June 8, Deception Pass with The Riddler

We could just meet at the Bridge...  There is a parking lot on your right just as you cross onto Whidbey Island.  This would allow us to scope out the conditions in the Pass before commiting to a launch location.  You can see most of the possible fishing locations from there.  We would also be only a mile or two from both launch locations.  Just a suggestion and I'm sure open to any y'all might have.  Now that Allen is back from the Derby, maybe we could zero in on a time.

Allen, I found your info on the New Prowler Big Game right after I posted the question.  Thanks!  Looks like you guys got into some nice rockfish and ling this weekend.  I used to use a white and red "Mirro Lure" for those schooling Black Rockfish. Just like this one:  http://tackledirect.com/mirrolure52mr.html

We'd just cast into the boil and twitch it back in.  Looks like you did just fine with what you had though.

If you're still there Jeff, I got your phone numbers and will give you a call if you need directions etc.

Gary 

So...who all is going to be at DP this Thursday and when are you planning on meeting at the parking lot?

Just getting lures ready now. I made up some Jigs with shrimp flies from 1oz to 3 1/4oz.

I will meet anywhere. If we can mapquest something ahead of time I can print out before I leave early on Tuesday morning or print out written directions from Hampton Inn in Bellingham.

Here is what I found using mapquest.  Looks right to me, but I never pay attention to the signs as I've been driving here so long.  Follow the map and watch the signs and you can't go too far wrong.  The Bridge is really two bridges spanning Fidalgo Island to Pass Island and the main Brodge from Pass Island over to Whidbey.  Pass Island is just small rock in the middle and the parking lot is an immediate right after you cross onto Whidbey.  If Allen gets back to us today abut the time, we can nail that down.  He has to drive the farthest.  I'm only about 15 minutes from the Bridge and can be waiting in the parking lot for ya. 

Hey Markharman,  are you interested in joining us? 

Here is the mapquest info:  http://www.mapquest.com/directions/main.adp?do=nw&go=1&r=f&aoh=&aot=&aof=&1a=3985%20Bennett%20Dr&1c=Bellingham&1s=WA&1z=98225&1y=US&1l=E5TyIdRDcew%3d&1g=x4Izh%2fPi8qLiMJa3KqMC6w%3d%3d&1pn=Hampton%20Inn&1pl=360%2d676%2d7700&1v=ADDRESS&1ffi=1&1n=&1qn=Hampton%20Inn&2a=&2c=&2s=WA&2z=&2y=US&2l=FRCDNs1jhZE%3d&2g=hjJgkqFlcuOF%2b4MLql9M6g%3d%3d&2pl=&2v=STATE&2ffi=&2n=&2qn=Deception%20Pass%20Bridge&panelbtn=2&1qc=Hotels&q=Hampton%20Inn&2pn=Deception%20Pass%20Bridge&2sb=Deception%20Pass%7c%7c%7cWA%7c%7c484058%7c%2d1226449%7c%7cUS&2qc=Channel

Gary

Yup, Mark told me he might be interested.

So ... what time you boys want to get there?  I'll be there whenever you want.  You know my time constraints to get back to Seattle.

-Allen

Anyone care to meet me in the parking lot by the bridge at 6:30 ?  Earlier??? Later???  I'm game.  What do you guys want to do?

Gary

I am still not 100% sure that I can swing the trip but I'd vote for meeting at 5:30 AM. It is plenty light enough at that point to check out the Pass and make the call which launch spot to use.

But...I am not the person "driving" this trip and, in view of my "non-commital commitment" my opinion should carry little if any weight!

I have my wife's blessing  to join you guys I just have to convince my boss  to let me come in several hours late.

The slack is right at 8:30.  Gary, are their any places that are less affected by the currents.  Even if we got there early, unless we were able to fish these areas, we'd just be floating around.  Or how is it in the kelp to fish for bait (greenling!!!) during the higher flows?

-Allen

The earlier we are Allen, the better a Bowman Bay launch looks.  There is just much more fishable water in the lee of Fidalgo Island than there will be with a Cornet Bay launch.  We can fish for ling and greenling in the kelp beds on both sides of Bowman when the tide is running.  The Pass itself will be like being inside a washing machine any earlier than 7:20 or so.  I make the slack at 8:03 PDT on the chart and we can fish the Pass area half an hour or so either side of that.  If we launch at Bowman we just have to make sure we can get back around Lighthouse Point before the flood tide makes it impossible.

I know you have some white water experience and I've been through there in all kinds of boats at least 1000 times.  I don't know everyone elses comfort level so I'd recommend Bowman.  If you want some time to collect bait, then figure a 30 to 40 minute paddle around Lighthouse point to the Pass.  Whaddya think?  The meet at the parking lot on the whidbey side is just so folks who haven't been here before can see the area we will be fishing and scope out the conditions.  Not really necessary if we decide in advance on launching at Bowman.

Gary

The earlier the better for me. I can meet at anytime. Heck I will probally be there at first light.

I am pretty sure the Hamtpon Inn has no internet access. I just talked to Allen on the phone.  If there are any changes, please give me a call.

Here is my info:

Jeff Lopez

617-448-5653

Call the Hampton Inn for my room #, if I am not there leave a message. I will return.

See you in Washington guys. Look forward to it!

OK.  Let's go early.  5:30AM.  I'm going to hate myself for saying that as I get into town late the evening before and was  up at 4 this morning to get down to San Jose after a long weekend fishing.  Let's still meet at the bridge lot and have a peek.  I don't mind not going through the pass as I'll be on a new-to-me Prowler 15.  After paddling big, wide boats for the past 3 years, I don't want to make the transition on a day going through the pass.  Call me a wimp.

-Allen

Thanks again guys for everything including the Map Quest Directions to the pass!

I call it good judgement Allen.  I was trying to steer y'all that way    At 5kts. you can get sideways and backwards really easy out there.  I don't really want to try and catch up to my boat or rescue somebody else under those conditions.  Part of the bridge routine was to let you hear the roar and see the whirlpools and boils for yourselves.  I know you would opt for an outside launch.  It always looks much milder from up on the bridge or in a photo than at water level.

See you aat 5:30 AM on the Bridge.  I'll be the Silver Nissan Frontier with the Yellow Prowler parked on the whidbey side....

Gary

Sounds good guys! 530 am unless it changes. Allan you can stay with me at the Hampton Inn the night before if you wish. Let me know and I will get a double room.

Thanks Jeff, but that would double my drive time as you are in the other direction.  5:30 on the bridge it is.  See you all there.

-Allen