One of our last old fishermen, Herb Hansen, passed away on Saturday morning. Here is a rare picture of Herb almost smiling. It took a seabass in the boat and another one lost for Herb to crack a hint of a smile, or even pose for a picture. He fished the Marie E. and before that the Poor Puss. Herb will be missed, but not by the salmon and halibut that he put a hurt to. Herb was not universally loved, and there were people that complained that when they called Herb on the VHF, he wouldn't reply to them. One day I happened to be trolling past Herb on Ten Mile (where else?) and somebody called him on 74. I could clearly hear Herb's voice over the water (but not the radio), " I'm not talking to you, you a**hole." I never attempted to call Herb after that, as I didn't want to find out where I ranked. I had a suspicion... He'd talk to me in person, though, and I learned a lot from him. I wish I could have talked to him a bit more. That man knew Ten Mile. If you were fishing near Herb on the beach, you may not be catching but you weren't in the wrong place. Godspeed, Herb, and thanks for leaving us a seabass. 

    

    K R was kind enough to send in a second report from the weekend: "We launched out of lawson's landing went across the bar to be greeted by a pod of Wales we dropped 4 of the new conical crab traps in 65feet of water we then headed to elephant Rock we fished for 1 hr in 120 feet of water we picked up 4 nice lingcod and a few rockfish. The best part is the fact we got the kids there first lingcod ever.also got 2 nice 7inch male Dungeness. I also would like to say if fishermen need conical crab nets lawson's store has the best price around we got 10 from them. The little blonde boy is actually named Dillon Beach." Good man to put the kids on fish. I usually took the kids to put me on fish, but your way is better. Good idea getting in a little conical practice before it's the rule. 

   While we all heard the rules for salmon, now they're official:"

Recreational Salmon Seasons Finalized for the California Coast

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) announces California recreational ocean salmon fishing season dates are now set for the remainder of 2022 and offer about the same number of open days as last year. Sport fisheries opened south of Point Arena on April 2 and the remainder of the coast will open May 1. Although anglers can enjoy an earlier start to the season than last year, there will be intermittent breaks in fishing opportunity in management areas north of Pigeon Point.   This week, the Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC) met in Seattle, Washington to finalize and adopt recommended ocean salmon seasons occurring between mid-May and October. These seasons are the outcome of a months-long public process and reflect efforts to maximize recreational angling opportunity while also achieving the stock conservation objectives prescribed by the PFMC and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) for 2022.   Efforts to increase adult returns of California Coastal Chinook, Sacramento River Fall Chinook, and Klamath River Fall Chinook this fall and winter resulted in ocean salmon seasons that allow for more fishing opportunity in southern management areas and slightly less time on the water in northern management areas.   The 2022 recreational ocean salmon season dates for the California coast are as follows:   In the Klamath Management Zone, which is the area between the Oregon/California state line and 40°10’00” N. latitude (near Cape Mendocino), the season will be open May 1-31 and Aug. 1-Sept. 5. The Fort Bragg Management Area, which extends from 40°10’00” N. latitude to Point Arena (38°57’30” N. latitude), will be open May 1-July 4 and July 22-Sept. 5. In the San Francisco Management Area, which extends from Point Arena to Pigeon Point (37°11’00” N. latitude), the season is open April 2-May 31 and June 23-Oct. 31. In the Monterey Management Area, which extends from Pigeon Point to the U.S./Mexico border, the season is open April 2-Oct. 2. The minimum size limit in all management areas north of Point Arena is 20 inches total length. In the San Francisco and Monterey management areas, the minimum size limit is 24 inches total length through May 15 and will drop to 20 inches total length thereafter. The daily bag limit is two Chinook salmon per day. No more than two daily bag limits may be possessed when on land. On a vessel in ocean waters, no person shall possess or bring ashore more than one daily bag limit. Retention of coho, or silver salmon, is prohibited in all ocean fisheries off California.   Anglers are advised to check for updated information when planning a salmon fishing trip. Season dates, bag/possession limit information and gear restrictions can be found on CDFW’s Ocean Salmon webpage or by calling the CDFW Ocean Salmon Regulations Hotline at (707) 576-3429. Public notification of any in-season change to conform state regulations to federal regulations is made through the NMFS ocean salmon hotline at (800) 662-9825.

"