I awoke at about 4:30 this morning in an effort to have my first experience fishing in the ocean for halibut. One of my colleagues has a boat and has invited me on a couple of occasions to go out with him and some others. He has the poles, boots, and other various equipment. All I needed to bring was a snack and some money to pay a share of the launch fee and gas. For one reason or another (usually the wave height), all of the earlier excursions had been cancelled (although he has been able to go out on times that I was not available.
Today was supposed to be different. We were told that the water was favorable and the waves small enough for launch. Unfortunately, by the time we arrived at Ninilchik, the water was showing white caps and the forecast was for larger waves through the day. The lady in charge of the launch suggested that we not go. Considering that meant we didn't pay her, we took her suggestion seriously.
Instead we took the 45 minute trip back to my friend's house and decided to try our luck at salmon fishing. We walked the trail at the end of Redoubt Avenue to the river and were fortunate that there was enough space to cast without tangling (well ... too often). Thus I had my first fly fishing experience. It rained the entire time.
Three hours later, the four of us had reached our limit ... of patience. None of us had caught a fish. Only one fish had clearly been on the line, and its loss early in our excursion was the subject of much debate through the rest of the trip. The fisherman to my right snagged four fish in the span of half an hour. Being inexperienced, I noticed that he was using his rod and line differently, but I stuck with emulating the friends I came with. Later, they told me that the fisherman was literally snagging fish, a technique that could get him fined if caught as it jerks the hook into fins and fish bellies, damaging and sometimes killing the fish without catching them. I'm happier to be fishless.
We're going to make another attempt at the ocean on Wednesday. My friends seem to love fishing. I am not ... hooked ... yet.
Today was supposed to be different. We were told that the water was favorable and the waves small enough for launch. Unfortunately, by the time we arrived at Ninilchik, the water was showing white caps and the forecast was for larger waves through the day. The lady in charge of the launch suggested that we not go. Considering that meant we didn't pay her, we took her suggestion seriously.
Instead we took the 45 minute trip back to my friend's house and decided to try our luck at salmon fishing. We walked the trail at the end of Redoubt Avenue to the river and were fortunate that there was enough space to cast without tangling (well ... too often). Thus I had my first fly fishing experience. It rained the entire time.
Three hours later, the four of us had reached our limit ... of patience. None of us had caught a fish. Only one fish had clearly been on the line, and its loss early in our excursion was the subject of much debate through the rest of the trip. The fisherman to my right snagged four fish in the span of half an hour. Being inexperienced, I noticed that he was using his rod and line differently, but I stuck with emulating the friends I came with. Later, they told me that the fisherman was literally snagging fish, a technique that could get him fined if caught as it jerks the hook into fins and fish bellies, damaging and sometimes killing the fish without catching them. I'm happier to be fishless.
We're going to make another attempt at the ocean on Wednesday. My friends seem to love fishing. I am not ... hooked ... yet.
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