Long day at Westport Saturday

[Pau Hana]

Got the crew together (Brent, and bud from my church and his friend Randy), and got the boat launched at 0330 Saturday morning- no wind, flat calm conditions. For now...

Made the call to forget about bait, and headed for the bar. Crossing was easy and fast, and we were off. Randy decided that the best medicine to add to his fun was 8 apricot ales, which he polished off between 0330 and 0630 or so. He slept most of the day.....

We headed SW, and conditions got sloppier and sloppier- we went from about 20 to 14-16 in very short order, and pushed thru. Water temp was a steady 58, till we got off the Willapa Canyon, where it started climbing rapidly. Decided to drop the gear, and in short order we had the skunk off the boat, and a virgin deflowered. First fish about 35 miles due west of Willapa at the edge of the canyon.

Continue to troll SW, picking up singles here and there; Talked to Double down and Scubabadad, who were heading a bit further south. After a few hours of quiet reels, we pulled the gear and headed south to their position 46.25 x 124.55. Weather cleared up sky-wise, but the water got choppier and choppier- we were driving directly into the oncoming swell.

As we got there, Double Down pulled the plug and headed for the barn with a plugged boat. We put in, and immediately got a double...then a single, then another double! Scubadad was done and headed to Westport. We followed about an hour later with 14 longfin from 14 to almost 40 lbs.

It's about 2:30 pm. We're 49 miles from Westport.

Brent took the helm, and I headed into the cabin for a nap....when the high temp alarm goes off! We quickly determine that the belt threw itself off the pulleys, made the repair, and continued home. The ride in was smooth- surfing all the way

It's 2:50. Headed NE to home.

About 20 miles from Westport, Brent wakes me, as the engine seems to be fuel starved and is chugging. We're 21 miles from shore. I check into the cause, and can't find it- then I check the belt again, and find thatit's extremely sloppy, and not spinning the alternator very well. The belt is adjusted to the max, and still won't take hold of the pulleys.

It's 4:30, and we're on the kicker, making a whole 2.7mph. Call the Coast Guard, and inform them of the situation. they call the wives, and politely inform us that they can call a commercial company to assist, as we're in no immediate danger.

The USCG finally takes into tow at about 10pm- we have moved about 9 miles in that time. Got dockside under tow at midnight, had the required USCG inspection, and pulled the boat into the neighborhood at 0450 Sunday morning.

Pics later...when I find my brain..... It was a great (but long!) day!!!

[CATCH AND EAT]

Sorry for the engine issues but glad you got tuna. BTW this is an interesting double post within a post.

[5-Cents]

You were so tired you told your story twice... I know how you feel man!