Jul 9

Jul 9 Fishing Report: Garibaldi Coho, Crab, Mackerel, and Mussels Jul 4 - Jul 7

Went to Garibaldi on July 3 after work, traffic was not bad at all, much to my surprise. Got up at 4:00 on the fourth, and headed out with Jim and Troy for more coho and crabbing. Dropped 4 pots on the way out, we were fishing west of Twin Rocks, north of the entrance. It was another great day, with several fish lost, some natives released, and 5 hatchery kept, Jim limited, Troy and I each kept one. Picked up pots on way back in, and had 22 nice keeper crab for our efforts. Back to the RV for a cold beverage, and fish and crab cleaning. Cannot say too many times how nice it is not to have to drive back to PDX after a day of fishing.

Well, at 4:00 a.m. on July 5th, it was time to start the cycle again. This time with Troy, and Rick. Dropped 4 pots in the same area and headed west. It was another great, calm day on the ocean, we had several misses, released a few natives, and each took home two hatchery coho. We got another 22 crabs from our pots. Back for a cold beverage and cleaning. Two days in a row is tiring, I have no idea how the guides do it, but am impressed by their stamina.

After fishing two days in a row, July 6 was a day for sleeping in. There was a really good low tide for harvesting mussels, which I had never done before. Fairly simple process, go to the beach north of the north jetty at low tide, bring a screwdriver, or something similar, and find some mussels. Not too big, but not too small, for best results. You are allowed 72 each per day with a shellfish license. Note: 72 is a lot of mussels, a lot of work to prepare, they need to be cleaned. Spent time relaxing on the beach and watching Baxter, my daughter’s dog, run around in circles about 100 times at the end of his leash. Reminded me of a toy airplane at the end of a string. Back to the travel trailer to clean mussels and relax.

Back to the fishing the next morning, will be going with Troy S. and Todd, it is still exciting to prepare and know you will be fishing shortly.

Another 4:00 a.m. start on the 7th with Troy S. and Todd joining me. Another great day with 5 hatchery coho kept, Todd and I with 2 each, and Troy with one. 22 more crab, very consistent, and back to the trailer, after a nice lunch at the Hook Line and Sinker and a nap, time to commute back to Portland, to prepare for work on Monday. The whole work thing kind of gets in the way of fishing, but I am ready for a break.