Shelter Cove - 8/22/20

Shelter Cove - August 22nd

Evan and Greg have known each other since grade school, and a big part of how they've stayed in touch over the years has been through fishing.  They've hired multiple guides in the north state - yesterday was my turn to show them around and to try to get them on some quality catches.

The forecast had me a bit concerned - 10 to 20 knots of wind with gusts to 30 and 8' @ 8 seconds was all too familiar for this summer at the Cove.  I just hoped it would turn out fishable all day like that forecast so often does.  As I drove over Paradise Ridge in the dark on my way down into the Cove, fir boughs and dry leaves littered the roadway, as nighttime breezes had persisted, and the branches were still swaying - seemingly waving at me like a warning.

I'd told my guys that if Saturday's weather prevented us from getting a good day in that I'd come back Sunday, but once I met them and we had all the gear assembled I knew that it was full steam ahead for Saturday - we were all stoked!  Looking out at the nearshore features as the sun rose, the halibut grounds looked glassy, but all else, including the Bell Buoy area, was covered in a solid wind chop.  The charter captains were on the radio talking about conditions, and soon our trio of kayaks were headed out to where a 'land breeze' was pushing us northwest.  Luckily, the usual current direction of southeast to northwest was turned around, so the drift was largely cancelled out with the breeze opposite of the current.  These are big issues to be assessed right at the beginning of the trip, and the ramifications can make the difference between a good day and a great one, as comfort levels and bite productivity are largely dependent on how the water and air move and interface along the coastline.

We got out to the salmon fleet, which has somewhat oddly shifted a few hundred yards to the south lately (60 to 80 FOW, just SW of the Bell), and not much was happening - no nets flying or fish announced to start the day.  So we made our way offshore toward the Whistle in slop that was very tolerable at around 4' every 7 seconds.  I got my guys on the cloud where we stacked up lingcod and rockfish and enjoyed a great view of the King Range - the magnificent backdrop for Shelter Cove that is amazing to look at from a mile off the point.

With the southeast breeze starting to chill, the ocean laid down a bit and soon we were on classic summer smoothness that would last all day!  After the worry about Small Craft Advisory conditions being too raspy, we were treated to water and a bite that were some of the best of the summer.

On our way back through the salmon grounds a few fish had been picked up, and the charters had landed back in the mix.  We spent a couple of hours on it and managed to get one fatty 13 pounder in the net - 1 for 1 on chrome hookups on a scratchy bite.  As we started to wrap up our session on the water we got on a couple of halibut nearshore, and that was a great capper to an all around fun and productive day at the best kayak fishing port along the coast.

Tailgate time with cold beer and plenty of smiles lasted until the dinner hour, and as much as I wanted to come back and fish with the guys on Sunday too, I was ready to ease my way back over the ridge and down the Eel toward home where I'd clean gear until after dark and melt into my bed for a real night's sleep.

It's been an amazing summer with much to be thankful for and still plenty to look forward to, and I know that I am very fortunate to be working out there, where the wind and the water rule the day and the bite brings out our passion for being alive.

Something I've learned from fishing and from sharing these adventures, is that truth and feelings are the basis for not just passion but also for fulfillment.  The world is in disarray, and communities are in conflict.  We are all greatly challenged right now.  If I may, I'd offer this advice:  embrace your feelings and use the truth to guide you toward your purpose.

I don't claim to be an expert - just a committed practitioner.

Great write up as always eric

Great post and coincidentally a few seconds before posting my questions about the forecast for the Cove! If you have a sec I'd love to hear your opinion on it

Thanks for the great report and pictures Eric.

Always a treat to read your reports.

Sent from my LM-X420 using Tapatalk

Shelter Cove - August 22nd

Evan and Greg have known each other since grade school, and a big part of how they've stayed in touch over the years has been through fishing.  They've hired multiple guides in the north state - yesterday was my turn to show them around and to try to get them on some quality catches.

Good morning! I’m back in the East Bay and it’s blanket of smoke. It’s almost hard to believe that just 24 hours ago I was still on the water trying to soak up as much of that healing goodness as I could get.

Greg and I have fished with a few guides, and Eric ranks right up there with the best of them. Perhaps the best I’ve ever been on the water with. Not only does he know his fishery, he knows how to keep his party safe and happy. Thanks to his expertise, we entered some less than ideal seas with no reservations and excitedly started fishing. I tried to pepper Eric with questions hoping to learn as much as possible for our final day in the cove on Sunday the 23rd, and was treated to detailed answers, diagrams of the cove and it’s features, and lots of how to for rigging and presentation. We got the full tour, an in depth salmon tutorial and explanation of the different zones to fish and to avoid. After arriving at the “cloud” we quickly pulled up quality limits of lingcod and some heathy blacks. On our way back through the fleet towards the halibut grounds,  we got to experience the excitement of a salmon hookup and watched the master himself land a gorgeous king. Can’t wait to come back, apply his teachings, and hopefully fish with him again.

For anyone searching for a quality kayak adventure with a true pro, I would recommend a day with Eric in the Cove. It’s an incredible experience that refilled my tanks for a bit
Thanks!

Great report and write up! Thanks for sharing. One of these days when I finally get my yak done I'll have to set up a trip up there.

For anyone searching for a quality kayak adventure with a true pro, I would recommend a day with Eric in the Cove. It’s an incredible experience that refilled my tanks for a bit
Thanks!

Thank you, bro.  I had a blast with you guys and hope to fish with you again for sure.