Moutcha Bay Resort 2006 Kayak Fishing Derby, Sept 2-4

P.S.,

That fish in Snag's post above was surely way, WAY bigger than it looks in that picture.  What the heck is wrong with that guys camera any way?   

Fishin-T

Dam Tom due you ever work? Just kidding. I am glad you guys had fun and caught fish. So tell me what you guys were using on the salmon, plugs, spinners, spoons, bait what. And how long did it take you to get there from your house to the time you pulled into camp. I have a buddy of mine that wants to do another Alsaka trip next year for his 40th. I may suggest doing this trip instead. it looks awesome. Glad you guys are back safe. So fill us in on the good camp stories. and how much fish did you bring home.

Alright then
FC

OK everybody.  I am not sure about you but, the wife and I are back on beautiful Bainbridge Island, rested up, back at work but still, that stupid grin remains on my face!   

You know the one- camping in an amazing location kilometers from anywhere, easy-going folks everywhere, fishing in my kayak all day for an entire weekend, hanging out with a bunch of fools crazy enough to catch big salmon in a little boat.  Getting my wife totally hooked on fishing (hehehe built-in fishing buddy)  That grin.  Makes the everyday biz seem that much easier to manage.  Now that is what I call a great vacation!

Carolyn is already making plans to head back for next year.  We may stay the whole week and do a little exploring and kayak camping as well as the fishing extravaganza.  I mean, the paddling conditions could not be sweeter, the area is so pristine and quiet.  Who wouldn't want to poke around a bit?

While I do not have a whole lot to post, I did want to say what a great time we had meeting all of you. 
Oh, and a couple of photos...  Well, nevermind, I need to figure out how to post 'em.  I will get them to you later.

Cheers!

Zed

Hey Zed welcome, you must be the one Tom was talking about. Good times, good times. Glad to hear that fun was had by all. I hope to make that one next year too, I hope and pray. Tell me how long did it take you to get there from Bainbridge.

FC

Howdy all Just got home, and Ya quite a fantastic time. Welcome Zed and significant other, the tournament should have been yours just for the shear determination that both of you posses Will post pictures later when I get some rest and figure out how.

Big thanks to Fishn-T for picking me up @ the airport and driving us up there, and to Polepole for the kayak and gear, uhh, will get back to ya on the net A tyee monster bent it in two like it was butter!!!  You will be able to see the deed on video when Moutcha Jim gets it posted up. I did get the Northwestkayakanglers web site in the television interview I did though, if it's any consulation "Eh" Again BIG THANKS to both of you, you really showed what this sport and the people in it are all about.  Oh, and great meeting you too Snag- a- butt, nice Guitar playing Boss!.

And Ya I did win a prize for most "technally advanced kayak"., while it was not my kayak, my Hobie back home does have fins and a depth finder Does that count ....final total: 7or8 landed, 3 let go, 1 break off with best lure.. a 6" black/gold/silver dart...Talk to ya all soon....Danglin

FC

It is about 2 hours to Port Angeles from my house.  We are supposed to be at the Blackball terminal 1.5 hours in advance of sailing.  It is a 1.5 hour trip across the strait to beautiful Victoria.  Then, from there it is about 5 - 5.5 hours to Moutcha Bay.  If you stop for food or to pick up the stuff you forgot at home...
Definitely commit a full day to the trip.  But, if you catch an early boat from PA, you can get in for the evening bite.  Very nice way to arrive at fish camp! 

As for Danglin's comment, I think it would be better to be determined with a better selection of jigs.  Yep.  Would hopefully have a better catch rate for the time put in!  Either way it was a ton of fun!

Zed

Right on!  Sounds like you all had a most excellent time.  More pics please!!!

-Allen

OK Guys,  where are the "more pictures" that were promised?     We want more fish porn!!!!

-Allen

Hello PolePole,
 Thanks again for making it possible to have such an excelent time and again thanks to Fishn-T for getting all those logistics together, talk to ya soon.

Pictures I've got some great ones, but I am lame on this computer, working on it

Moutcha Jim sould be posting some great video soon as well as a DVD of the event with alot of kayak surfing on the nooka sound

I hope he was able to get the tv news interview too, I was able to get the Northwest kayak anglers web site more than a few times

Just got back from San Diego, Bum rushed the event and glad I did, I think it was 180+ kayaks out there,

only downer was fishing was slow with only a dozen or so caught, great event, and Jim, his family and a great number of sponsors there really made the event a success

I stayed a day longer tring my best to get a yellow tail, but no love

But, oh my god the scenery , I think it was the longest it ever took me to rig mk yak...Danglin

Just recieved an email from Moutcha Jim and he says that he will be mailing out cd's when he gets back into town. I guess that means Campbell River within the next week.

I don't have many pix but heres another of Danglin, anglin.

Hey, I did net a couple nice ones too      I wouldn't lie to you fella's

Nice fish Sean.  Did you catch those too?  Or just net them?   

The one in your right hand looks brighter than most of the others I've seen pictures of.  How was the meat on the fish you all caught?  Since these were all still in the salt, I'm guessing the meat was just fine, but I'm still curious.

-Allen

The one in your right hand looks brighter than most of the others I've seen pictures of.  How was the meat on the fish you all caught?  Since these were all still in the salt, I'm guessing the meat was just fine, but I'm still curious.

I was curious about the darkness of the fish, too.  I see brighter fish, here on the Columbia, 450 miles from the salt.

Hey guys,

Yeah, I don't know the mechanics of what brings on the metamorphisis, but you're exactly right... almost ALL of those fish were extremely dark.  Moutcha Jim said that it starts to happen once they get to the bay and that this years fish arrived early and had been there for at least a week waiting for rain.  He also said that it wouldn't effect the quality of the meat, even though thier scales had started to turn to slime and they smelled really funky when they first came out of the water.

I personally dealt with a total of 3 of them at my house; grilled 1 and smoked 2.  To start with, for the trip home we only gutted and cut off the heads, then put each in it's own plastic bag and into the coolers.  At the time that I took them out of the cooler to finish the cutting chores they didn't smell funky at all and all of the slime was easy to wash off.  When I cooked them up, whether smoked or grilled, the meat started out at a color somewhere between white and dark chicken meat (pardon the near cliche'), and cooked up closer to looking like white chicken meat.  When it was raw, it looked a little dry oil-wise, but seemed to have plenty of oil when cooked.  The flavor was different than most kings (chinook) that I've had before and tasted most like what I was told was a white fleshed salmon that I once caught and cooked before.  Again, a near cliche'... it tasted a lot like somewhere between white and dark chicken flesh but all of it moist and juicy like the dark chicken meat and with that slight hint of fish flavor too.  Maybe even leaning towards the flavor of a freshwater trout.  In short, to me it was great!  I'd go back for more of that any time. 

Fishin-T

Hey Everybody,

Moutcha Jim has posted some pictures on the moutcha bay kayak derby site....Danglin