Shelter Cove - 5/13/22

Took my largest fishing crew ever out on Friday, May 13th - 5 guests, with two on kayaks supplied by the guide, and two were on their tandem.  Omar, who went out with me last year and set this trip up, was on his newly acquired yak.  I'd spent the night at a house that Omar rented at the Cove - great time getting to know the crew a bit, but I didn't sleep well away from my own bed and routine.  No worries though - I was totally stoked to be taking this group out, and they were super excited to discover the offshore adventures available around Point Delgada.

Up before 5AM, I headed out from the rental house early to get to the ramp in the dark, as is my custom.  There was a light rain falling and a south breeze that had a little chop coming in to the launch.  With everything totally fishable and the forecast telling of improved conditions through the day, I kept my hopes high and my mind focused on assembling the gear and prepping for being busy on the water.  My guests arrived, assembled their own gear, and we went over the layout of the reef, do's and don'ts, inventory of safety and navigation equipment, and a check of everyone's knots and drag, and we were ready to head out.

We started fishing right away, but I had my guests keep their offerings up and away from the rocks so we could get oriented on the water and avoid any hazards like snags that would cost us time and foul the early coordination of the group.  I needed to be sure that all participants were comfortable on open water, not feeling seasick and getting the hang of the kayaks and any other gear that I'd provided.  It's imperative that this gauging is done early and inshore, and my people checked off all the affirmations that I was looking for in terms of their readiness and their interest in following the plan that I was laying out.

Soon we were more than a mile offshore, and after not having many biters on the way out there, I started directing the crew to lower their baits a bit.  Boom!  We were on a large school of black rockfish.  As much as I love to get everyone a variety of different species for their stringers, loading up on blacks to start a group trip like this is optimum for building not only their catch bags but also their confidence and their understanding of the methods and strategies that I was showing.  It wasn't long before everyone had landed legal fish, and we did manage some different species with a few lingcod, a few vermillion and a greenling that came up.  I enjoyed not being able to fish much because I was so busy sprinting from boat to boat, netting fish, removing gills, re-baiting hooks and stowing the catch.

A few hours in we had amassed some tonnage of the white-fleshed fishies, so I pitched the group on heading a bit farther out to where the powerboat fleet was trolling for salmon.  The water had flattened out nicely since we'd launched, the rain had ended, and everyone was stoked to go for it.  It wasn't far to go, and the rockfish were still attacking what were now our best baits, but we did manage to get two nice salmon to the net.

It was getting to be early afternoon, so we decided to head for the launch where we'd get the gear put up, capture the traditional Stringer Display Celebration photos, crack a cold beer and get to work at the Tailgate Fillet Station.  I encouraged my guests to head back to the rental house to freshen up and grab a bite to eat, and by the time they got back I had my gear put away and about two dozen blacks filleted.  They helped me with the rest of the fish, and the salmon were the last to get processed.  Some other friends/past clients arrived to share in the community of the moment, and we were all smiles through an afternoon of sharing stories and sipping the most satisfying beers on the planet. 

With all of the fish filleted and stowed in my guests' coolers, they headed back to the house, and I put the final touches on my gear load for the highway.  I pulled up out of the cove, visited with another old friend at the fillet table and then headed to the house to pick up a few things I'd left there while we fished.  Omar and his buddies were a hive of busy, buzzing workers, with fish getting further processed and stowed, gear being cleaned and readied for the next day, and dinner in the works.  I had to turn down their gracious offer to feed me before I hit the road, and we all said our good-byes.  Omar hit me with a stack of Franklins to settle the bill as well as providing a generous tip, and I was off to scale the King Range in my loaded-down truck and head back up 101 for home.

Running on not much sleep and having just executed one of my busiest days ever as a guide, I was torched, but the lingering smile that I enjoyed all the way home was powered by appreciation and gratitude for my ability to have such good fortune in this challenging vocation that is guiding people on kayaks for fishing on the open ocean.  Everything that I aim to accomplish out there with my guests isn't as much just about the kayaking and the fish as it is about living right, making connections and providing as well as receiving inspiration and love.

That's why I guide.

...

Thanks for the great report and pictures Eric 

Looks like a Great time had by all, Eric.

That is part of what this site is all about. The gatherings and good times.

Hope to get my shelter fix at the end of the month.

That's some good livins

On the wattuhs 

Sweet report Eric, very enjoyable read and I consumed every word and felt the passion you have for the sport and making connections with people.  Well done, as usual, and thanks for sharing the delicious details of your trip.