Hello from Tacoma

Hello, everyone.

I recently discovered this site after feeling a renewed interest in fishing.

I grew up fishing the Texas gulf coast, mostly shore, pier and wadefishing in the Galveston Bay area. (I also surfed, as much as conditions would allow.)

For most of the 1990's, I lived in the San Juan Islands, and fished heavily for rockfish, lingcod and (occasionally) salmon, out of a NW Cadence Sea Kayak. I also regularly fished the local lakes for trout and bass out of a one-man canoe.

From 2004 to 2009, I lived in Bay City, OR. I spent a lot of time surfing (as in board surfing, not surf fishing), from Newport to Manzanita, so I know a lot of the breaks, jetties and beaches in that area). I didn't fish while out on the OR coast. Much to my current disappointment, now that I look back on what a great fishing area it could have been for me. I've seen the posts on this forum coming regularly from the fellow in Garibaldi, which was one town and 3 miles from where I lived in Bay City.

I now live in north Tacoma (north slope, 98403), and have not been out of the water since moving here in 2009. Though, I did catch a lot of pink salmon along Ruston Way for a few weeks in last year's run, which whetted my appetite to fish again.

I've often thought of reacquiring a kayak for use here in Tacoma, but I live in a rather urban apartment building, with no storage, and only street parking. So, boat storage is an issue for me at the moment.

But, if anyone in the area (and I know from reading the forums that there are several of you in Tacoma) happens to have a spare boat, and would like an occasional fishing partner, even if only for a time or two, I'd been happy to share costs, but the beer / dinner, etc.

Just PM me. I'm particularly interested in starting with nearby fishing that doesn't involve a lot of driving. I love the idea of catching flounder, for example (something we didn't have a lot of in the SJI's, at least that I ever encountered). I'd also be interested in trying the local searun cutt fishery. I'm tackle agnostic..l baitcasting, spinning and fly are all good by me.

Like I said, I've got a great deal of on the water (and in the water) experience, fishing and otherwise. And even still have a nice werner paddle, paddle vest, and a full compliment of fishing gear.

I'd really just like to get back on the water, while I resolve my kayak storage dilemma.

I'll come back to this intro later and add some pics from my San Juan Island fishing days...

wadefish