offering, and focusing on how fortunate I am to have the opportunity to fish for a Chinook in my home waters.  The confidence and contentment that come just from those factors is enough to make me feel fulfilled.  If I catch a fish it all just escelates to a Nirvana State that largely has to do with sharing it here.  I really dig that, and I thank you all for that.   

You are really after them and I know you will get one soon. Your line about your Mom makes me think of mine and days gone by since the old man left this plane of existence. Happy trails Eric.

I have never heard of trolling for salmon 300' deep. Thats outrageous. Dark too.

You are really after them and I know you will get one soon. Your line about your Mom makes me think of mine and days gone by since the old man left this plane of existence. Happy trails Eric.

I have never heard of trolling for salmon 300' deep. Thats outrageous. Dark too.

The Police are playing Synchronicity right now...  I just sent you a PM, Craig - before I saw this response.  It's all good, Brother.  Thank you.   

There's a big fat salmon out there just waiting for you Eric. You just haven't crossed path with it yet.

Jedmo

Right on Mr King!!!!

 I was thinking of you today while I out fighting fires in over 100 degree heat...

 Made feel Kool all over.... Glad your getting out there and ROOTING for Ya!!!!!   

I went out of Trinidad on Thursday, 5 on the boat we drown several anchovies taking them on a scenic tour of the 300' line at several depths.  Not a nicked chovie, nothing.  We stopped and caught a few blacks on the way back in, so not a total skunk.

The DFG biologist on the dock said 14 fish counted for 80+ boats, including 4 on the Shenandoah.  EcoTrust was on the dock taking reports and fishing habits as well.

Hang Tough   AK it will come... Tight lines on "nirvan"

Too bad you couldn't have found a spot on the boat next to Phil's, the Sea Weasel. Four people on board got 8 salmon to 20# today.
I fished with him on Mon & Tues. Mon was a 16# ripe hen @ 200' and Tues was a 12# buck @150'.
Those were the only two salmon both days except for a shorty that I released.
I'm making the long drive back up there tomorrow to fish Sat.
Hope he can still find them.

Too true, Metalhead - that's Gary Blasi on the Sea Weasel.  We spoke to him this morning at 6AM at check-in.  His business is called "Full Throttle Sportfishing".  He's a young guy, and I hear he lives up to that business name.  He reported that yesterday he scored three kings:  16, 18 and 26 pounds I think.  Here's the kicker:  he was fishing 12 miles out, in 1000' of water, 300' down on the wire!  That's un-f#$*ing-heard of!  He's getting it done - no doubt about that.

I talked to Gary Friday morning and was advised the weather was going to be snotty Sat. so I cancelled my trip back up there.
Wouldn't you know it, he went out today to the same 1000' water and put 4 more limits on the boat to 22# fishing 300' OTW.

I'm bawlin' like a baby because I didn't go.

That's a bummer, Metalhead. Sorry you missed out.

I went out on the Shenandoah out of Trinidad today, about 3 miles out. Our 11 fishermen were trolling at various depths from 20-50ft or so, and we came back with 3 salmon. Beautiful fish -- at least I got to see some caught. It rained on us a while, and the wind came up a bit more than expected, ~10-15kt w/ 4ft swells. That boat was a-rockin' good. I am pleased to say the Scopace pills worked as advertised today -- my first successful no-barf trip on the CA coast.

Maybe next year for the salmon?