AOTY-Can this also stand for "Accidently Out of the Yak"

Fishnut and I deceded It would be great day for sturgeon fishing, and it was, right up until the wind started up just after Rich had cast out his line. The anchor was drifting we were hooked up & my yak started to ride up the anchor line and so I took a swim. Luckily ,in my new birthday suit (by Kokatat. &Yes, it was a good idea to go with a layex neck gasket.) I have taken a swim the two times I have been able to get out (due to health Problems) so I was just wondering about a new category.

This one I might have a shot at!

The new category sounds interesting...but only if Wali is a judge, not a participant!!!

Did you catch any dinos?

Not only did we not catch any dino's, I lost my pole when I grabbed for the yak, and Rich had to cut his 50lb line to keep his pole from breaking! That's when the wind really started getting too serious and  we went in, against tide and wind, an exhausting paddle.

I've decided that if I even hook Rich(it's been close) that he counts as a fish, or maybe that should be the other way around, since I spend so much time in the water, instead of on top of it.

50lb line? 

Wow! Glad to hear you survived the incident with only a lost pole. Even losing a pole sucks.  Sounds like it happened pretty quickly. Were you both anchored up to the same anchor? Hard to tell from your post. If so, I'd go with individual anchors from now on. In current and wind, it might be better to spread out a bit.

Here's something that might help you plan around high wind conditions better:
I usually check the hour-by-hour point forecast for the location I'm fishing. On the NOAA weather site, click on the map to get the "point forecast" for the area you want to fish. Then scroll down to the box labeled "additional forecasts and information" and click on "hourly weather graphs" and you will get a graph of the weather conditions forecast for the next five days, broken down hour by hour, for wind, precip, temp, etc.  I've found these to be fairly accurate for 2 or 3 days out.

For example, a certain lake I go to gets blown out easily and is no fun to be on the water when the wind is up. I always use the "hourly weather graphs" forecast before I head up there.
I don't go when the wind or rain is forecast to be too gnarly.

Anyhow, glad to hear you survived OK!

Here's the true story of a day that will go down in infamy know as "The Cluster !!%*". Had a great day of Dino fishing at my secret spot on Friday. Have to take advantage of my leave of absence taking
"care of " Yakchik(only a few days left). Landed 3,unfortunately all 3
were foul hooked and broke off 3 . As for now using 50lb test, I was using 25lb mono and it's just not strong enough for some of these brutes. Now using 50 lb Power Pro w/diameter of 12lb test main line/ 80lb test Dacron leader 5/0 hook.
  Now, back to the Cluster. Launched from the Everett boat launch figuring it was a shorter distance to Priest Point. Maybe, but WRONG
today. Fought the outgoing tide in the Snoho and Yakchik was way behind paddling while I was in cruise pedaling. By the time we got near to where we were to fish,time was of the essence(we needed to be back at a certain time). Knew we would'nt make it back to Everett
in time. Called a friend a pulled a favor to pick us up at Ebey launch and then drive one of us back to the car to get the yaks. So far, so good. Then things turned to feces. We DID anchor up and rafted together(now learned from experience not to do)and threw out the bait
with 6 oz weight. Tide was ripping(11-12ft drop). Next, let the games begin. Yakchik was in the water testing her new birthday suit and could'nt do the self rescue. I cut my line, freed the anchor and towed her to a sandbar. Lost was one Shimano Trident 200 reel, rod and 300
yards of 1 day old Power Pro line,& Yakchik's dignity. Saved: 1 Wife.
  Then the wind came from out of nowhere and it was pure hell getting
back for our shuttle ride in time. Both of us were fried!
  Question. Do women over the age of 50 tend to lose all sense of balance, or do I just happen to have a very special love? Could be that she still in recovery mode from weeks of hospitalization but does this account for her capsizing last Sept during Humpie fishing?One thing.She's a trooper

...  Question. Do women over the age of 50 tend to lose all sense of balance, or do I just happen to have a very special love? Could be that she still in recovery mode from weeks of hospitalization but does this account for her capsizing last Sept during Humpie fishing?One thing.She's a trooper

You are a brave, though foolhardy man.

Demonick. Are you questioning my sanity? I'm actually very safe and take all precautions althogh I'm still learning and some is by trial and error. Fool me once and that's it. Lesson learned and duly noted.

Here it comes... You knew someone was gonna say it... So here we go! Practice self rescue with any new kayak first. Do it until it's second nature. Double check tides and wx conditions. Have a VHF on your PFD. And when in doubt don't push it. You guys are a great new addition to NWKA and I wanna keep it that way. Be safe out there and feel free to fire away w/ any questions.

Z

Just to set the record straight, we carry VHF radios, we checked weather & tide conditions before we left that morning. I have always been able to self rescue, but obviously my illness sapped my strength more than I realized.

Also things can look good on paper & the forecast can change on a dime, as we live in the middle of the convergence zone.

That said, I am also very (stubborn)sweetly persistant, and if Rich wanted to go fishing then I WAS GOING TOO. OK so I went swimming instead, but I have been a nurse over 30 years and don't panic to easily. I just get up &  put one foot in front of the other or paddle as the case may be)

Thanks Zee we want to hang around longer too.

Practice self rescue with any new kayak first. Do it until it's second nature.
Z

Hmmmm, seems I've heard that somewhere before,,,,,,,,

http://www.northwestkayakanglers.com/index.php/topic,2683.0.html

Oh, that's right I said it! 

Glad you were dressed for the occasion and all was good!!

Sounds like those were some BIG conditions for the second time out though.


BTW: I checked with the judges and they have determined that there will be no AOTY points awarded for catching your spouse. Sorry

Demonick. Are you questioning my sanity? I'm actually very safe and take all precautions althogh I'm still learning and some is by trial and error. Fool me once and that's it. Lesson learned and duly noted.

Dude!! You completely misconstrued my comment.  So did everyone else.  It had NOTHING to do with kayak safety.  It had to do with dissing your wife in a public forum in a thread she started!   Nothing you would do on a yak could be that dangerous.  You are a brave and foolhardy man.

 Question. Do women over the age of 50 tend to lose all sense of balance, or do I just happen to have a very special love? Could be that she still in recovery mode from weeks of hospitalization but does this account for her capsizing last Sept during Humpie fishing?One thing.She's a trooper

I, on the other hand, can bitch about menopause without any fear of reprisal

OK guys let's stop the personal attacks.
Thanks,

Z

OK guys let's stop the personal attacks.

Do I need more smileys? 
I hope everyone knows I have just been joking/razzing fishnut and yakchik.