Bolinas RPT - 6-15-2020

Cant believe a report hasnt been posted here yet, but not because yesterday was such a beautiful morning at Bolinas or because there were so few salmon caught (unless you were mooching in 25 FOW near the beach  ).

The reason I am surprised, is because there was a very aggressive powerboater doing donuts around all of the kayakers about 2 miles out near the dux buoy in the middle of the fog.  He was mad about people parking in the parking lot in Bolinas.    I shot a video with my Nikon (super clear) of most of our encounter and Ill post it later once I convert all of the files from Nikon to internet.  I will also be filing a complaint with the coast guard and the Bolinas Sheriff's dept providing my video.  This incident was already posted on LCKA with video, so thanks to Jess  .  Im not on facebook, never have been, otherwise I would post my video there too. 

My opinion is probably more measured than most... yeah, there were a lot of people in Bolinas - surfers, kayakers, and beach-goers... it was packed.  Also, it was pretty obvious he wasnt going to DO anything other than intimidate.  But, I have never experienced such a threatening encounter on the water.  He came within 10 feet of my bow doing circles around us letting us deal with his wake while yelling at us.     I hope some others also got good footage or pics.  I would really appreciate for this guy to face some consequence for his actions.  There are much better ways to conduct oneself. 

Wow, I hope you got his numbers in the video? Yes, please post the video and report him. I take it he was one of the local skiffs that launch from the lagoon? Not cool.

I was out there too when the PBer buzzed by us and starting yelling profanities. Never seen anything like that OTW. I think they're just mad that us yakkers have an easy launch and can catch "their" salmon. Would it have been different if we were all had PBs instead?

What surprises me is that they think can do that without getting caught on video/camera...it's 2020, your actions are likely to get filmed.

Found this video of the incident

https://www.facebook.com/groups/lostcoastkayakanglers/permalink/3063902490356306/

Here is the CG contact I spoke with - [email protected]

I provided a description of the incident and I will be sending my video to him as well.  Please send him any other information you have.  Thanks!   

I shot the gopro video that was posted to LCKA on facebook and sent it to Jess  (i do not have facebook).  If someone wants to post the vid here, i can email it (im not sure how).    CF 1666 VF from i could read.  60hp Zuk  hangin off the back.   We heard some noise over the radio about a pb being a jackass, couple minutes later he came at us out of the fog and proceeded to circle in between the three of us and  harass us before tearing off through the fog to harass the next group of kayakers.  Later, we saw him come back in to calmer waters and shoot off a flare of some sort. While I agree that he probably wasn't going to do anything much more than try to intimidate, there was a line that was crossed.  It doesnt take much for a situation like that to turn south quickly.  There is no place for any of that on the water.

I shot the gopro video that was posted to LCKA on facebook and sent it to Jess  (i do not have facebook).  If someone wants to post the vid here, i can email it (im not sure how).    CF 1666 VF from i could read.  60hp Zuk  hangin off the back.   We heard some noise over the radio about a pb being a jackass, couple minutes later he came at us out of the fog and proceeded to circle in between the three of us and  harass us before tearing off through the fog to harass the next group of kayakers.  Later, we saw him come back in to calmer waters and shoot off a flare of some sort. While I agree that he probably wasn't going to do anything much more than try to intimidate, there was a line that was crossed.  It doesnt take much for a situation like that to turn south quickly.  There is no place for any of that on the water.  Someone who recognized the boat told me his name was Loren Rich  (sp?), a Bolinas local.

Well if he is identified, I hope it blows up and he gets shamed out of town. I doubt he represents the majority of Bolinas residents.

Hey that’s me in the gray Revo in that LCKA video!

I recognize the one that was driving the boat. I spoke with him last Wednesday before I launched from Brighton RD. He drives a blue ford or Chevy truck with a work rack in the bed. I would recognize it. We chatted before I launched about the fishing and he did say that he is a local and fishes the area. He said he was doing work that morning on Brighton Rd so maybe he is a contractor of some sort. It was especially disappointing that he had two young adults with him, presumably his sons or a son and his friend.

I just talked to someone who knows Loren and OG's from Bolinas.  He is concerned for all parties and wants the best outcome because threats vs. a township, regardless of incidence, certainly way inappropriate and threatening borderline illegal, can only escalate.  We're brainstorming a sit down with Bolinas OG's and NCKA leaders?  that want the best outcome representing hospitality and respect and care for people of any area that we use for our own benefit while making an area better than when we left.  Comments welcome...could be a new thread, I have my beliefs as do you your own...

Kind of chuckling at this ... some people didn’t observe the no locals during closure and now we’re going to ask them to be chill there

And if I remember didn’t even a few write what locals think is irrelevant to them.

LOL

Some will do and some won’t

But any dialogue is better than none

I doubt I’ll ever do a launch at Bolinas , too dicey for my bones But for those who do
Hope it works out well

The OG's of Bo have asked Loren to chill.  What next is the question...1st off for me, no fishing on Sundays...back to the basics...trading crowds for rest...

never seen this before but you know this ashole is gonna get it!! karma baby!!
hope everyone is ok and no one got tipped or anything serious other than the incident.

I just talked to someone who knows Loren and OG's from Bolinas.  He is concerned for all parties and wants the best outcome because threats vs. a township, regardless of incidence, certainly way inappropriate and threatening borderline illegal, can only escalate.  We're brainstorming a sit down with Bolinas OG's and NCKA leaders?  that want the best outcome representing hospitality and respect and care for people of any area that we use for our own benefit while making an area better than when we left.  Comments welcome...could be a new thread, I have my beliefs as do you your own...

Brainistorming a sitdown?  That's absurd.

How about don't try to run over me and I won't shoot you?

That doesn't take a sitdown and I would have hoped it was universally understood, but some people's children...

Someone needs to contact the Bolinas Rod and Reel Club.

They need to respond to this incident.

I don't care if your family has lived there since the beginning of time. You don't own the beach or the water. Period.

I would view this as an act of violence. If he dumped someone and that person, for some reason, wasn't able to get back in his yak and died, then what? This is very dangerous and hopefully this individual gets a hefty fine, jail time and fishing privileges revoked for a year or longer. This is no different than circling and driving directly at a pedestrian on a street; which is a "deadly weapon".

I just talked to someone who knows Loren and OG's from Bolinas.  He is concerned for all parties and wants the best outcome because threats vs. a township, regardless of incidence, certainly way inappropriate and threatening borderline illegal, can only escalate.  We're brainstorming a sit down with Bolinas OG's and NCKA leaders?  that want the best outcome representing hospitality and respect and care for people of any area that we use for our own benefit while making an area better than when we left.  Comments welcome...could be a new thread, I have my beliefs as do you your own...

I see the issue from both sides, needless to say, I lean toward kayak fishing access and promoting our sport. -- That includes safety first! Eddie understands the whole picture and i respect his opinion greatly vs. those who just mouth off on this board. I agree there was clearly a line crossed yesterday and our safety was put in danger.
Days where 10-15 kayak anglers are on the water is an anomaly, and not the "Norm". This is still an advance fishing area, IMHO. This can also said about 100 boats trying to launch from a boat ramp on a hot bite.

I'll put in my two cents. Maybe or not on NCKA, but on my blog, magazine or whatever other communication channels i have. I still believe the Majority of the people at Bolinas are good and hospitable people. One bad action should not taint the rest. However i think this issue should be openly addressed.

Fishing diplomacy. Who would have thought!? 

BTW: I saw Eddie do some brain surgery on a halibut i caught. He is a skilled surgeon if anyone needs brain surgery done!! LOL.