2010 » January » 5

Winter Fishing

January 5th, 2010


It was a bit of a go go go trip to Hawaii with the family over the holidays but I did manage to make it out and wet a line. Unfortunately due to an electronic malfunction I am unable to bring you any footage from my hours fly fishing on OahuI will save that story for another day when I have time to get into more detail. But I will say it was highlighted by 2 bones one brought to hand and the other striped me to the knot between my backing and reel of my 8wt. That is a hold your breath moment

On Kona I found it a bit harder to find fly water. Still with the desire to wet a line I jumped at the chance to get on a chartered boat. While it is the off season in those parts for Marlin that didn’t stop us from giving it a go as some of the bigger fish are around all year.

This was the lure to start us off…..

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Then we made our way to find some live bait

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I would have been satisfied just catching the Ahi (yellow fin Tuna). But Captain Bill had other things in mind. After we got a few fish on board, often times two at a time, we went looking for something bigger. At this point you are never realy sure what will bite but that is the nice thing about a being on the 40 foot Hokulia. While you wait you are treated to good food a freezer full beverages and good story with the captain and his crew member Kerry either up on deck with the wind in your face or in the air conditioned cabin when you want out of the sun.

And we all know when you finally let yourself stop anticipating the strike – it hits – and “fish on” is sung out by all. It only took seconds to slide into the chair and click in the rod and instantly feel the pull of a 43 pound bull Mahi Mahi – (dolfinfish) or in Mexico called ‘dorado’……..The fight lasted less then 10 minutes but when I replay it back it seams like much longer

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The fish in water is an amazing green and blue and only when taken out of the salt does it start to darken. This was not the only Mahi Mahi that we would hook but it was the only one that made it on board. A big thanks goes out to The Captain of the Hokulia, Bill and his deck hand Kerry. They provided a class act fishing experience.

Stay tuned for a short video to fallow. You don’t want to miss Me, Meskel, struggling with a reel in my hand and the handle on the (wrong) right side.

Che on the Spey AKA Meskel

Posted in Fish Reports | 5 Comments »

New 2010 Boater fees to fund aquatic invasive species

January 5th, 2010


For those of us who run drift boats, or any “paddle craft” get ready.  We are now going to have to purchase permits to run any rivers.  This is what has been posted on ODFW.

Oregon boaters will soon be on the front lines of a war against aquatic invasive species. Beginning Jan. 1, 2010, operators of manually powered boats (paddle craft) 10 feet or longer and all registered boats (power and sail) and are required by a new law to purchase an Aquatic Invasive Species Permit to fund prevention and control programs. 

The environmental protection law, created by the 2009 Oregon Legislature, is designed to protect Oregon’s waters from destructive invaders including the quagga and zebra mussels that are rapidly spreading across the nation degrading water quality, depleting native fish and waterfowl populations and costing millions of dollars in maintenance of water and power facilities. The new program will be implemented by the Oregon State Marine Board and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.

New Fees

Registered boaters will pay an automatic $5 surcharge as part of their boater registration. Out-of-state motorboat operators need to purchase an annual permit for $22 ($20 permit plus $2 agent fee) through ODFW license agents, ODFW offices that sell licenses and on the ODFW Web site. Out-of-state permits will not be sold through boat registration agents or the Oregon State Marine Board.

Non-motorized boat operators (canoes, kayaks, sailboats, drift boats, etc.) will need to purchase and carry an annual permit. Permits can be purchased starting Dec.1 at ODFW license agents, ODFW offices that sell licenses and on the ODFW Web site for a cost of $7 ($5 permit plus $2 agent fee). Permits are required for both residents and nonresidents and are transferable to other non-motorized craft, but every vessel on the water must have a permit.

Guides, outfitters, livery operations and boating clubs should purchase their permits directly from the Oregon State Marine Board.

The Oregon State Marine Board and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife are implementing the new Aquatic Invasive Species Program, which will include education outreach, voluntary boat inspections and decontamination of infected boats to stop the introduction and spread of aquatic invasive species.

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Bang! The Steelhead Stomp

January 5th, 2010



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By The Big Bear Man

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Hey Brother, what a freakin awsome day. The water is back Down around perfect clarity was good and the fish were stacked from end to end and in all of the hole I saw and spoke to people in. John smoked today, when I arrived just before 8 he had one on and had released two already, I helped him land that beauty of a hen. He then payed me back by handing me the bait he caught his with and bang 4th cast the little chrome rocket hen took it. Then a couple more guys joined the fray and were into them before their fifth casts.

I don’t this you could’ve waded out there and not stepped on a dozen or so fish. It never slowed down in the four hours I was there. I had four more on in the next two hours and did more talking and watching others land fish than I did have line in the water. I picked up the blushing hen on EZ Eggs, I swear they need to start paying me for this sh*t. I used my sparkel rag to upper jaw her with the same EZ Eggs I started the day with.

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All in all I have never seen a day like today. Like I said in a previous post I was in a drought with nothing landed for a few trips….. well that all changed today. I hope this keeps up because I will be there tomorrow after work. I even got to try out the new gutting station and that was nice, fish stick to the board and and it is solid for trimming the bits. Till the next time, tight lines…

Posted in Fish Reports | 11 Comments »