Happy Birthday Mom

Salmon fishing today with Greg, Earl and Mickey, on Greg's Boat. Met up with the crew just before seven. Greg showed up and we promptly departed at seven. Beautiful sunny day. North or south? 

Greg heard reports of limits yesterday (south) off Pacifica. South we went (again). I hoped he was right. He usually is. Skipper's perogative.

The water was a bit rough but we made steady progress. After about three or four miles, Greg got excited. He saw a fleet of boats to the west of us, a bit off shore. Lots of party boats! Let's join the party.

No whales, no birds; quite a few boats. We trolled bait and apex lures between 30-50 feet. Very few nets flying. After an hour or so, the party boats headed south. We heard a report over the radio of someone catching fish off Pacifica. We followed.

Gazillions of boats off Pacifica. Looked very promising, despite the bumper to bumper traffic. We saw the Shefisher/mooch master/meditator. We trolled and trolled. Saw a net or two but not many. By now, it was past noon. We had zip, nada, skunk.

Mickey, that sandwich tasted kinda fishy

I am pretty sure Earl subtly suggested we head north. Greg begrudgingly agreed. We headed for the channel buoys, with detours on the way toward diving pelicans. 

Just when all hope was almost lost, Greg hooked and landed a nice salmon, probably 12-13 pounds. Big exhale - skunk off. 

We continued northwest. Earl brought in smaller salmon. Everyone switched to bait. We got several more bites. We released two shakers, lost a mini salmon when lines got tangled and had one drive by. 

We reached the southern edge of the bar and pulled in the lines. There was a half decent swell. Greg thought about it  for a second, but decided it was safe to cross the bar. Fairly easy ride back to gashouse cove.

No whale show this trip. No big salmon score. No skunk either. Another great day on the Pacific.

I got home (Inverness) about five p.m. We stopped by to see Jeff and Julie Wolfert at the house they rented by Chicken Ranch Beach. They are here for a week, celebrating Jeff's birthday on July 4th. I gave Jeff a fishing gaff for his birthday.

Something a true fisherman would love. [Full disclosure - I bought the gaff for myself. It was brand new and unused. Jeff complained to me yesterday that he needed a gaff because he lost a big halibut trying to net it.]

Back home, I barbecued some fresh salmon. Very simply - olive oil, salt and pepper. Soooo good.

At 7:30, we zoomed for my Mom's 86th birthday. It was wonderful and moving. Peg prepared a video (including a 2 minute piece Thomas prepared) and warm wishes from family and friends. You'll need a password (phyllis) to watch the video. Watch and weep. 

There is nothing more I can add about my mom that is not in that video. She is an amazing person and I am blessed to have her in my life. I would not be who I am without her.

Happy birthday mom!

the bear