7/13 Sunday afternoon/evening - SKUNK UPDATE

It looks like I'll be able to FINALLY get the yak out. It's been over a month.

The tides look favorable (3:40 pm low) in the afternoon/evening tomorrow and Monday. Anyone interested in a tidewater/upriver paddle? Wilson, Nestucca,...?

Jay

Well, another o-fer. By the time I got down to Tilly Bas Sunday afternoon, the wind was whipping white caps up the Trask and Tillamook. So I headed south to the Nestucca and paddled the low low water until sunset. No fish seen, no hits.

This afternoon, I decided on flat water so I headed out to Hagg Lake. I started at Ramp A and headed CCW around the lake. I drowned every type of lure I had at lots of depths, no hits. I think a FF is on the way soon. Santa? Are you out there? At least it was a nice day with few annoying PBs out there. The sun even broke through for the last 45 minutes before last call.

I need to catch a fish soon. Any plans for next Sunday afternoon? Anyone want to play hooky next Monday? I'd even do the early bird start (not my strong suit).

Jay

Unfortunately skunking is part of the game. We just gotta put that time in on the water. Good on ya for staying w/ lures and not resorting to bait. Nothing sweeter than a nice fish on a lure!

Z

Unfortunately skunking is part of the game. We just gotta put that time in on the water. Good on ya for staying w/ lures and not resorting to bait. Nothing sweeter than a nice fish on a lure!

Z

Oh I dunno ... something about mooching up a king on a plug cut herring still gets me going.

-Allen

Well, another o-fer. By the time I got down to Tilly Bas Sunday afternoon, the wind was whipping white caps up the Trask and Tillamook. So I headed south to the Nestucca and paddled the low low water until sunset. No fish seen, no hits.
Jay

I hit the Trask tidewater around 10:00AM on Sunday.  It was blowing but manageable (for the most part).  No fish for me but I did have one drive-by that gave me hope.  My 5y/o 1st mate was keeping track of depth and fish activity for me.    As we passed thru the 20 ft deep Hospital hole he called out "DADDY!  LOOK!  A big smoked salmon!  Before he'd even finished, the rod was bouncing hard.  I gave  couple of strokes and several feet of line stripped out..........then nothing.........  Oh well, it was still a nice way to spend a late morning.

Oh I dunno ... something about mooching up a king on a plug cut herring still gets me going.

-Allen

Don't get me wrong, catching a salmon is always good. But nothing quite as satisfying as putting a lure to good use and getting a fish to bite it. Kinda like fly fishing in that it's hard as hell but when you hookup it's serious payback for the struggle.

Before he'd even finished, the rod was bouncing hard.  I gave  couple of strokes and several feet of line stripped out..........then nothing.........  Oh well, it was still a nice way to spend a late morning.

Oh man I know that so well. You're trolling for a long time when the rod just comes to life. You absolutely freak and grab the rod out of the holder, drag starts zipping, rod tip's pumping, you can feel the headshakes, and then that light *pop*.... then nothing... It's funny how something so heartbreaking can make you gear up and throw it right back down again. That's it, I'm f*&king trolling tomorrow!! 

Z

Unfortunately skunking is part of the game. We just gotta put that time in on the water.

I'm learning that one as well. 3 days of fishing, and nothing to show for it other than a nifty sunburn on my knees. 2 bites, neither of which I was able to set a hook into. Great time all the same, and paddled some beautiful new waters. Watched a lot of trout get caught by others, so I know they're out there. Maybe this weekend? Only one way to find out...

Great time all the same, and paddled some beautiful new waters.

That's what I love about kayak fishing.  Getting skunked hurts less cause you still have the adventure and scenery without the noise or smell of a kicker.

I've been thinking of adding "skunk" to the list of AOTY species.   I'd be doing pretty well in the rankings then.  My attitude towards kayak fishing has always been that even if I get skunked I probably had a good paddle.

Brian