Yesterday's totals were a bit disappointing for most, with probably half of the boats from here going without salmon. Successful boats had from 1 to 4 with a few halibut from the beaches mixed in. The water is cold and clear. The forecast is calling for some decent weather though, so it should warm up and color up, and then hopefully fish up, by later this week. The salmon came from Ten Mile (no more specific location given), tight against the beach at Elephant, Tomales Point, and the esteros. There were some fish being caught up by Carmet but of the two boats I spoke with, one was skunked and the other had early limits of small fish, so the bite is either good or over, depending on who you ask. The divers are spearing some halibut in the deep holes in the mouth of the bay but the fishermen aren't doing as well there. Hog Island has been the place to fish with catches ranging from 0 to 5.

Jason Kasick of Sacramento caught this nice 20# salmon while fishing with Dave Pile. There are definitely some salmon scattered around but you definitely have to work for them. In the last few days there were fish caught in the outer bay, off of Bird Rock, off McLure's Beach, Elephant reef, and even a couple from Ten Mile. The problem is that bites have been short-lived, a couple fish here and there. There were a few halibut taken on the bar and more back by Hog. A couple of flatfish came from McLure's as well. The rockfish have been biting pretty well. No more thresher shark hook-ups that I've heard of. One striper on the bar yesterday. As I write there is a small bite for salmon off the Day Beach. I guess I have to go.

Cameron Vogler caught this 20# halibut at McClure's Beach while trolling a herring behind a dodger.

Two of our regulars here have passed on this week, both of them from Lodi. Some of their friends have decided to put on a fishing tournament in their honor. The 1st Annual Ivan "Doc" Hayes and Charley "2Duck" Kundert Halibut Fishing Tournament & BBQ will be held on September 3 at Lawson's Landing. It starts at 6AM and all fish must be weighed in at the Lawson's Landing store by 4:45PM. All large fish will be marveled at, but only halibut are qualified to win. The cost is $20 to enter. If you are interested please contact:

Judy Perrigo (916)717-3698 at space H-13

Kerry Apgar (707)795-0214 0r

Harolyn Nelson (707)322-4509 at space G-34

UPDATE: Due to a greater response than expected they are not excepting further entries to the tournament. Doc and 2Duck are obviously missed.

The fishermen may not be catching halibut on the bar but the divers confirm that the fish are there. The divers at top used scuba to shoot several flatfish, including Chuy Sahagun's 20 pounder, and Jake Showaker freedove for this 23 pounder and another fish.