Humboldt Double Day - SF Eel and Humboldt Bay - 5/29/19

The Double Day - execution of two distinct trips in one day.

Turned 50 yesterday, so I celebrated with some water time.  I'm leading a public paddle down the South Fork of the Eel next Saturday, June 8th, so a scouting run was in order.  The South Fork is looking good, but it'll be absolutely gorgeous in the next couple of weeks as it drops from an even green to a slotted emerald with clear edges.  It's an awesome time of year on the river - especially after the recent May rains that should keep flows fresh through July and into August.

If you're interested in the free public paddle you can find info here:  https://www.facebook.com/events/296968394353381/  There are still several spots left.

Wrapped up the 8 mile paddle by mid afternoon and headed down river.  After picking up my teenager and a few groceries I cleaned and stowed gear, and my wife made a simple and tasty b-day dinner.  I was watching the wind subside and knew the tide was due to be high at 930PM - it was time for a halibut run to Humboldt Bay.  Threw a new set of gear in the truck, grabbed a bag of popsicles and headed north to the Eureka waterfront.  Launched by 730 and got two rods fishing as the breeze continued to chill and the sun made its way toward a thick marine layer.  By about 820 I hadn't had a scratch up around the middle channel bridge, but that changed fast.  I was on a smallish 'but that came to the surface pretty quickly and didn't warrant a net job.  I tried to tail it, and it jammed on a screaming little run.  Got it back up top and this time it couldn't shake out of my tail-grip.  I held it over my floating hog trough and saw it just about made 24".  Game over - got the net out to process it in.

With blood on deck and a cold birthday brew uncapped, I enjoyed another half hour or so of fishing and a brisk paddle against the tide back to the truck a mile and a half away.  Filleted by 1130, to bed too late.  50 got broke in properly.   

 

Happy 50th Eric!  Glad you did it right.  Not surprised though.   

Happy bday abking!  Sounds like a perfect way to turn 50.   I just broke 64 years 3 weeks ago, thus the charter Salmon trip last Friday.

Had to take the kid to school - will post balance of photos in an hour.

Happy Birthday SalmonKing!
As always, thanks for sharing your adventures with us, birthday and non-birthdays.

Happy Birthday Eric, great way to spend the day on your birthday. Hope you see 50 more.  I can’t remember what I did when I turned 50 to many years in  the past. Probably called in sick that day.😆😆😆😆

 
too cool.

Happy birthday. You set the bar high for good times, as usual!

Word.

Happy Birthday, E!

Thanks, fellas.   

 

Looks like a great time! Happy Birthday!

 

Happy Birthday - did you join AARP? 

Happy Birthday - did you join AARP? 

They can't handle me yet.