GS8 - Only one brief capsizing reported - WTG, Everybody!

There are many more memories to make.   

Found this on the interwebs...   

I'm getting all worked up here!  I'll put it like this:

- You can achieve your fishing dreams at Shelter Cove, but we all know that doesn't just happen. 

It can happen at the Cove.

A look from above the Cove...

Not caught at the Cove, but going through old photos...   

That was a 10"+ ab and 23+ pound lingcod taken on the same trip.   

In 2006 I took my Dad down to the Cove to salmon fish from the yaks.  I let him paddle my Scrambler XT, and I trudged along in the back seat of the Mainstream tandem.   

My Dad taught me everything about salmon trolling:  how to hook up bait, how to let out line, how to hold the rod, how to feel a bite, how to set the hook, how to let it run, how to not fuck up the net job!, and how to appreciate everything about a salmon vs just how it tastes and what a thrill it is to catch.  Not to mention, he was a commercial fisherman in the "Mosquito Fleat" of the seventies down there and out of Humboldt Bay AND he was an expert flyfisherman and author on that subject.

To take him salmon fishing on my "home turf" of yakfishing was so awesome for me!  I outfitted the trip, got us down there in my truck, setup the yaks, and we were off to the Bell Buoy.  I'd been catching salmon lately in the area just north of the Bell, so we eagerly trolled up to it.  Dad got snagged badly with a DeepSix, flasher and hooks out (mind you, he's expert) and breaks off $25 worth of gear!  I'm mortified!!  I brought my mentor out here and he's broken off to start the session?!   

He shook it off and got the exact same setup back out.  We weren't trolling 5 more minutes before he was hooked up on a nice fish!  He fought it like the pro he was, and soon it was in his net - there was never any question of whether he needed any help from me.    

The fish that had been being caught and reported around the Cove at that time were small - 6 to 10 pounds.  When my Dad netted his fish that morning I exclaimed, "that's no 10 pounder!!"  He'd bagged a solid 15+ (he never weighed it) to start the day!

We trolled on from there and within 10 to 15 minutes I told him I was heading SW, and we split up.  I trolled for maybe 20 to 25 minutes with no bites before heading back toward that area north of the Bell Buoy.  Got in close with my Dad and he says he's heading in - he had his limit!     He'd actually gone on to catch two more kings, releasing one around 6 to 8 pounds. 

He caught 3 legal kings in about 30 minutes or less between the launch and the Bell Buoy.  That's how this really relates here, but I'd point out that it also really relates on this level:  we are engaged in fishing and kayaking on the ocean and a range of other outdoors endeavors because within those pursuits we are afforded the chance at unique and memorable adventures, but the real thing for me lies in a specific focus - that is, always having a chance at catching a trophy fish or premium target like a salmon.  It's huge, and believing you can do it is 90% of the battle.

I'll always hold dear the lessons my Dad taught me during our times on the water.   

Awesome AWESOME!!!!!! Well put together Eric !!!

Cheers

The other Eric

Thanks for sharing the sweet memories at the cove 

Nice story about your dad. Ill never forget the video of you to at the cape when mama whale and calf came up right next to you (the sound was priceless). Good stuff.

GS-7...12 pounds of orange delight....

Holy shit! That's a monster!!! I think the state record is 14+. I can't wait!!!!

Sent my registration today.

Any change in the shirt design this year?  Would love to see something new and exciting! 

what jim like a monkey face eel in the lings mouth

Stoked! Regs going out today!