Bolinas RPT - 6-15-2020

I have to agree. Nobody owes anything to this person besides a court date

No anger here, but maybe hold that last thought

This is a town that has guarded itself as a non-tourist-destination since before prohibition, and even manages to keep the law at a distance. What response do you think you’re going to stir up if you take one of the locals to the law for making some noise and a few waves

Ive fished Bolinas for decades and got along fine with the local salmon guys, why’s it all of a sudden a problem?

As one of the kayakers in this video, one among the many who were harassed/threatened by this clown, I think this situation amounts to more than just "a few waves". The morning we launched out of Bolinas, the fog was thick making visibility no more than 100ft. As we're heading out to the salmon grounds, a boat comes screaming up behind us out of the fog within 10ft of our kayaks, and then proceeds to do donuts around us while cussing us out.

Now, if that situation seems acceptable then I don't think you understand how dangerous it actually was for every one of those kayakers out there. I'm sure many of us would have been happy to talk civilly with the guy, but he never offered that and instead threatened us. I'm sure most of the locals in Bolinas are great, this guy just wasn't one of them and should be held responsible for the situation he caused rather than have excuses made for him by other locals/friends and whoever else. Not trying to be an a$$hole here but it was frightening and honestly more than just a few waves.

Yeah.. To call this "A few waves" is clear ignorance to the reality of the situation.

I have to agree. Nobody owes anything to this person besides a court date

No anger here, but maybe hold that last thought

This is a town that has guarded itself as a non-tourist-destination since before prohibition, and even manages to keep the law at a distance. What response do you think you’re going to stir up if you take one of the locals to the law for making some noise and a few waves

Ive fished Bolinas for decades and got along fine with the local salmon guys, why’s it all of a sudden a problem?

As one of the kayakers in this video, one among the many who were harassed/threatened by this clown, I think this situation amounts to more than just "a few waves". The morning we launched out of Bolinas, the fog was thick making visibility no more than 100ft. As we're heading out to the salmon grounds, a boat comes screaming up behind us out of the fog within 10ft of our kayaks, and then proceeds to do donuts around us while cussing us out.

Now, if that situation seems acceptable then I don't think you understand how dangerous it actually was for every one of those kayakers out there. I'm sure many of us would have been happy to talk civilly with the guy, but he never offered that and instead threatened us. I'm sure most of the locals in Bolinas are great, this guy just wasn't one of them and should be held responsible for the situation he caused rather than have excuses made for him by other locals/friends and whoever else. Not trying to be an a$$hole here but it was frightening and honestly more than just a few waves.

Ronnokk, about the safety and intimidation part of this you are right and I was wrong how I characterized it, I tend to do a shitty job as a writer just so you know. I also would have had to contain my temper under those circumstances. I had a near miss with a 6pack boat at HMB, and also took care of a kid in the ICU who was badly mauled by a propellor. So I know it’s not a minor thing, my apologies for how I characterized it

On the other side of it I know I’m right, the salmon thing is sacred to people in places like Bolinas. YouTube is a f***ing curse not just to the local fishing communities but to the fish imo

These people are having a hard time swallowing the new ways of looking at salmon, it goes against everything they grew up with, myself included in that. I stopped hammering salmon in 1989 after years of it, long story behind that. But salmon is more than a fish report and making $ on YouTube likes etc

There are some towns up north I could direct you to the local bars and even tell you who to introduce yourself and say youre a salmon or steelhead youtuber, they will buy you a beer and beat the shit out of you for the equivalent of what’s going on these days at Bolinas. Go into smileys and explain what youre doing out at Dux on youtube and then get the results on a GoPro, it will explain everything clear as daylight

Everyone has a right to whatever, making money on youtube probably being one of them, but don’t expect it to be all peace and love for kayaks up there

Ive been fishing salmon and steelhead all over California and up into Oregon for almost 50 years, minus the last 3 and a few I took off to take care of family. I could see this coming now it’s here

Again I’m not saying the hothead was right harassing you, but he’s a local in a place where locals are loyal to each other and if you want to take it to the law expect the worst for the foreseeable future for kayakers parking and launching there

I fished that spot for decades now, never had a problem with any of the local fishermen, have tons of respect for some of them. I was out there in 20-25’ swell and one of them put himself at considerable risk to get near enough to ask if there was anything I wanted him to do. He and others out of Bolinas are lifelong fishermen and likely have the same attitude about youtube etc, just not as hotheaded about it as this guy

Now I expect to have to cross my fingers and hope for the best if I want to park and launch there. Just changing times

I have to agree. Nobody owes anything to this person besides a court date

What response do you think you’re going to stir up if you take one of the locals to the law

Please elaborate.  If the guy doing donuts, or other locals retaliate for reporting him to the law, then we have have a real problem.  It is very easy to see his POV, but his actions were completely unacceptable. 

I didnt say this was an easy one

My son is 13 but looks like and has the size of an 18 year old The locals down at Santa Cruz and one at HMB (adults) have started in on him a few times and I’ve had to get in the middle of things more than once. Good life lessons for him I guess

Bolinas is a different kind of place and they have a legit beef with some of what’s going on. It also has a culture that stretches back a long long time, and that’s what you will be up against, not just one hothead fisherman

Don’t know what the answer is off the top of my head but I can tell you if you push the law to get involved it will just get worse

Just take my opinions as opinions, don’t get worked up about it. Not sure what the answer is at this point but just trying to add something to help people understand what’s going on

Generally speaking I’m glad I fished when I did, things are quite the circus now

Thanks for that.  Not just putting you on the spot, but what would the appropriate response be OTW when something like this happens again?  Taking into account not wanting to affect the locals' view towards us while at the same time maintaining accountability and order for all?  Im sure there are locals at Bolinas that were very against how this gentleman conducted himself.  If it is somewhat self-governed there, then who is the one that will check people when they endanger the lives of others on the water?  I understand some want to pack heat OTW... deliver their own justice.  Not me.  Im all about collective peace and harmony with no intention of upsetting anyone.  I just wanted to fish and explore.  Plus, boat vs. kayak, boat wins.  We are pretty much powerless (pun intended) in that situation. 

In the 70s I worked as a diver cutting nets off of props of herring boats in sf bay. The fishermen would set their nets and go run over other nets, then call me. It got to the point that they were popping of rounds at each other right there along Sausalito waterfront and the dfg and sheriffs had to threaten to call a halt to the fishery if it didnt stop. I would be out there cutting a net and could hear the owner of the net motoring up, would go up and try to be as smiley as possible while heated words passed back and forth, some of it at me. Two of my diver competitors offered to shoot me if I stayed in business there, which I did and wasn’t shot

But anybody talking about carrying a firearm should think hard about that. Many of the commies do carry firearms

Too bad Guitarzan wasn’t in town I think he may know some of the locals, although I think he has a full enough plate without this bullshit

Anyway would be better to go into it with the friendly approach than calling the cops which would be the biggest faux pas imaginable in a town like Bolinas

I could be wrong

Nolanduke I don’t mind being put on the spot, and frankly I’m not sure how to defuse this one

Cool.  Thanks.  I'm trying to learn and see all perspectives - only been doing this for a few years and really love the sport and don't want it to get like that.
 
Nolan

My perspective (FWIW), is to respect locals and to give them the benefit of the doubt.  Tight knit communities will rally around each other to protect their own.  Also, if someone inside the community is in the wrong, the community will handle it as they see fit.  This comes from some personal experience and from a few good friends that are in law enforcement.

Buzzing kayaks in a boat is wrong and is unacceptable.  Changing that behavior is not going to happen by outsiders complaining or filling a report.  Change may never come.   The "outsider" needs to change their expectations when entering into the situation and not expect the same courtesy you would get at home.     I'm not saying that you need to be passive and let the locals walk all over you.  I'm saying expect not to be treated like you are at home and be ready to respond.

I know this isn't a popular statement and some here will attack all or pieces of what I wrote above.  oh well

I’m wondering if maybe that fact that Bolinas has been closed for a few months, and now the recent opening has brought out the kayak, surfer, and beach goers all at once?

I don’t think a halibut video from last year was the reason for the increased numbers last weekend.

I was close enough to hear what those guys were yelling about.. it seemed to be the “blowing up of their spot”. Again, it was chicken shit cowardly behavior to do what they did. But moving forward with deescalation in mind.. I’m personally not going to go in a big group and park on the street to allow space for the families and beach goers. At 6am every spot including the street was taken by kayakers. That’s too much and I can understand how it could be perceived as disrespectful.
We can have the attitude that it’s public therefore I do what I want. I don’t think it’s helpful to anyone.

Bolinas is a lot like a town up north I used to go to that had the same vibe about keeping outsiders out Now that place is gentrified, good and bad things came with that

I only know one family at Bolinas and have met only a few of the fishermen so won’t try to speak for anybody. But whether it’s just one guy or three guys getting heated up about it it's probably safe to say they aren’t the only ones thinking this way

This is also more than a Bolinas thing

I’ve taken my son and his friends on pbs a few times to give them a taste of salmon fishing, I think it was last year the boat we were on had to abandon Pedro to avoid the kayak chaos, yaks going every direction like a swarm of bees

The captain did it for safety reasons (kayakers’ safety) so that means he has to pass up a spot he’s been fishing for decades. There was no place he could’ve turned inside a big zone without running over a kayak so we had to go way outside where we promptly started dragging jellies. He was on the radio with a private boat explaining his problem, I was thinking he should just go right through the yaks and give a honk for fair warning but wasn’t my call

Sounds like from what Seanster says there was quite a fleet launched at Bolinas the day this thing happened. Not sure what to make of it or what to suggest except maybe try not to give the Coen brothers any strange new material

I’m pretty sure we can all share a body of water. Just because someone’s been fishing a spot for decades doesn’t give them the right to reserve that spot for themselves. I’ve been to Bodega And HMB during a hot salmon bite with Tons of boatS and kayakers in the mix and everyone was civil. Boaters were stoked when kayakers caught fish and vice versa. We were dodging each other carefully while trolling with no issues. It all comes down to mutual respect.

I’m pretty sure we can all share a body of water. Just because someone’s been fishing a spot for decades doesn’t give them the right to reserve that spot for themselves. I’ve been to Bodega And HMB during a hot salmon bite with Tons of boatS and kayakers in the mix and everyone was civil. Boaters were stoked when kayakers caught fish and vice versa. We were dodging each other carefully while trolling with no issues. It all comes down to mutual respect.

You're missing the point. Sharing a spot is one thing. Blowing it open on the internet for the whole fishing word to see is very different, and that's when this new hostility began. When someone comes in with a GoPro - someone who hasn't fished here for decades and hasn't made the effort to get to know people and earn their trust - and posts the f***ing location and "halibut frenzy" in the video's title, that is a problem and it is going to tick off the locals who have kept it quiet for decades.

TLA's videos don't get enough views to make him rich or famous, but they get enough to burn spots and cause friction with the locals. And the unfortunate irony is that it probably won't be his tires that will get slashed. He'll be off blowing up some other spot that day.

I’m pretty sure we can all share a body of water. Just because someone’s been fishing a spot for decades doesn’t give them the right to reserve that spot for themselves. I’ve been to Bodega And HMB during a hot salmon bite with Tons of boatS and kayakers in the mix and everyone was civil. Boaters were stoked when kayakers caught fish and vice versa. We were dodging each other carefully while trolling with no issues. It all comes down to mutual respect.

You're missing the point. Sharing a spot is one thing. Blowing it open on the internet for the whole fishing word to see is very different, and that's when this new hostility began. When someone comes in with a GoPro - someone who hasn't fished here for decades and hasn't made the effort to get to know people and earn their trust - and posts the f***ing location and "halibut frenzy" in the video's title, that is a problem and it is going to tick off the locals who have kept it quiet for decades.

TLA's videos don't get enough views to make him rich or famous, but they get enough to burn spots and cause friction with the locals. And the unfortunate irony is that it probably won't be his tires that will get slashed. He'll be off blowing up some other spot that day.

Really?
It seemes like people that were already pissed about the halibut vids can't wait to blame them for this.
The problem is that no one was fishing for halibut, and I don't think that +1yr old video of halibut sent a buch of people out to troll for salmon.
Dux is one of the best known salmon spots outside the gate, and definitely no secret, party boats post up their success all the time.
If that guy was upset about those halibut vids he sure waited for a long time.
As for people on NCKA pissed about the vids, I get it, but again where are all these guys "blowing up the halibut" all I see are people hunting chrome.

Lorin Tristan Rich

Age 36

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk