Wali's Last Trip

No, I've not been diagnosed with some terminal madness (yet). I mean as in a summary of the last week.
 
Boyz (and Squidgirl), I had more fun in wet pants in the last 7 days than in most of the 9 or so years I was in Oregon.
The Alder Creek paddle day was a blast! I went out to hang for an hour or two, but forgot to leave. There was a ton of interest in Jeff, Gary, Brian, Marlyn, and Mark's rigs and I finally got to meet "he who should not be named" ; Turns out that Jason is not bad people at all and I got some excellent  rescue tips and techniques from him during his paddle demo's.

Got out Sunday with a minimum of damhik's and fished (for a minute) with the new PDX guard Rawkfish, Gon fshn, and Noah, as well as the interloping Washingtonians SquidGirl and Crazyeyes. AND I actually saw the legendary Spot of Time fish.  Didn't get out again till Friday evening when Jammer proceeded to put on the best springer clinic EVER. He said "put this on like this, make sure it spins like that, now fish it here like this, reel in, net, then bonk".
 


I watched the demonstration in awe, but I didn't follow his instructions exactly as I'm posing with HIS FISH.
Undaunted, I went back the next morning (tempting fate as I had a 12 o'clock plane to catch) rigged up as he instructed, set it out 13 pulls, then got the only kayak take down of the day trolling across the W to the shelf.  The rod dipped and dug in and I told Spot that it was just caught on a rock (in 90+ feet of water with maybe 40' of line out) Mark said he didn't think so and next time to just paddle away from it till it starts taking drag.
Sage advice.

Made a couple of passes over the ridges and got hung solid on some real rocks (40' of line and 22' of water) and heard myself saying something like "I can break-off 50lbs powerpro, You just have to..." and could not for the life of me break that dang #30 mono. Finally had to wrap myself around a cable that was staying a dock and pulled it loose by straightening the hook. At least I got my rig back.

 I didn't catch shit (although I farmed a good take down), lost yet another rig (don't ask), and damn near missed my plane, but this trip left me feeling all warm inside from all the offers of loaner gear and boats and  to see soooo many kayaks with lines out behind them AND bonking fish! (it was that or the central heat inside my waders)
My only regret was being too lazy to get out bed for more morning sessions and too tired for more evening sessions after the days of pink insulation hell.   In any event, once again I feel like I've left the Great Pacific Northwest in good hands.

Great report!  Man that is a nice fish.  And I used to be an Alaska fishing semi-snob.  Those fish are every bit as nice as the ones we see here!

You should have iced that cake by joining me in The Bucket for Petite Sirah and his lovely compatriot Nyquil. The only thing I caught was a buzz and a headcold. But someday I wanna have a drink with Wali and talk about his inventions...

Its always a honor to hang out with all the great people of NWKA. and when you get to hang out with Wali when hes in town is priceless..

It was fun filled weekend wali. glad you had a good time while you were here.. hurry back.


SG

Finally!  After all these years, I finally got to fish with FishesFromTupperware! 

Wali it was a pleasure hanging out with you.  Let me say you're just as fun and interesting in the flesh as you are on the forum.  Make sure to give me/us a heads-up next time you'll be in town.

For those of you who haven't met Wali, this pic descibes a day of fishing with the original Portland Kayak Fisherman. 

It was great to meet you Wali! Thanks for the use of your custom yak cart too, it's got me inspired to make my own

I hope you got everything handled with the Raccoons. Or do I? Maybe you need to come back out soon to make sure the problem hasn't reoccurred?!!! Hope to fish with you again soon!

Noah

Don't see any pink..As far as i'm concerned, Wali wasn't even there...

Shame you can't get out for the ORC..Been too long!

It was great hanging out with you Wali!  Hope to see you back up here soon!

Wali, it was a pleasure meeting you.  Wish I could have had more time to hang and share donuts with you and Mark on Sunday.  Just remember next time you come North bring some more of that Florida sun with you. Tight lines always

It was a pleasure to meet y'all.  And FFTW, remember that when the clouds in the sky are your mountains, you have many friends that are eager to show you real mountains; from the water of course.

Made it back intact, picked up my replacement Hobie BigA and realized that our specked trout are waaaaaaay smaller than your specked trout.



But it is kinda nice to be out in fishnet panty hose again.

Tight lines!
Wali




oh, and Andy: que Sirah y Nyquil? <sorry Doris>
That sounds like a recipe for seeing monsters.

How about pizza instead?

Cool looking fish and sexy look for you Wali!

Wali,
More fishnets for ya;

Morris Day - Fishnet

damn that brings back memories.......