Stillwater North

A friend from Boston was invited to dinner and I thought some fresh rockfish would be an ideal meal. My son from Alaska just arrived at my place Wednesday morning so we loaded the yaks, my Adventure and a 18 foot by 22 inch glass Eddyline for him. He only uses SIKs in Alaska to fish from. Conditions were less than ideal. Big swell with a hard running current going north. Once outside the cove conditions became fishable, barely that is. Foe awhile I was thinking that dinner was going to be chicken but we ended up with five blacks and a decent ling. Managed to catch the right wave and land upright which was a good ending for the kind of day it was. The SIK with an expert paddler really rode the swells, slop, and surf nicely, better than my SOT for sure.

Yikes.  Doesn't look ideal in the least

Eeesh...West swells are a bitch!

nice shot of the SIK on swell

thanks

Thanks for the report and pictures Charles.

Just looking at the shot of your son on that swell made me queasy. Cool picture though ! Glad that you got a little dinner for your efforts atleast.

Why is he wearing a t-shirt, and no PFD?  That's a recipe for disaster right there.

He only uses SIKs in Alaska to fish from.The SIK with an expert paddler really rode the swells, slop, and surf nicely, better than my SOT for sure.

this is why ^   

Why is he wearing a t-shirt, and no PFD?  That's a recipe for disaster right there.

Spray skirt is in place. His ability to roll SIKs is excellent. If it were me I'd do what I always do, wear a PFD but telling a grown son with thousands of ocean miles of kayak expedition experience what to do on the yak will not change his evaluation of what is and is not a risk to him. Ability cannot negate risk but can diminish it to the point where an activity risky to some is a small risk to others.

Why is he wearing a t-shirt, and no PFD?  That's a recipe for disaster right there.

Spray skirt is in place. His ability to roll SIKs is excellent. If it were me I'd do what I always do, wear a PFD but telling a grown son with thousands of ocean miles of kayak expedition experience what to do on the yak will not change his evaluation of what is and is not a risk to him. Ability cannot negate risk but can diminish it to the point where an activity risky to some is a small risk to others.

I thought the same thing as Al when I saw that.  Thanks for the details, Charles.

Way to get some fish and survive!   

Why is he wearing a t-shirt, and no PFD?  That's a recipe for disaster right there.

Spray skirt is in place. His ability to roll SIKs is excellent. If it were me I'd do what I always do, wear a PFD but telling a grown son with thousands of ocean miles of kayak expedition experience what to do on the yak will not change his evaluation of what is and is not a risk to him. Ability cannot negate risk but can diminish it to the point where an activity risky to some is a small risk to others.

Sharktober tho.

Its foolhardy.  Hubris has been the death of many skilled men.

ATGATT bros

It's pretty much a gravy landing at Stillwater most of the time. Shallow gravel beach. No rocks in the middle. I've only seen one blue there in my life. Way to get on it fellas.

Thanks for the strong report Charles. I did not know that you were Nathan's dad. Nate is an old friend of mine and one of the first friends that I made when I had first moved to northern cal. I understand that it is difficult for most to conceptualize Nathan's athleticism and experience. Simply "gifted" is an understatement. Nate paddled from Alaska to Seattle with no support. I ask those who critique to let that sink in for a bit. The photo documentation from his adventure is incredible. I was unfortunate enough to have to deal with Nate as an athletic opponent . I understand his abilities all too well.
I hope you 2 enjoy your time together during his visit and please tell him that I said hey.

Why is he wearing a t-shirt, and no PFD?  That's a recipe for disaster right there.

Spray skirt is in place. His ability to roll SIKs is excellent. If it were me I'd do what I always do, wear a PFD but telling a grown son with thousands of ocean miles of kayak expedition experience what to do on the yak will not change his evaluation of what is and is not a risk to him. Ability cannot negate risk but can diminish it to the point where an activity risky to some is a small risk to others.

Sharktober tho.

Its foolhardy.  Hubris has been the death of many skilled men.

ATGATT bros

I look at this way, despite a shortie wet suit with waterproof jacket and PFD  I was probably at greater risk than he was given the different skill and experience levels and age difference between us. While the decision by me launch and fish that day might have been on the sketchy side it didn't rise to the level of being foolhardy or an act of hubris. We all take risks out there. That's a given and I would prefer he would have worn the PFD which was with him which he does on his long trips.

It isn't the launching and fishing that I take exception with. I've been out in conditions like that too, as have many of us. I also fully believe that he is an exceptionally skilled paddler. I think that is actually part of the problem.   Immersion gear and a pfd are not optional for me and I think it is foolhardy to go out without them no matter the skill level.

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