Here's a nice shot of the proud vessel American Challenger. The nicest thing I've heard said about it is that "she was a wreck well before she hit the rocks." Still no numbers on how much fuel is aboard, only the suspicion that a bit is leaking out but natural processes are dealing with the small amount, or so we are told. There are still plans to pump the fuel out, and probably overly optimistic plans to drag the hulk off of the beach. Big winds and big swells Sunday and Monday probably won't make the holes in the hull any smaller. Maybe it'll make good abalone habitat.

   UPDATE: As of the 9:24 PM email, the USCG says that there is "no substantial threat of pollution onboard the American Challenger." Also, Miller Park is open for launching again. Tally-ho.

    James Ford of Dixon caught this 28 inch halibut at Hog Island today. He was drifting a dead anchovy while he waited to pull his crab traps. He caught a few jacksmelt to try for bait but they were too big to be useful. Water temp was 54º at Hog and reported to be 55º by Inverness. That's a bit on the cold side, but if the fish don't know better don't correct them.