Report: Elk 2008

Bsteves and I made the trip to Cali for Elk 2008 and it was an incredible kayak fishing experience.

We left late and ended up at the Albion campground (10 miles north of Elk) at 1AM, set up the tents and went to sleep. Took about 14 hours, with stops, to get there so we ere plenty tired. Woke up the next morning to fish just outside the campground. Some yakfishers on the way in had said that it was slow so we knew we had to get smart to make anything happen. There were a lot of nice rocks surrounded with kelp that looked really fishy so made a few drifts. Nothing hit for the first 30 min. or so when B hooked up with a nice vermillion. He proceeded to hook up with a few more when I finally got my first, a gopher...  Did a few more drifts w/o the best results so moved around a bit. I dropped my jig on a new spot and whammo! Fish ON! It took a few nice runs so knew it was a ling. Pulled it to the surface to find it wasn't the biggest but a 20 sumthin' ling. Sent him back to fatten up.



Got into some fast n' furious black and blues and filled up the stringer.

Elk fishing grounds


Later we made out way to the Elk campground and were greeted by 70 other contestants! It was crazy how many people had showed up to the event. It was my first time to Elk so was blown away at how grand it really was. There was a community center w/ mini theater showing some yakfishing vids, showers outside, large campground w/ wood burning oven, cleaning station for fish and gear, and random groups of people cooking up some of the most insane grub.

The next day we headed out to fish the tourney. 9AM on the water and B leads me to the spot where he landed the monster ling of years past. On B's first drop he goes bendo and pulls up a 22" cabezon. A few drops later he pulls up a china.

Bsteves w/ a nice Cabby on.


Same as yesterday, I was next and sure I'd just snagged. As the rod loaded up the head shakes came and rod went flexo-bendo. A few good short runs and finally got a look at the bugger. Just about freaked when I saw the size and went straight to the gaff. No playin w/ this girl on the line and gaffed on the first try for a personal best rockie. 22.5" 7#11oz. Vermillion!



This verm made the Hawg Trough look silly!


That made my trip right there. The swell came up as well as the wind and stuck out some more drifts for for 5 lings. Kept one and headed in.

Ended up coming in 9th place with the verm @ weigh in with some amazing lings. There's some talented yakfishermen and they really brought it. I was kinda bummed not pulling a huge ling but finishing 9th out of about 70 was pretty cool.

That night the food really came on. Everyone got their cooking game on and brought the most insane food to a massive potluck. There was three kegs of quality beer, wine and talking story w/ good people and food was a real pleasure. The award ceremony and raffle came next and some real insane gear was given out.

If anyone has the time next year I HIGHLY recommend this tourney. The people, food, and fishing make this a tourney not to be missed in this lifetime.

Z

Nicely done.  Damn that red is a fatty!!!

-Allen

This is Ben "GuitarZan" with the winning 18 lb ling.  Notice anything about that shot and the one Z posted of me above...   I should have never left "the spot". 

My original kayak fishing partner down in California, Levi took 2nd place after driving up all the way from San Diego where he now lives.  Levi is still paddling a scrambler and I was really hoping his ling would win him that new Trident 13.  Third place went to Ed from Utah.

I had a great time and actual tournament fishing ranked probably 6th or 7th on my lists for reasons to go to Elk.

1.) See old friends
2.) Meet new friends and check out their kayaks
3.) The amazing pot luck
4.) Do some fishing
5.) The insane raffle
6.) Compete in a tournament
 
or something like that.

I had a good time carpooling with Z and we stopped and spent some time with Roy "CoosBayYakker" on the way home.  Unfortunately the winds Monday morning where a bit too much to actually get to fish with Roy like we planned.


Oh, funny little note... every year I enter the raffle and every year I win something. I usually get my money's worth.  About two years ago this year's tournament winner Guitarzan started making things to donate to the raffle.  The first year it was a "fish whaler" made from some old mahogany floor boards that looked like a whale.  The second year it was a bait tube with a crazy side door for reaching in and grabbing a bait.  I won both.  This year.. he donated some paintings including this one.



He posted the paintings on "official NCKA raffle thread" and I immediately responded with this..
http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php/topic,13843.0.html

Ben, I really like the swimbait painting, although I'm not sure my wife would let me hang it up anywhere in the house though. I really need some man-space.  Anyway, I've done pretty well on things you've donated to the raffle (fish-whaler and bait tube) so I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Brian

As you probably guessed.. I'm now looking for some "man space" to hang that painting because I won!   I couldn't contain myself.. I jumped out of my seat like a contestant on the price is right.

I also had just come within one number of winning  the grand raffle prize, a custom fishing rod worth about $400.  I think  my adrenaline spiked a bit on that one.


Brian

Way to represent guys!!

It must be nice to live somewhere with that many days of ocean accessibility......

The ocean wasn't exactly cooperating.. 5-7 ft swells and winds picking up to 20 kt winds in the late morning.  Luckily the cove makes for a decent launch/landing spot.   

For those interested in more pictures and reports from this tournament.. here is the official NCKA thread
http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php/topic,14116.0/topicseen.html

Oh, I forgot to mention.. first prize at this years tournament was the brand new Trident 13.  I should have taken some pictures but I need to report that it's one sweet looking kayak. They (Ocean Kayak) have really put a lot of thought in to the design on this one.   Everyone has already probably seen the rod pod and sonar shield as well as the scupper hole transducer mounting option but here are a couple of the little things that haven't been mentioned.

-a battery hammock in the bow.  Keeps your ff battery in place, out of the way, off the bottom, and dry.
-Retracting bow and stern handles.  I'm constantly getting my line stuck on my stern handle when trolling and these handles are connected to the bungee strap system such that they retract tight to the boat when not being used.

Now if I only had won the tournament I could be doing a real review now.  I guess that will have to wait, as I have a feeling this will be my next kayak.

Brian

Yep, good job guys. It was nice to get to meet Z and see Brian again. Too bad the conditions were not so good and it just kept getting worse through out the day. Today there was no wind at all unfortunately the swell really picked up and it got even rougher then Monday. Next time well get out there and "stroke" some fish.

Pssst!  Brian.......  Now that you're back, ummmm........  Can I get rid of the asshat? 

Congrats Z---that's a beautiful Vermillion!!  Nice story, lots of trip envy here.

Pssst!  Brian.......  Now that you're back, ummmm........  Can I get rid of the asshat? 

Sorry Spot, I thought you would have taken it down by now.  You only need where the 'asshat' for a couple days or until someone becomes more deserving.  Feel free to take it off and switch to another avatar.

BTW, any new nominees while I was gone?

Brian

Brian

I think Wali should get the asshat ... I'm not feeling bitter or anything, am I?

-Allen

I think Wali should get the asshat ... I'm not feeling bitter or anything, am I?

-Allen

Hmm, Wali does deserve something for making us all envious of his free trip of a lifetime.  Now if he starts rubbing it in.. he's getting the asshat for sure.

Brian