Timber Cove, Wednesday 8/10/11

Sorry for the somewhat late report. I suppose it would have been more useful yesterday, or the day of, but better late than never 

My friend Devin and I dove Timber Cove on Wednesday, hoping to pop a few abs and find some decent fish. Interesting to note, was that this would probably be Devin's last dive for a while before heading up to college in the Puget Sound area.

We launched our yaks by 8:30 and paddled out to the spot. I jumped in first after tying off to the kelp. There was fog, no wind, and the swells weren't bad at all, even outside the cove. Immediately I dropped my gun and noticed the excellent visibility; about 20 feet of vis, in 30 feet of water!

I popped an ab right off the bat and then I began noticing a lot of free swimming blues of decent size. I picked off a number of them, to 15". Some of them I even shot just 5 feet below the surface, just underneath the canopy. I witnessed something very cool with the blues, too. I was hovering motionless just under the kelp, when I heard a loud series of thuds. I turned my head at the right moment and noticed 3 large blues that had shot out of the canopy downward towards a school of tiny, juvenile rockfish. I can't be sure but I think the blues were hiding in the kelp and then dive bombing the little guys. Never seen that before.

The month being August, and not seeing many seals playing in the water (all were sprwawled out on the rocks), I was somewhat hesitant to move outside the kelp line to the drop off I knew of 
I did anyway. 

As I had done in the past, I descended on the drop off, finding massive boulders in 35-40 feet of water. I picked up a decent black, who was suspended, and on the next drop, I found a legal ling sitting out in a wedge. No stone shot, but with a solid shot through the eye, he was easily subdued.

Though I began to get a bit chilled at thsi point, using my "holy" gloves and socks (my left thumb was exposed the hole time due to a large rip), I had settled into a zone of relaxation, my concentration set, my body as one with the water, moving slowly and fluidly. I picked off a gopher and began working the school of large blues at 40 feet. I had soon filled my limit, which I never choose to do. Not without reason, however, wtih large fish fries commencing that night and the following night. I popped my abs and got out, satisfied with the day's hunting.

Devin did well, as well, taking some nice blues and a small black in 25-30 feet of water. We headed in just after noon.

On the drive back, we were very fortunate and spotted a whale from from the highway. Along Sonoma State Beach, I glanced out my window and saw what looked like a blow hole. I told Devin and he pulled off, and we waited and watched. Just when we thought it was just a wash rock, the whale surfaced again, maybe 200 yards off shore, spewing a jet of water into the air. Very cool.

Back at his place in Orinda, a delicious feast was prepared. From smoked, to sauteed, to steamed, to fried, and even sashimi, the fish and abs were prepared in numerous ways. 
While the thrill of the hunt may be the best part of our sport, the culinary aspect and eating has to be a close second.

Yet another rewarding day of diving on the North Coast. 







 

Nicely written report, beautiful blue ling, and a natural smile that comes from the heart - good stuff, Rick.   

The ling slayer strikes again! Way to go Rick I admire your devotion to this new to us sport....When I grow up I wanna be just like you!

I can't see the pics here at work, but I KNOW they are top notch, just like your report and you and your diving/hunting skills.

Congrats bro and thanks for sharing...I'm hoping to be up in those parts on Sunday and hope we get viz like that as well!!

 

Sincerely,

Jim

Rick, awesome job once again lil brother!! Always love the coloration of those lings

Yep! I was right...GREAT pics!!

Congrats again!!

 

Sincerely,

Jim

Sweeeet! WTG Rick!

Sent from my Droid using Tapatalk

damn rick... thats all I can say... LOL