Lost Coast - 9/27/22

I put out a call recently to my past clients, asking for a response from anyone who wishes to go remote for bottom fishing if the forecast allowed for it.  Tom and John signed up for the call list, and I was stoked when both of them could make it for the little window of flat and windless conditions that were to materialize on Tuesday.

My guys are from Mendo, so they wouldn't have to come too far.  Both of them stayed in Fortuna the night before our trip, and Tom and I had time to grab a beer and some fish and chips at the Eel River Brewery Monday evening.  It was great to visit over a hot meal and high quality cold beers.

The three of us met up at 630AM at my place and convoyed over the Wildcat.  It was a slow go, with thick fog up on the ridge and the potholes seem worse than ever.  When I'd gotten up at six I saw that the buoy report had just less than 5' swells at 16 seconds, and they were from the SSW instead of the predicted NW.  This had me nervous, as a long period SSW can wipe out my launches south of the Cape.  It was too late to do anything but hope though, so we were all in.

After creeping through that thick fog up on the ridge it was a big relief to come down the Wall and have an easy 10 miles of viz, and that SSW swell wasn't showing up much onshore.  We were primed to find success, just as planned.

Showed the guys my different launches and landings, talked about safety measures and redundant navigation tools that can be vital to your very survival out there, and by about 8AM we were ready to get to work hauling our gear down onto the beach to prep for launch.

There's a fair amount of work involved when you're looking to beach launch, and the tide factors in for sure.  We were looking at having to haul gear over the low tide rocks, but by the time we had assembled our kits the incoming flood had made our haul a bit easier - just as planned.  We all helped each other get in position, and without incident we were launched onto a beautiful ocean with a day of fun and adventure ahead of us.

Being both Tom's and John's first time out there, I enjoyed showing them around and giving some history of the area.  By the time we dropped bait, about half way out toward the offshore reefs, we all brought up lingcod in short order.  Three keepers released at the boat boded well for our day.

Over the next several hours we caught at least 8 species of rockfish and quite a few more lingcod.  John's numbers came up, as he landed the big ling of the day.  I'd brought along a Trophy Trough of just over forty inches, so we got the big mama on there for a few photos before he released her back to her habitat.  Easily a twenty pound fish - solid 37"+.

We'd noticed a pretty good current ripping to the NW as we fished, and as high tide came it only got worse.  When we'd stop to deal with a fish it was like we were in a river - you could watch as the shoreline a mile away moved across your vision like you were on a cruise ship.  The fish often bite well in such conditions, but the work associated with keeping your position adds up and can move the bail-out time up a bit.  No worries - we had a ball out there. 

We made our way in around 130PM, timed some sets, helped each other land safely and then came the real work of hauling all the gear, the fish and the kayaks back up the hill.  Got the trucks loaded up, rolled up the road a few hundred yards to the fillet spot, got our glory shots of our very selective harvest, popped cold beers, filleted the catch, and then came the special treat of freshest fried lingcod on the planet.

After our little feast the guys enriched me with generous tips on top of the returning-client-in-good-standing guide fee for the day, and they moved off down the road toward home.  I lingered, got my gear secured on the truck, and did a double dip in the 54 degree waters along the beach at a spot where I've been fishing, diving, beach combing and basically worshipping the ocean and its creatures for about 30 years now.

The world is changing, and it's daunting to consider what's to come.  For now, I am thankful for the opportunities to continue to execute my seasonal rounds, visit my traditions and to share it all with guests who are also great friends.  I know I am very fortunate, and I thank you for the support.

...

Thank you Eric for the great report and fish porns 

Super cool hug ling catch and release.  Been a dream of mine for a long time...  Maybe I need to hire Eric to make it happen.

Super cool hug ling catch and release.  Been a dream of mine for a long time...  Maybe I need to hire Eric to make it happen.

YOLO, Bro.   

Loving the last pic. feelin' all the satisfaction.
 

Nice write up. I've ridden that road on my GS and it's amazing.

Looks like an amazing trip!

Nice CPR John! Did she feel like the bottom or hit hard and run on you.

That big rock looks like a ship!

Amazing post! Looks like it was a beautiful trip

Nice CPR John! Did she feel like the bottom or hit hard and run on you.

I’d say prolly felt more like the bottom at first as it grabbed my rockfish bait. But then it took some line away from me in a 90 degree direction of that fast (1.7+ mph according to GPS) drift. Steady resistance, took some line, but no big head shakes. We got quite a shower  from it in the net as we staged the measurement photo. Which, BTW, from my view when I got the fish and tail flat on the board eat at the 38 line.

No picture, (so it didn’t happen  ) but I was on an even bigger one a bit later on, but it broke off just after coming to color and taking another run.

Great adventure, great hosting, Eric!

Looks like an amazing trip. Thanks for sharing.

That big rock looks like a ship!

It sure does! I did a double-take a couple times from out OTW!

What a trip!  Just gorgeous photos too 🤙