Monday, August 3, 2020


    So if it's windy and rough but there's fish to be caught, Mike Mack and Tim Nelson are probably out there doing it. For his birthday on Sunday, Mike Mack went out and nailed some nice ones at the Trees and earned them in the slop. Those fish look big enough to almost be worth it. But I'm kind of a fair weather fisherman. Well, okay. Not kind of. Jesse Keilman and his crew limited again on Sunday with the last two fish coming around the bell buoy ("TB"). As the wind causes some of the anchovies to flood into the bay there's a distinct chance for a salmon to be caught in Tomales Bay this week. If you are that lottery winner, check it very close because most of the salmon in Tomales Bay are the protected, expensive kind. Kings can be caught in the bay but not usually. 
   Today we had firetrucks, ambulances, helicopters (both the Sonoma Sheriff's helo and a Coast Guard MH-65), and boats out for the clammer extravaganza. Probably a boat flipped over, for sure a guy got pulled out of the water by the Coast Guard chopper, and after everybody went home they all came back because of the same report from a different person. I don't know, but I'm guessing a quarter million of your tax dollars went up in smoke today trying to rescue people that shouldn't have been on the water. The level of confusion due to various reporting parties with varying cell signals and varying levels of communication ability resulted in a Charlie Foxtrot that was so good they had to do it twice. On the plus side, the level of ignorance on the water has finally come to the attention of the higher-ups at the Coast Guard and there will be Guardsmen here for at least the next few tide mornings to try to moderate the foolishness. I approve. 
       Cameron sent me this picture of some of the guys that didn't need to be rescued :"Watched these guys have an interaction with the guy on the chopper. Guess he figured they were in trouble, but I guess not since he flew away after a minute of talking." The "guy on the chopper" was the guy dangling beneath Henry One (wrong preposition, Cameron. Not on, but under.). The crew of the helicopter mistakenly thought that eight guys in this boat constituted an obvious problem. Incredibly, they weren't the ones in life-or-death trouble, they were just inconvenienced by shallow water. There was another group that had a guy drift up on the mainland at Tom's Point and were going to call 911 because their friend couldn't get back. They were told by friendly Lawson's Landing staff that they should walk, as they had somehow mistaken inconvenience for an actual emergency. 

14 comments:

Thumbs said...

I'm surprised this only happens once in awhile

Thumbs said...

Great job 👍 Mike, your getting it dialed in...tight lines brotha

Tomales Outlaw said...

This has GOT to come to an end. I pay a lot of taxes, and am not opposed to CG auxilliary being out at Lawsons (or actual guardsmen and women on a more regular basis. I=We might be outlaws, but we aren't idiots. At least it seems that the newer clam pumps needing a certain amount of water to be operated are resulting in these folks clamming higher tides and paying the price.

Outlaw

Capn Al said...

Tomales Outlaw
Well said Matey ! It seems rare to see commonsense comments,👍

Onemore said...

Anyone thinking about running to the Gumdrop this Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday?
Some big bluefin got caught this last weekend at the Pioneer. Weather window looks good and water as of yesterday is 60deg.
50 mile run from bodega head.
I’m seriously thinking about it if conditions hold. Always nice to have a couple boats out there.

JRS said...

Agree with outlaw 100%

Richard said...

Willy ��NICE keybord.

Willy said...

Most of the clammers are ignorant about pretty much all things aquatic but the regulars know how much water is necessary and aren't the ones getting rescued. Pros generally aren't the guys in trouble. With the Coast Guard, at least. I am not defending anyone (should be all caps) but your poachers aren't the Coasties interest. Reality, as usual, is more complicated. But fricken interesting. The best thing right now is that the situation is under a spotlight and any commentary from the public has 3x weight. Send a short email to your elected representatives. It may not help but it will make someone feel bad.

Thumbs said...

Hey Boyz the blue fin are near!! They are showing up in half moon bay!!! And I can personally tell you as well as Willie that blue fin are a catch of a life time!!! I'll never forget my day with Team Vogler!

HaliBury said...

I wish my 15 ft 1958 sportsline wont make it. Gunna ne a bigger boat

BIG"D" said...

Showass

Onemore said...

Yes they are Thumbs!
100# up to 200# caught around Pioneer canyon. I’m hoping some guys are out Sunday and Monday and will get a report out.
Other news, Albacore are 20miles out of Fort Bragg.
Thought choice stay and catch 20# Salmon or roll the dice and go offshore

Thumbs said...

Get out there for the tuna, onemore if ya get into them It's worth missing a couple salmon days

JRS said...

Let’s see some film!!!