Albion Open 2011 results and thread

Well, my story of getting to Albion started back in January when Jay (Fish'n Jay) and Craig (Ravensblack) started chatting about us coming down from Idaho for the event. NCKA has been great to us over the years and helped us survive living in Vallejo, CA for 5 years. After a few chats Jay and I decided that Albion would be our big trip for the summer 2011! We arrived on Thursday at the campground and set up camp. It was great to "come home."

Friday we hit the water! It was my first time on the ocean in about 1 1/2 years...what fun. Caught and released a few fish and headed in early...the seas were not good to me on Friday 

Tournament day...I had a great launch and headed out with Jay. We fought the angry seas as we headed north. I caught a few blacks and decided to keep one. My personal best for this day was that I managed to fish the whole tournament (6 hours on the water). I appreciated the support from Ben (Guitarzan), Naoaki, and Craig (Ravensblack support on the radio!) I paddled in around 12:30 to a great reception on the shore, my black weighed in at 1.3 lbs and good enough for 3rd place in the women's division 

The potluck Saturday was absolutely amazing! Thanks to everyone for the fine food and great chatter. We enjoyed hanging out with Tino's family at the adjacent campground for s'mores and wine. Thanks guys!

Sunday good-byes are tough when you are not sure when you will be back again, but we said a few and then headed out again. Another 5 hours on the ocean (Lake Albion). The seas were great and Jay had to convince me that it was time to head back in around 5 PM. Came back with 2 Chinas and 1 Gopher. Jay cleaned my fish and we got them vacuum sealed for the trip home. Together we ended up with about 5 lbs. of fish for the freezer. I know that frozen fish is not the best, but it the only way to get our fish home.

Sunday evening we hung out in Jed-mo Nation! Great food and great company. Nice to relax and enjoy the night.

Monday morning came with more good-byes (more like "see ya later")  and out on the river we went with the dogs. Jay and I enjoyed the afternoon at North Coast Brewery then enjoyed a walk and some ice cream. Life is indeed very good! Back at camp hung out with Tommy, Allen, and Ed around the campfire and under some amazing stars.

Here it is Tuesday morning, the seas do not look good...wind is blowing. So we will spend the day at camp getting cleaned up and packed for the trek home starting tomorrow.

This vacation has been wonderful and we do plan to come back "home" to Albion every couple years. In the meantime we will keep up with everyone here and on facebook.

Thank you Craig and Linelle for everything you do all year to put this event on. We hope to see you in Idaho sometime!

Chadrock thanks for the pics of the pups of Albion! Our dogs loved the attention from the NCKA family!

Thanks Craig and Jinelle for all your effort, first time to Albion = nice. Congrats to Scott and Brandi and the rest of the winners.  And Ben for big fish honors. Wow Ryan, first time on the salt? Awesome.

Great food and drink again, thanks everyone.

Saw friends, met new ones and somehow missed a few I wanted to see/meet. I hope I do a better job of remembering who's who next time around.

Biggest surprise of the weekend was talking to Zilla for a long time before he fessed up to who he was. lol

Fish'nbrew (Martin), that was me that gave you the homebrew. Nice talking with you and I'm interested in what you think of my beer.

I'm proud to be a part of NCKA, one big happy family.

Jim and Naomi

Got up and wandered the camp to meet FishnJ and Parrot Head for the first time great to meet u!!! Koyote n crew were packed up and ready for the return journeys and Frank was wandering around also...

Jedmo was it u that left the food care package on my table...Adobow sp???  also there was a crab some corn, and water melon....???  Thank you who ever u are!!!
that adobo sp? is the bomb I think I licked the plate...your fam cookout yesterday was insane I've added new favroites to my menue!!!