Shelter Cove - 9/1/22

John has gone out with me many times.  He and Coho Joe usually do one or two trips a year with me, and salmon is often the target.  My guys have shown up the day after a hot bite on more than one occasion.  We've brought in plenty of nice fish, but John's salmon tally was at two shakers over the years of trips.  With the bite heating up lately (finally), John hit me up for a short notice Cove run.  I had to turn him down at first, as I'm trying to pace myself and meter out my energy over the last several trips I have on the books for the summer.  Salmon closes Monday, and I really wanted to get my guy on another chance at a chromer.

I called John back and told him that we've gotta go.

Yesterday's fleet included a bunch of kayaks as well as several local boats who'd heard about the developing bite right outside the harbor.  John and I got on the water later than my usual, and things were pretty quiet, with a fish here and there coming up.  It wasn't long before I was on a hot pumper.  After a good fight I had about a 13 pounder in the net.  I was stoked, but the main focus of the trip - and of so many previous trips - was to get John on one.

I wouldn't say there was anxiety or tension in the air, but the level of hope was very, very high.  My guy was so due.  He'd done everything I asked of him for so long - years!  "Please, Salmon Gods, throw my guy a bone!"

B - O - O - M

You know how this goes.  My man had a good one hooked.  He worked it gently.  It made spirited runs.  I got in position at his bow, ready to employ the net.  It was all going well, but things can change fast in such situations. 

We'd been working a rip current line with seaweed on it when John hooked up.  Now a big mat of that vegetation was on John's line.  I paddled hard to get in a position to move the weed with my paddle, all while John's fish was still fighting hard.  There was, I admit, just a bit of tension and anxiety in the air now!

With the weed moved and John's fish still firmly hooked, another run or two and it should be ready.  John's lips curled into a smile as he and I could tell that the fish was tiring and allowing just a bit more purchase on turning it back toward John's kayak.  I was waiting next to him, one hand on my net and the other making quick and precise paddle strokes to stay positioned just right.  The fish came up, our eyes lit up as John led it toward my net, and it was done.  We had it.  We had overcome a barrier that hadn't ruled John's life or set him back in any tangible way, but it had been a thing.

John and I celebrated in that moment, and the rest of the day became an extension of that celebration.  Another fish went on the stringer a bit later, and then the bite pretty much died.  We'd accomplished our goal, and the beers that I often describe as the tastiest and coldest on the coast would be that much more satisfying at my tailgate as we processed the lauded catch and soaked in the triumph of our day.

Season's wrapping up soon, and I hope to take part in just a few more happy endings before it's over.  Thanks for following.

*Met through NCKA

Looks like you’re kicking butt.

That was a fun day for me! Thanks to Eric for helping me get my kayak salmon skunk off! We have hit it hard quite a few times, got shorts and released a number of Silvers. But, finally - my day had arrived, very thankful.

It felt kind of odd to work the moorings and vicinity for Kings, so used to going outside in my pursuit. Good to see the other NCKA folks OTW as well. Great way for me to finish the Salmon season at The Cove.

Hell yeah!  What an awesome outing and some nice salmon you guys got!  Congrats!