Just a safety reminder and an experience WG

I am about to share an experience and I am sure everyone already knows this one real well, but I thought it doesn't hurt to share.  So last weekend at WG in the evening the water laid down real nice no wind spot forecast was nice so we headed out.  On the tandem island so had a few things in my favor that the U stabilized taker doesn't.  Directly off shot about 3/4 to mile start hooking into butts when a slight east breeze fell upon our backs.

The wind didn't feel like much but the tide was starting to head in at full speed.  I guess in is better than out, anyways we had a couple halibut on e boat when I realize hmm this winds got us drifting out a ways.  So we start for shore and the slight info recanted breeze moves to about 25kts steady with some small gusts.  The wind wave with a already well spaced 2 ft sea started to make it interesting.  Not scary but interesting.  I cheated and went for the sail and came back with pretty good ease.  My concern was for if didn't the paddling or peddling that would have to have been done might have wore me out.

I come from a background of commercial aviation I like reading forecasts and weather patterns but one should always keep your head on a swivel.  In this day it looked like the wind was gonna be a complete pain in the ass and I knew if I get close to the bluff it would die down but it's just something to think about.

Tight lines and safe floating everyone!

Open water (Nick)

By the way I apologize for ally he typos in this damn iPhone and being in a hurry makes it tough sometimes!

Thanks Nick -

Between my two powerboats (both gone now) and my kayak I have fished off WG/Ninilchik for years, and have pretty much had one challenge or another in any given season.   Your reminder about the wind is a great one, but from my own experience here are a couple more:

IF you dont have GPS on your fish finder, carry a magnetic compass.  One day the Cook Inlet Fog will rise up around you and you will have zero vis.  I think most folks will have two forms of nav aid, but I hate being reliant solely on electronics for navigation.

Dont wait too long to break for land if the wind and current begin to turn against you.   I fought the tide back to the launch one day, arrived exhausted, and ended up rolling the kayak onto the beach.  I am surprised Kardinal didnt have video of the WG yardsale action - would have been instructive!  Between the waves that kicked up and how tired I was I still dont know for sure what went wrong on my surf exit.

TRUTH! I got my ass handed to be yesterday by some nasty currents and swirly gusting winds. I made it back after having to feather my blades to their max and put my head down and charge for about 45 minutes.

TRUTH! I got my ass handed to be yesterday by some nasty currents and swirly gusting winds. I made it back after having to feather my blades to their max and put my head down and charge for about 45 minutes.

And it probably didn't help that you are nearly 9 feet tall, huh?   

Great post. In many ways I consider the summer time much more dangerous than the other seasons.

First you get complacent. Second most of us cheat and start shedding under garments and dress for air temps and not water temps. I haven't dumped it yet but I have been colder when the rain and wind hits than during anytime in the winter 

Finally on hot days the thermal winds kick in. Almost predictably when the water and air temps are different strong winds pick up from roughly 11am to 3pm ish. You have to assume they will kick up even if they don't. It also creates the fog as noted by AkRider.

TRUTH! I got my ass handed to be yesterday by some nasty currents and swirly gusting winds. I made it back after having to feather my blades to their max and put my head down and charge for about 45 minutes.

And it probably didn't help that you are nearly 9 feet tall, huh?   

Truth! It works itself though because of my <schwarzenneger voice>hulking muscles</schwarzenneger voice>