Netarts Bay Huli and Crab Tale

I had my first huli ever on Tuesday.  Sadly, I was disappointed.  My whole kayaking life, the anticipation has been building for that special moment.  I wanted my first time to be unique...perhaps spectacular.  I had dreams of my first time being breath-taking, mayhap a full on stern over bow 180 like Insayn is able to accomplish.  An experience that feels like it lasts forever, elevating your heartrate, and making you kiss the ground upon safe landing.   But no, my first was almost forgettable.  Over in a matter of seconds and somewhat regrettable.

I was out on Netarts Bay participating in a very average, but productive crab outing.  My father-in-law and I had found a spot in a somewhat sheltered area where we were on crabs. We had one keeper and tossed back a lot that were close along with several large females.  Prior to finding this spot, we had dropped a trap closer to the boat launch out in the open. I decided to go back out in the exposed water to retrieve it. 

I was in the Adventure flying cross-wind and across the tidal current, both of which were fighting each other.  The sea was angry that day my friends. Like an old man trying to send back soup at a deli*.  A squal started to come in as I found the trap.  I pointed the bow into the tide to pull the trap.  As I was pulling it up, I inadvertently turned sideways to the wind and waves.  The Adventure felt plenty stable, so I put the buoy and rope into the trap and set it on the rear deck.  I was sitting with both feet in the cockpit and reaching behind me when a large gust of wind hit me and blew me off balance.  I realized that there was no going back.  I decided having a clean, controlled fall would lead to a better outcome than flailing about trying to remain in the boat and eventually flipping it.  So I relaxed and let the inevitable happen.

 As I fell in, many thoughts went through my mind such as:

-I can't believe the wind blew me out of my kayak.  In all my years of kayaking, this has never happened. In fact, I have  never heard of this happening.
-If I were holding a paddle, this would not have happened because I could have braced.
-I sure hope I can get ahold of the kayak.
-Damn, the GoPro is not on! This would have been an awesome video in slo-mo.
-Wow! There is no one out on this bay that can see me.
-Man I am a dumbass! I forgot to practice self rescues on this new, somewhat unfamiliar yak. Hopefully, it isn't any harder than my other kayaks.

After hitting the water I grabbed the yak and decided to work my way to the upwind side.  I figured it would be easier for some reason to not have the yak constantly being blown at me while the tide pushed me into it.  I also thanked the water gods for my nice warm Kokatat dry suit and my PFD.  I was back on in one attempt. It actually seemed easier than reboarding the Outback, but the fear and adrenaline may have helped.  However, my trap which was on the rear deck was nowhere to be seen.  With the bouy inside, it was probably drifting low in the water or had sunk to the bottom.   I am glad I just went with the fall instead of risking flipping the yak because neither my cooler or my gaf were leashed.  I think all would have been lost.

At this point in time, I decided I would go back to the sheltered area and recommend we pack up and call it a day in case the weather got worse.  We pulled the traps and rings.  In both remaining traps we had a bunch of huge crabs.  All were close to about 7 inches.  Most were female, but 4 of them were male.  With five in the cooler we decided that was enough for a meal so we stowed the gear and headed back to the launch. 

Father-in-law in the Outback




Me in the Adventure



Yum!


We had also tried digging for clams , but I have no idea what the hell I am doing and the only thing we found were sand shrimp and worms.


*Who said it first?  A beer to the first person with the correct answer.


-Craig

Glad you're alright! Would have been nice if the gopro were on


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Old man quote by George Costanza

FWIW, you're the second person in the last month that's been blown over.  Interesting... I know wind has gotten me a bit wobbly at times, and I'm sure if I was doing something off ballance (say, reaching behind into the tank well) I'd bet I could be blown over....

at least it wasn't all that bad in the end!

I am so sad I was not there to mock and harass you during your special moment.  While it won't be the same I hope to be there, with a go pro running, for your second huli.
Was it the soup Nazi?

I am so sad I was not there to mock and harass you during your special moment.  While it won't be the same I hope to be there, with a go pro running, for your second huli.
Was it the soup Nazi?

Nope.  Isaac got it right.  Good thing too.  I can't afford to drive to Seattle, or Alaska, to buy one to those guys or gals a beer.
Seinfeld - Marine Biologist

I was thinking about hitting Netarts Bay instead of the Siletz on Tuesday. Dang it! I should have headed over.

True

As wise ole' Abraham Lincoln said: "I am not concerned that you have fallen [Huli'ed] -- I am concerned that you arise [Re-enter]." 

Nice dungees!

I was thinking about hitting Netarts Bay instead of the Siletz on Tuesday. Dang it! I should have headed over.

True

You should have.  It is always mice to have more people out there. The Coast Guard was busy towing in boats that had engine problems.  One was getting carried out to sea by the wind and outgoing tide when we got there.

Another victim of the reach around... The most common non surf launch Huli there is..reaching around to grab something in the back with your legs in the cockpit. it's much better to sit side saddle and fiddle around in the back well. Even happens in an outback.DAMBMHHK(don't ask my buddy martin how he knows)

.Glad you didn't lose all your stuff.

Welcome to the Huli-hood! I found something I did before you, I'm honored!

Too bad we didn't crab Netarts last week when we were there. Maybe next month.

I recognized George Costanza right away. Poor whale with Kramer's golf ball in the blow hole... Lucky for you the time difference worked against me, or you'd be planning that Alaska trip. 

I recognized George Costanza right away. Poor whale with Kramer's golf ball in the blow hole... Lucky for you the time difference worked against me, or you'd be planning that Alaska trip. 

I would love an Alaska trip.  I fished up there once abou ten years ago and had a blast. Now i want to go back and do it with a kayak.

Let's see, Nobody around, Go Pro off. "There I was in the Adventure when this gigantic wave caused by a sunami..."

Glad you are OK and the only loss was the ring. I would of been right there with Nate to give you a bad time though. It is only a matter of time before my Huli is due.

Stevehawk

Craig....You said, "An experience that feels like it lasts forever, elevating your heartrate, and making you kiss the ground upon safe landing. But no, my first was almost forgettable."  I'm glad as hell you're okay Bro, but feel guilty because I forgot why I was even reading the thread, and that you had a huli, by the time I was drooling and staring at the fifth picture, the one of the dinner table. Mmmmmm 

Great story Craig! Glad you are okay. Hey, I want to go to Alaska too! My wife said she would pay for the trip!