Best Moments; N.O.P. (North Olympic Peninsula)

Hey Bros,

I Posted my personal best moment back in July in Big Fish Brag Board.  Hooked 3 big kings in a row jigging, what a rush!  Even got to keep one.  We happened to be having a surprise B-day party for my wife at Salt Creek Campground so having fresh king on the menu was a definite bonus. 

But there were other moments, my son catching his first ling and a huge cabezon, my wife caught a real big sea bass.  My adopted 10 yr old Nephew caught a barely legal ling, with very little assistance from me, yes he was on my yak.  And just the mere beauty of a summer sunrise over the Strait.  I feel very lucky to live where I do and enjoy the lifestyle I do. 

Feel free to come on out and enjoy it with me, one of my only regrets is that I didn't get to do that with more of you.  My wife and I love company, our door is always open, (usually open.

Thanks to all of you who have contributed to my experience either here or on the water.  Some of your advice has been invaluable!

Wow!  Very nice!  Great job on those Kings and Lings!

Spent four years in Grays Harbor area.  That's where I first sat in a Sit on Top Kayak and caught a fish.  Too bad I didn't do more of it.  But it was what got me started!

Thanks for sharing, nice pics!

ditto on the pix, nice shot of pb heading out to Bachelor Rock, captures the optimism of setting out!!

I too have had some fine moments on the NOP.

Beautiful post Ohbryant! 

That area is truely magical.  I've also had some great moments up that way. 
My favorite memory is a backpacking trip from LaPush to Oil City with surfboards.  My hiking partner questioned the wisdome of bringing fishing gear and a multi-spice jar, until his 1st taste of fresh fish.
 
-Spot-

Cool! Great post and pics. Ohbryant, I don't think you're gonna have a shortage of fishing buddies after this! I'll have to head up and fish with you next year!

Demonick, those are some really great aerial shots of a couple of my favorite places to go camp and hang out and go surfing & beach hiking, and use as a base camp for fishing.    Now I am going to be adding yak-angling to my future excursions up that way. I've fished lakes up that way from my U-12, hiked the rivers, floated a few of em in a drift boat, but haven't launched my yak off the beach yet.

Thanks all.  That PB shot was cut way down but I agree you Kalli, As I was heading out that AM a guy was coming in with a 20lber he'ed just caught off his pontoon boat.  Spot, I did that trip, well part of it, with Surf boards from the other direction, best surf was just above oil city actually.  I like the aerials demonick, were you flying?

great shots.  it was great meeting up with you this summer / fall.

it was a great summer with pinks, coho, and blackmouth plus a few bottomfish.  looking forward to an even better 2012.





chris

Ya know, I think we should have a NWKA campout at Salt Creek in July when area 6 opens for kings.  I'm retired and plan to set up camp for a week in July, and a week in October when the big silvers are available.

I'll Second that Kallitype, coarse it's easy for me, but still it's a great place.  I think it might heat up a bit a little later in the month. 

Get this, a buddy of mine was drifting the Bogachiel recently and hooked a chrome King, said they saw another one jump.

Anyhow, that sounds good, why not post something now and see if we can get some feed back. 

Are you interested in fishing in the derby in Feb?  I'd given some thought to seeing if they would make a kayak division if we brought in some of the prizes.  Didn't know if enough yakkers would be interested in Feb.  Some of the organizers are customers of mine. 

           ohbryant,
   What derby are you talking about ?
   That could certainly add some spice to the rum....
    Details if you please ...........

That would be the Olympic Peninsula Salmon Derby, formerly the Discovery Bay Salmon Derby.  Last year pot was very nice.  There is a website http://gardinersalmonderby.org/.  Didn't fish in it last year, am thinking about it this year, it is a 3 day event Presidents day Weekend.  Last years grandprize was 10k.  Anyhow if there is some interest I will attempt to contact someone and see if they would consider a yakkers division.  With the idea that we are competing for the other prizes too.

       Thanks ohbryant,

   Appreciate the info.And that derby looks like it could be very lucrative as well as a lot of fun.With 3 days to fish,that opens up schedualing for a lot of people.And with over 500 sq. miles of water to fish there will be lots of kayak friendly water to fish.Hope to make it up there.......

  Oh yeah....a kayak division would be awesome.When Kardinal_84 and I fished the Anchor Point Salmon derby in Alaska last May, they had never even had any kayaks enter in 17 years of that derby.We had 4 enter..Made a big impressiion on all the old timers.Besides that........it was a blast.Hope you can make it happen.

Oh, man! This has got my juices flowing. Gotta start planning to fish this derby in February from my Tandem Island. Anyone else want to do this? Maybe need a couple of trial runs to get to know the area, make any needed mods to boat and gear. Get a caravan from the Portland/Vancouver area, rent a house for a few days. Let's do it!

Sounds like a great way to beat the February doldrums!!!