Pre-ORC Depoe Bay Safety/Courtesy

Hey all, 

I just thought I'd cross post a comment made on the IFISH ORC announcement thread today.  I've been talking with the poster for over 7 years and can tell you he's not some kayak hating hot-head. 

"Thanks for the heads up
If conditions allow i will launch before daylight to avoid the long delays i have experienced in prior years when kayakers tied up the launch
Saw two of your group out there today with no safety flags and with the big swell i did not see them as soon as i would have liked
They got a good ride from my wake
Yesterday a couple were prepping by my tow rig and i had to wait 20 minutes to move my trailer"

I don't know if the people whom he's talking about are NWKA members but regardless, with the ORC coming up, it's a good chance to take stock of our combined reputation.

-Mark-

Chatted with a PB'er at Holiday Sports up here a couple weeks ago while spooling my new reel.  Mentioned I was into yak fishing with prompted a rant by him about the lack of safety flags from the yakkers he sees on the water.  I said that I always fly a flag, and his response was that he wished everyone yak fishing would do the same.

To those that do not have a flag figured out as of today and plan to attend the ORC, then here is a tip.

If you don't have time or means to create a traditional whip style flag mount, the easiest way to fly a flag and be seen amongst the swells is to just clip a bright orange or red flag or even a handkerchief to the top eye of your spare rod (that is standing up obviously). 

If you only fish with one rod, and don't have a whip then go visit your local Goodwill and pick up a cheap used fishing rod for a few bucks.  Attach your flag to that and stick it in an upright rod holder and be done with it.

It is simple enough to do. 

Last year I forgot safety flags for myself and 2 newbies.  I fixed that by buying a bright red plastic tablecloth at the Chinook Bend store and tying strips to backup rods.  Amazingly, this worked even better than the standard penant.  I was able to pick out my buddies from a lot father away.

-Spot-

Addressing the original post: I don't know what day "today" is, but there were 2 kayakers without safety flags out Saturday. Neither of them were fishing, and neither of them were NWKA folks. I don't even think they had radios. I was the only fishing kayak I saw (or heard on the radio) Saturday, with a nice bright flag of course.

As for the "tow rig" why didn't he just ask them to move? I don't get it. I was prepping in my parking spot and a PB guy came up to back out and I asked if he'd like more room and he nodded so I immediately wheeled my boat out of his way. It's not that big of a deal.

Come to think of it he said "a couple" so if he was referring to us I can assure you I wasn't in anyone's way and I made sure to be respectful of other people's space.

Addressing the original post: I don't know what day "today" is, but there were 2 kayakers without safety flags out Saturday. Neither of them were fishing, and neither of them were NWKA folks. I don't even think they had radios. I was the only fishing kayak I saw (or heard on the radio) Saturday, with a nice bright flag of course.

As for the "tow rig" why didn't he just ask them to move? I don't get it. I was prepping in my parking spot and a PB guy came up to back out and I asked if he'd like more room and he nodded so I immediately wheeled my boat out of his way. It's not that big of a deal.

Come to think of it he said "a couple" so if he was referring to us I can assure you I wasn't in anyone's way and I made sure to be respectful of other people's space.

Redbeard what time were you out there? Word is it was zoo Saturday with PB tow rigs parked down 101 for atleaset a mile or so......something to think about for Saturday morning's launch....

Addressing the original post: I don't know what day "today" is, but there were 2 kayakers without safety flags out Saturday. Neither of them were fishing, and neither of them were NWKA folks. I don't even think they had radios. I was the only fishing kayak I saw (or heard on the radio) Saturday, with a nice bright flag of course.

As for the "tow rig" why didn't he just ask them to move? I don't get it. I was prepping in my parking spot and a PB guy came up to back out and I asked if he'd like more room and he nodded so I immediately wheeled my boat out of his way. It's not that big of a deal.

Come to think of it he said "a couple" so if he was referring to us I can assure you I wasn't in anyone's way and I made sure to be respectful of other people's space.

Redbeard what time were you out there? Word is it was zoo Saturday with PB tow rigs parked down 101 for atleaset a mile or so......something to think about for Saturday morning's launch....

Good news is that it's not an all-depth halibut day on the 12th.  That should reduce the traffic a bit.

The tuna traffic should be picking up as catches are being reported on BD.

Addressing the original post: I don't know what day "today" is, but there were 2 kayakers without safety flags out Saturday. Neither of them were fishing, and neither of them were NWKA folks. I don't even think they had radios. I was the only fishing kayak I saw (or heard on the radio) Saturday, with a nice bright flag of course.

As for the "tow rig" why didn't he just ask them to move? I don't get it. I was prepping in my parking spot and a PB guy came up to back out and I asked if he'd like more room and he nodded so I immediately wheeled my boat out of his way. It's not that big of a deal.

Come to think of it he said "a couple" so if he was referring to us I can assure you I wasn't in anyone's way and I made sure to be respectful of other people's space.

Redbeard what time were you out there? Word is it was zoo Saturday with PB tow rigs parked down 101 for atleaset a mile or so......something to think about for Saturday morning's launch....

We got there mid-morning. And yes, there were rec boat trailers parked all up and down the road down to the ramp, all up and down 101, etc. It was pretty crazy. I figured it would be bad with halibut on but I didn't think it would be that bad. We actually got a parking spot in the first row due to my wife's incredible luck with getting parking spots. It's uncanny.

Addressing the original post: I don't know what day "today" is, but there were 2 kayakers without safety flags out Saturday. Neither of them were fishing, and neither of them were NWKA folks. I don't even think they had radios. I was the only fishing kayak I saw (or heard on the radio) Saturday, with a nice bright flag of course.

As for the "tow rig" why didn't he just ask them to move? I don't get it. I was prepping in my parking spot and a PB guy came up to back out and I asked if he'd like more room and he nodded so I immediately wheeled my boat out of his way. It's not that big of a deal.

Come to think of it he said "a couple" so if he was referring to us I can assure you I wasn't in anyone's way and I made sure to be respectful of other people's space.

Hank was talking about Sunday in his post.

-Spot-

What is it with boats up there almost demanding flags on kayaks?  While I support the notion, sometimes I just don't get it.  Down here in CA,  pretty much no one uses flags.  And I've never heard a single complaint from the power boaters.  I mean, when you're running on a boat, you're scanning for logs, kelp, and other debris.  Don't tell me you can't see my bright yellow kayak.

-Allen

+1
When I ran my boat I was always looking for debris like crab bouys which are much smaller than a kayak.

What is it with boats up there almost demanding flags on kayaks?  While I support the notion, sometimes I just don't get it.  Down here in CA,  pretty much no one uses flags.  And I've never heard a single complaint from the power boaters.  I mean, when you're running on a boat, you're scanning for logs, kelp, and other debris.  Don't tell me you can't see my bright yellow kayak.

-Allen

The difference is that we get swell up here. 

Even thought that was meant as a quip, there's a lot of truth to it. Oregon gets a lot more swell and wind waves than our brothers down south. 

-Spot-

What is it with boats up there almost demanding flags on kayaks?  While I support the notion, sometimes I just don't get it.  Down here in CA,  pretty much no one uses flags.  And I've never heard a single complaint from the power boaters.  I mean, when you're running on a boat, you're scanning for logs, kelp, and other debris.  Don't tell me you can't see my bright yellow kayak.

-Allen

The difference is that we get swell up here. 

-Spot-

You are swell Mark.

-Allen

It's not much different than Humboldt tho, and I guess we are just spoiled because we have a good relationship with our power boating brothers. They look for us and let us know if they are having trouble seeing us.

That said I usually fly a flag and almost always wear a bright orange hat.