Into the Bay! Thurs-Fri, May 9 and 10, 2024

A month or so ago Jimmy and I signed up to join our friends, Marlene and Cliff and son, Keith, on a halibut-fishing charter boat out of Santa Cruz, Calif.  Mmmm, who doesn't love fresh halibut?  Of course, there's a two-per-person and minimum 22" size limit, but we all hoped to catch the max.  Every RV park or state park in the Santa Cruz area was booked solid, so we opted to go a bit inland and settled on Cotillion Gardens RV Park located in the redwoods at nearby Felton.  As a plus, the weather looked promising for our sojourn along the coast.

Our site under the trees, with Marlene and Cliff next to us.

Redwoods are so magnificent.

Check out the burly base on this tree directly behind our rig.

A nice campfire in an old washtub ring (?) with wood they brought from home.  Jimmy and I usually don't have a campfire, which made this all the nicer.

This RV park abuts Henry Cowell Redwood State Park.  From our site we walked to an entrance and betook ourselves for a wander among the big trees before our friends arrived.  A perfect undertaking after a tedious four-hour drive.  Do you see Jimmy?  As long as I dodged the poison oak, our walk was just what we needed.

We discovered this 1909 trestle bridge over the San Lorenzo River, walked across it and just as we stepped off the rails on the opposite side, a maintenance choo-choo train came whizzin' 'round the bend!  Whooee!  That was fun.

At 7AM Friday morning, we met up with Cap'n Tom of F/V MEGA-BITE (yup, up real early), and boarded the second boat in on the photo below.  We were dressed in layers, expecting chill temps from the cold Pacific water.  And wind.  Always wind.

Sunny day, however!

Santa Cruz Breakwater (Walton) Lighthouse, dedicated in June 2002.

Spied a few birds:  Top left is a Brown Pelican, right are Western Grebes.  Bottom right is a group of Cormorants (unsure which kind), and bottom left is a Surf Scoter.

We motored out into Monterey Bay, always within sight of land, and came up empty-handed at a couple of spots and then BAM, fish on!  Jimmy was closest to the rod, so he managed to haul in a 30", 12-pound halibut!  Tyler, the deckhand, gaffed it.  I won't tell you what happened next, except to say it landed in the cooler, below.

Great job, Jimmy!

Thing weighed heavy on his outstretched arms!

Well, and that was it for fishing.  No more bites.  No more fish.  Not even a diversion to the rocks to reel in some rockfish.  One halibut for five people.  Lousy odds.  If you look at it another way, I can tell you we enjoyed a beautiful day on the water, warm enough to doff jackets, the bay as smooth as silk.  Also, we found a ball, basket-ball-size, floating far, far from shore, all by itself.  Maybe it was a balloon.

As we approached the jetty, the wind had kicked up enough to encourage sailboats to head for the open water.  What a pretty sight!

We remarked about how icky it would be to have a million+ dollar waterfront house with a slew of noisy Pelicans and Cormorants sitting on a stinky guano-laced rock shelf out front!  Or, maybe, who cares?

Here's the famous Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, with amusement park rides, such as the Big Dipper Roller Coaster.  This is our first trip to Santa Cruz (traffic was horrible) and I suppose we should've gone to the boardwalk, but we didn't.  Maybe next time. 

Ah, life is good when you can find a good spot to snooze.

Back at the dock at Noon, here we are!

Tyler, the deckhand, fileted Jimmy's fish and put the filets in baggies.  Four baggies for five people?  We kept one; everybody went home with a taste of halibut to come.  The captain did say when we began that it was early in the halibut season, but every day in fishing is different.  One day they catch six, next day none.  We love being on the water and enjoyed our morning, nevertheless.

Next up:  Moving south to Monterey.

Let's go fishing! Monday, 7/26/21

Dawn was a mere suggestion at 5:30 when our alarm jangled, but we were quick to hop into action.  Coffee and a fast bite.  Multiple layers was the dress for the day ... the temp on the water would be a chilly mid-50's, with a brisk wind and light fog.  We packed PB&J and granola bars for lunch, with waters and a Gatorade, and we were out the RV door by 6:15am.  Unsure how much room we'd need for the trip home with tons o' fish, we followed our friends in Smartie.

We met Cap'n Mike at 7, per schedule, on the Bodega Bay dock where "Miss Vic" was moored.  Several small boats like his were parked at the dock, with passengers lining up to go out.  The deckhand mate, Austin, joined us, making seven altogether on Miss Vic.  Mike gave us the safety talk, fired up the engine, and away we went, off on a fishing adventure. 

Others followed!  I forgot to get a pic of Miss Vic, but it probably looked like the boat, dead center, above.  You see a heavy fog on the land.

The tide was out, making much of the bay a marshy area perfect for birdlife.

Once we cleared the jetty, it was open ocean for us.  Cap'n Mike warned us that salmon fishing was fickle, sometimes they're biting, other times, nada, and asked if we wanted to go for rockfish first and then troll for salmon.  We agreed to that, so we'd at least have fish to take home in case the salmon were invisible.

We headed north and would fish in the rocks off the Russian River coast.  I really like this picture.  If you look closely, you can see a patch of blue in the center, with redwood tree tops poking through the fog.

Two deck chairs were placed behind the cabin, out of the wind, and Marlene and I sat for a while.  Watching the seabirds fly right and left as the boat sped toward them, I was struck by the ocean's complexion.  To the left (port), the ocean appeared a shiny liquid silver, yet that same water took on a dullish lead hue on the starboard (right) side.  The always mysterious ocean playing with color.

Jimmy sat in the cabin next to Cap'n Mike.  Marlene moved inside the cabin to lay her head on the table so she could close her eyes and calm her tummy.  Cliff and Keith alternately sat in the other chair or atop the fish locker.  We motored for an hour or so in fairly calm seas and that chilly breeze, within sight of the coastal cliffs to our right, to our rockfish fishing destination.  It was a slice of heaven. Austin, the deckhand, prepared the poles, chopping bait and attaching lures.  

Then it was time.  We were each given a pole with two hooks and advised how to use them.  Austin would net the fish if we pulled any up.  Okay!  I dropped my line down 70 ft or so, felt the fish hook on, and commenced reeling!  Two fish on.  Everyone was doing the same thing!  Two blacks, one black and one blue, one blue and one canary, etc.  (what?)  Within 30 or 40 minutes, the five of us caught our limit of 50 rockfish, plus two.  Who knew there were so many different kinds of rockfish?  We caught blacks, blues, a couple of canary's, gophers, and a copper.  52 of 'em, above.  Exciting!  Kept Austin busy!  Nice eating fish.

Since we had our limit of rockfish, it was time to head for deeper water, roughly six miles out.  Austin rigged four poles to troll for salmon.  I won't waste a second -- we didn't bring home any salmon, though we trolled for a couple of hours.  But what we did take home were terrific memories, of humpback whales blowing and breaching, of porpoises cavorting, leaping and playing, pelicans in formation.  Life on the sea.  Worth every penny.

Jimmy, above in his hat, watches a humpback whale off the port bow.

We ran across this guy, which the captains see every day they go out, because this boat is out every day catching eels.  Cap'n Mike and Austin had a sort of bad name for it.  Apparently it's the only eeler around, and they have a steady market with Koreans.

Aha, this stylish group is enjoying the day.  Austin, at left, in his oils, and me and Jimmy bundled up in various layers, pose while trolling for salmon.  The pole looks bent like a fish is on, but the line dragging behind the boat makes it bend.  I had a hat but didn't wear it.  Mostly I was in the shade, but the wind burned my face a bright red.

Here, fishie-fishie!

Somewhere around 1pm, it was time to head back to Bodega Bay.  I was sitting in the portside deck chair, in the shade, eyeballing land as it hove into view.  I was cold and Mike gave me a horse blanket to wrap up in, but the wind chilled me.  I had my windbreaker hood up to keep the wind off my head and face, which helped.  Mind you, I am not complaining, just tellin' ya that I used a whole bunch of energy trying to get warm.  It was all okay.  We hit a big ol' wave as I clicked the shutter, above, and caught the spray!   

Bodega Head, above, with people atop, some waving,

as we approached the jetty.

Messy critters, aren't they?

We're motoring in the bay.

You know, I don't think there was a single thing about this fishing trip that I didn't enjoy (the boat even had a proper bathroom [head] that ladies could use).  Back at the dock, it was Austin's job to haul those 52 rockfish out of the fish locker and filet them for us.  Below the fileting table, the ever-hopeful waited, harbor seals and gulls, above.

This entertainment was as much fun as all the rest.  A harbor seal (actually four of them) wanted this fish skeleton.  I dangled it above the water.  "You want it, come and get it."  The seal circled a few times, finally got brave, leaped up and BAM, it was his!  I did this a couple of times, pitching the remains to the seals -- and one big sea lion -- although Marlene claimed most of the remains for her compost pile.  Smart woman.  While her tummy was a bit off for a while, she didn't get sick, and enjoyed the day, too.

The prerequisite hold-up-your-fish photo.  Dang things were slimy.  Nobody had their names on a particular fish, we each grabbed two and held them up.  L-R, Jimmy, Keith, Marlene, Cliff, and yours truly.  El sol never did shine, but we didn't mind.  It would, however, take me hours to warm the ol' body.  But -- what a great day!

Back at the ranch (literally), we rinsed and packed our two-fifths portion of fish in five freezer bags, and then it was time for me to begin dinner.  Cap'n Mike asked if we'd be eating fish for dinner, but I replied, "No, turkey meatloaf!"  Keith had to work the next day, so he took off for home.  It would just be the four of us for turkey meatloaf, tater salad, zucchini casserole, and fresh melon, all but the melon pre-made.  We ate inside, to stay warm!

Over nine pounds of tasty rockfish!

Our eyelids grew heavy as soon as we'd finished dinner.  Our friends excused themselves and were making zzzzz's by 7:30!!  I took a half-hour nap at 7 so I could stay awake till nine!  Jimmy and I were in bed by 9pm, dead to the world.

I'd been lucky to find ONE available campsite for the next night, 20 miles or so north at Stillwater Cove.  Tomorrow morning, Marlene and Cliff would leave for home, and Jimmy and I would head to the town of Jenner, a short distance away, to try our luck at the only gas station there.  tbc

Casini Ranch Family C/G, Sun-Tues 7/25-7/27

 

A while back, and I can't recall exactly when, Jimmy and I were asked if we wanted to go ocean fishing by our farm friends, Cliff and Marlene, ostensibly for salmon.  Any time water is involved, we'll say, "sign us up!"  And so it was arranged for the four of us (in our campers) to head for the coast on Sunday, 7/25.  The fishing expedition out of Bodega Bay is on for tomorrow, Monday.

I can tell you it wasn't easy to find a place to park our rigs!  You can imagine that every campsite along the coast was booked long ago.  Finally, we found Casini Ranch Family C/G in tiny Duncan Mills had availability for our Tergel and their R-pod trailer.  But we'd pay through the nose for two nights!

I've lived in California most of my adult life and I've never seen a Yellow-billed Magpie, but here were two at the gas station where we tried to pump gas into Tergel in Sacramento.  Tried?  Yes.  We did not get an auspicious start on our trip, when Jimmy discovered that the gas he'd begun pumping was splashing onto the ground under Tergel!  Oh no!  And gas over four dollars a gallon?   Heck, we'd already paid for the fishing trip, so ... we kept going ... we had enough gas to get to the campground.  Hopefully, once there he could find the problem and jury rig a fix. 

 

Attractive ground cover at Casini Ranch.

Maybe an iceplant?

This is a large family campground, on the Russian River, complete with a pond, ducks and geese, horses, and lots of room for kids to play and ride their bikes.  It was nice and quiet at night.  Water activity on the river is a huge draw -- kayaks, SUP's and so forth, but with the drought, the water level is low and the river looked yucky.  The pond, above, didn't smell so sweet, either -- too many ducks fouling the water. 😁

After setting up, Jimmy crawled beneath Tergel for a look-see. That's when he saw the cracked hose at the hose/tank connection. He and Cliff thought a tight wrap of tinfoil followed by a wrap of duct tape around the hose might work, allowing gas to enter the tank till the hose could be replaced. Had to try it, 'cause we didn't have enough gas to get home. Fingers crossed.

Next, the four of us walked down to the river and milled about, Marlene and I admiring different plants, the guys looking around.  The egret above posed nicely.  A couple of Gadwalls were perched on a log, below.

Such a lovely afternoon; much cooler here than the inland foothills where we all live.  Clear skies, too.  We followed the river downstream. I suppose it's inevitable that we'd begin looking for flat stones to skip!  Had to hunt for them!

Jimmy gives it a try and does good.

Haha, I tried!  Same for Marlene.

Left-handed Cliff was a pro!

Marlene was serving fresh homemade veggie soup with cornbread muffins for dinner (at their picnic table).  Cliff's son, Keith, joined us.  He'd camp next to them in a tent he brought.  Tomorrow will be an early alarm.  The five of us had to be at the dock in Bodega Bay by 6:45 in the morning, and we were roughly a half hour away.  Early bedtime!

Win some/lose some -- Tues/Wed, 10/23-10/24

At Valley of the Rogue St Pk campground I awoke to a brilliant red sunrise -- uh-oh, Red Sky in the Morning, Sailor Take Warning!  Well, today is a travel day, not our fishing day, so no matter the sunrise color!  I thought the lovely sky would make for a nice little morning walk, in the opposite direction from last night's hike.  So did the others, and after breakfast we set forth.  I'm not sure, but I believe we put in about two miles worth of steps ... enjoying the scenery with each step!

Autumn hues are the best.

Marlene and Cliff.

On Hwy 199, heading southwest to Smith River, CA, the gorgeous deciduous trees were in full autumn regalia!  Dashing shades of reds, yellows, bronze, and orange, mixed with conifer greens was simply breathtaking.  

Middle branch of the Smith River.

Pretty scenery, but very low water ....

We parked Tergel on a riverfront site in Jedediah Smith St Park (within Redwood National Park).  No hookups, of course, and she won't be getting too much solar while sitting beneath the trees, but for two nights, we'll be fine.  Marlene and Cliff parked their rig on the next tier.

The river is rocky and crystal clear.  See the splash in center just in front of the shrubs?  That's a salmon!  We learned that fishing is closed on the river itself because the water level is so low; we could "go to jail" if caught trying to pull in a salmon here.  Not a problem for us, we don't have a license to fish today and we don't have fishing poles.  Tomorrow we'll have a guide and poles and a boat and our license will be good.

Jedediah Smith St Park is a scenic wonder, though many of its mighty trees are still smallish in comparison with really giant Redwoods.  We love its quiet.  And it smells fresh, earthy.

Maybe this Redwood I'm hugging isn't the largest tree in the area,

but it's a whopper!  (above and below)

... and it's next to our site.

Now for a fishy tale.  Jimmy and I set an alarm for 4:30 Wednesday morning, so we could dress, drink a cuppa coffee or two and make/pack a lunch.  We were to meet the fishing guides at 6am.  Cliff and Marlene were at the meeting place a couple of minutes before us.  They would be in one boat with Andy as their guide, and we'd be in a different boat, with Mick as our guide.  You do know that it's pitch dark at 6am, right?  A full moon was fixin' to set shortly as we made our way to the river.

The fish and game people decreed that only Smith River's estuary could be fished at this time.  That's where we are, above, and that's Cliff and Marlene in their boat.  I'll dispense with suspense and tell you we came back to Tergel with NO fish.  After the fact, we found out that this is NOT steelhead season, and the salmon were "biting yesterday" (in the rain), but they sure as heck weren't biting today.  I caught one "jack" which is a small male salmon (though he was well over a foot long), and Mick threw it back so it could "grow bigger."  Jimmy and I both had occasional bites, but lost the fish.  Seals were present, stalking us (and smirking) and scaring away the fish, which didn't help a bit.  Mick made us feel like we were totally inept, which made me feel bad.  Even if we were inept, he shouldn't have rubbed it in.

No rain, but an overcast sky was supposedly good for catching fish.

We were dressed in layers and with rain gear on, in case the sky opened up.

Those gulls were entertaining, flying in tight packs,

first here and then yonder, spiraling high.

Marlene and Cliff kept two "jacks" because they said they wanted to keep them, and they left the water about 1pm.  They made the decision to head for home that afternoon.  We stayed on the water and tried to catch a salmon, or preferably two, till 4:30, and then threw in the towel. That's one very long day of sitting in a boat to come away with nothing. All four of us were disappointed.  Mick said he wished he'd kept the one jack I caught.  Well, duh, me, too!

This is not a photo of the salmon we caught.  This is Aleutian Geese overtaking a nearby field where dairy cows graze.  I hope I didn't sulk about the ending of our grand fishing adventure, or if I did, I hope it wasn't overly long.  It's over.  Time to get on with something else.  Fun times are around the corner.  I'm ready.

On the plus side, I'll have enough one-gallon freezer bags to last my lifetime!