Thursday, November 28, 2013

Happy Thanksgiving

To all my friends, all the best on this special day. Happy Thanksgiving.

Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Beware the Turkey!

Wow, it did not rain since September and now it all came at once. My favorite trout stream has picked up three feet of water and is flowing at record levels. Well,  that should spread them out!  The temperature at 5AM was 59 degrees and by time I got to the boat this morning it had already dropped ten degrees as the wind shifted to the NW. I am still thinking about trying one more time but with the rapid drop in temperature this week and all the run off, I don't know if it will be worth our efforts. Oh by the way, when shopping for our holiday meal, we could not find a fresh turkey without a "basting solution" added that contained salt, sugar, and other additives. We just wanted a plain, fresh turkey like the past fifty years. After a spirited discussion with the butcher and the store manager we finally got a bird from a small local farm that came in it's own box. It's a changing world out there. Be safe and have a Happy Thanksgiving.

Sunday, November 24, 2013

A Fine Winter Day

We left the dock in a stiff NW wind that gusted to 35 knots at times. Everyone was dressed like arctic explorers and the forecast was for the breeze to diminish so off we went. We set up on the grounds and did not have a bite for the first forty minutes but when the tide changed the bite started. Shots of fish all day long, most of them making the fifteen inch mark and we sent those "Jersey Shore" keepers back and kept a bushel basket of Pioneer sized keepers 4 to 8 lbs. I made the comment that it was the first day on the bay that felt like winter. The temperature never rose during the day and there was only one other boat on the grounds (that highliner and our part time mate, Dan C.). Back at the dock we sent everyone home with fillets and were treated to a beautiful sunset as we cleaned the boat. If the weather looks nice we may try one more time.

Friday, November 22, 2013

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

It's Getting Late

Back in October, I thought it would never get cold. The month began with temperatures near ninety degrees. Now it looks like the winter cold weather forecast for this weekend will stay for a while. If anyone wants a last chance at the blackfish, Friday is the day to go.

A Nice Day in the Woods

The NW winds gusted to thirty knots on the ocean and I heard it was pretty nasty for the few boats out there. It was nice and calm at the trout streams. A nice sunny day, not too cold and two good sized rainbows and two wild brown trout to make the day even better. The weather changes fast this time of year and Friday looks nice for us to sail. Sunday is questionable right now, and I will take another look as the weekend approaches.

Monday, November 18, 2013

Full Moon Fishing

Typical full moon bite the past few days. You had to wait a long time between bites and tease the fish to the hook. Constantly changing the bait and working your sinker over the bottom paid off. Lazy fisherman didn't do as well. We are seeing some bigger fish now and less of the smaller ones. Sunday we had a basket of keepers up to eight pounds and sent everyone home with fillets.

Monday, November 11, 2013

Wind

We have been having plenty of it lately, and it seems like there's more to come this week. We picked at some bigger togs on Sunday before retreating to the dock in a full gale. When we passed Robbins Reef light on the way home the wind was west at 33 knots gusting to 42 and it was down right nasty.

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Painfully Slow

That's the only way to sum things up. Weather and tides always effect the bite, but this is shaping up to be the worst fall season we have ever had. All we can do is keep trying.

Monday, November 4, 2013

Tough Fishing

The blackfishing was starting to get interesting on the nice day we had Wednesday. Sunday we arrived on the grounds and it was cold, windy and nasty. When we finally got set up on a spot, the fish bit on the change of tide but it was hard to feel the bites with all the wind. Once the current started running hard the fish shut off and we threw in the towel, coming home early with only a few in the cooler.