No Tuna for the Timid

[skein]

It was two different days out there today, one gnarly and seething and closed fisted, and one sunny and warm and fruitful. We played in the first one.

I also found that Depoe Bay is pretty easy - and very hard.

But first, let me tell you that my decisions are based on knowledge, experience, and perception. It's kept me alive so far and I count on that threesome to keep me going for some time in the future.

Knowledge is in short supply out on the ocean. I'm learning lots everytime I go out, as well as from my Salty Brothers and Sisters, but I don't exactly have a footlocker full. I'm somewhat better in the experience column, with boats and tides and currents, but not a lot out on the Big Blue Pacific. I think I picked up a little today.

And perception? My perception was that waves steep enough to roll over along the top, leaving a big hole behind them was a little more than I wanted. We're not talking sheep here, we're talking big, tall waves curling.

We made it out about 24 miles and even got into some 65 degree water, but we couldn't fish it. Couldn't stand up long enough to let out the lines. Others were reporting a nice ocean, but not ours, not where we were. So we headed back.

After about 2 miles things seemed to be settling down, so we turned back again toward the voices on the radio. We made it a little farther, and if anything, it was nastier. Maybe not to you, but I was impressed. So I called it.

That was the easy part.

The closer we got to Depoe, the thicker the soup got, until visibility was down to under a tenth of a mile. Thank you GPS! We had our route marked, but the bouys didn't show until we were right on top of them. I mean RIGHT ON TOP of them. And then there's that itty-bitty slot in the rocks. You know the one.

It was one of those deals where we could see the north jetty before we could see the bridge, and had to be almost totally commited before we could line up the channel markers. I call it a pucker-factor 8. Without Mr Fisherman's eyes along, it would have been PF10 or 11. My mouth was dry when we sailed into the harbor - where the sun was shining. Alice in Wonderland stuff.

Now I'm thinking that what we were into 24 miles out was some sort of upwelling or turbulance caused by structure down deep. I don't have the experience to say that for sure, but it was more an anomaly than a condition. If I had plowed on through it we might have gotten into decent water. AND FISH!

I'm interested in other's thoughts and, Mr Fisherman, you were there, what do you say?

I'm gonna go have a beer. Or maybe a glass of Canada's finest over some ice cubes, and plan my next trip.

Oh, yeah, did I mention I gotta have one of them totes? Oh, baby!

Skein

[blubeast]

Glad you made it back safe and sound Jim without incident! Sounds like quite a trip. A definite learing experience.

[Born to be Wild]

Jim,

I'm not really into the long distance offshore stuff too much. If I go into the brink I at least want to be able to see which way to swim! :grin:

Anyway, If I am headed north, south or west and it is getting worse or is uncomfortable for myself or others I don't go any further. I head back towards the comfort zone.

When you're a long ways away from home and it isn't nice there is that chance of it getting worse before you can do the time getting back regardless of the forecast.

Call me timid or a woos but I have too much respect for the ocean and there is not a fish or thrill out there that is worth me pushing the limits or even approaching them. If you don’t feel good about it then it is time to head on back.

Drop me a line if you just want to come down and chase some inshore Chinook and/or bottom fish someday. It is getting time for me to go thin out some of them excess hatchery coho in Washington however.

Dan

PS> And yes, I do sleep on occassion.

[Ragnar]

HOLY SHEEP DIP SKEIN! Those must be those feared Buckin' Bronco Sheep you had out there. I heard they too were afflicted by that West Nile thing. Makes 'em CRAZY! Like a dog with peach seeds (you know the saying I'm sure).
Personally, it makes me :blush: want to yell steak into the big white microphone. Or in this case induce the techni-color yawn.
I'm glad to hear everyone got out of the sheep-soup that mother ocean was serving you today my Brutha.
Hey! Has anyone ever told you? That's one hell of a purdy boat you got there Jimbo!
May your next trip be more fruitful in the Carage Asada dept.
Ragnar

There is always a "next time" when you return to port safely.

[Beer Waggin]

Ah, I would say you need to be retired for a few more days before you throw in the towel. :shocked:

It alwasy pays to play the safe game. Glad to see your first attempt wasn't a total disaster.

Now, go have a and a little

[Hogback]

Timid? Sounds like good ol common sense to me!

[Taylor's viewpoint]

Skein, Just log this one up as an experience builder, it takes a lot of them to feel really comfortable on big blue. Do what you feel comfortable doing and come back safely when you don't like the situation. There will be days out there when it may be safe to continue but are not worth the beating you will take for the fish you get. Glad to see you are back in port and able to make a return trip. Have a cold one and cogitate on the next trip.
TV

[8knots]

Getting turned back.......yep, had to do it this year. The biggest difference between me getting turned back and you getting turned back? You're retired!! You can go again when the weather is more in your favor. Thanks for the interesting report. That boat has a lot of fish in it's future.

[Popeye]

Jim,
You've just broken Rule #1....You're beating yourself up for turning around. I think you're well on your way to Not breaking Rule #2....Have fun, and get yourself back to the "Beach" safely! I admire you more than you can imagine, for not letting your ego get in your way of making a call that the most experienced of us make more often than you realize. I can honestly tell you this.....After you doing what you did today, makes it one step easier for me to accept a ride on your fine vessel some day!
Good Job Cap'n

[Sea Jypzee]

I agree fully with what the others have said. If you're at all uncomfortable out there, than it's not the place for you to be. You made a good decision coming back in in that case. No need to have ANY regrets or to beat yourself up over it. There's always another day. I've had days when I've called it once offshore and seeing what it really is like. Some times it's just not worth continuing.

[Chum King]

Skein,

No reason to feel bad about turning back when the seas didn't feel right. It is the intelligent thing to do. I have had to call off numerous trips due to the weather, I have been out on a couple of trips when I wished the captain had called it, and been caught once by rapidly changing conditions I didn't anticipate properly.

I want to have fun when I'm fishing, and white knuckles don't add to my angling pleasure. Glad that you and the boat both made it back safe and sound.

I am heading out of Depoe on Friday, and it looks like it is going to be a great weather window before things go sour Saturday afternoon. If you're out there, give me a shout on 78.

Chum King

[WP]

Jim,
I won't labor the subject too much, but I strongly believe that if you are even slightly concerned...stay in port or return to port. You did absolutely the right thing. I really loved your boat and I agree with Popeye that I respect you now, even more!
Dave

[fish assassin]

Last Friday I ran out 20 miles and found fishy water ... 59.6 degrees,
birds and bait, and clear, green water. I slowed down to troll speed
and walked out on the back deck to start tossing jigs and fell down
twice in less than a minute 'cause the ocean wasn't very nice. I called
it and ran 20 miles back to port (with my tail tucked between my legs!).
Never got a hook wet. Doesn't make sense to ME to stay out if you are not
comfortable with the situation for whatever reason. Good call on your part!!
[img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img]

There will always be a better day out there waiting for you, and NO fish
is worth your life (or even serious injury)!!

-assAssin- (the original "chicken of the sea" )

[Birdnest]

Skein,

You are the one ultimately responsible for your crew, yourself, and your vessel...your the Captain. I really liked Keta and Popeye's post, so I will let the real Salty Dog's say it.

BTW, I am going to make that shot of you leaving Depoe Bay my screen saver for the day.

Joe

[Metal Manipulator]

Always good to hear that someone returns safley to port when things are rough. Good decisions are made by people with good commen sense. Way to go!

Robin

[Phil Layer]

No salt expert here but I have witnessed the "bumpy stretches of road" at sea that you mention. Yes, they are associated with uprising ocean floors.

Now that I know where some of these are, my confidence lets me pass over them to calmer water but the first few times, I seriously considered turning back to port.

You did the right thing. You could not have known if it was potholes or the ocean taking a turn for the worse. You'll probably never know unless you return there, find the same phenomenon and pass it to calmer waters. Until then, keep using your brain and do the wize and safe thing.

As I read your post, I felt my arms tightening to turn the wheel back to port long before you did. No timidity on your part...just smart captaining (is that a word?)

[Mr. Fisherman]

Jim my friend,

It is like I told you when we were out there and again at the dock. I will support any decision that a captain makes that does not jepordize the safety of his vessle or crew. By turning around to give it another try you gained experience. By turning back around and getting us back safely you earned my respect. I hope that you felt like you had my full support because you did 100%. Would I go with you again? When and where. I love your boat and the name that you picked for it.
By the way, I made it back with my tote but I did empty it out when I stopped for gas. I don't think the bumper will ever be the same
You did a fine job out there and I respect you for making the right decision. Thanks Jim It was an honor riding with you for the inagural Tuna adventure. If we caught them every time we went it wouldn't be called fishing and if somebody paved all the roads in the Pacific everyone would go there. I like it fine just the way it is.
Thanks for the salt dose, I needed that. I am sure that when Janis joins you for a Tuna adventure those fish are in big trouble. I can't wait for that day to come.
Thanks for a great day on the water Jim. You did great and nobody should think twice about that. I'll crew with you anytime.

[ 09-05-2003, 08:25 AM: Message edited by: Mr. Fisherman ]

[Popeye]

Hey Ray.....If your signature line gets any longer, you're goin' ta force all threads into a second page

[skein]

Yeah, Ray, it looks like that tote is way too heavy for your hitch. Let's just throw it in the back of my pickup and I'll take care of it for you. Actually, DSD wants me to go back to Englund's and get one. Smart girl!

Phil, that's what I think too, that it was an upwelling not unlike some of the tide rips we see off Vancouver Island, only on a grander scale. Must be why we call the Pacific grand! :grin: I'm still not sure I'd be comfortable punching on through but that was probably the ticket to tuna town for that day.

Just as an aside, I felt the boat handled it all really well, predictably doing everything I asked of her. I never felt like we were out of control or exceeded the equipment's capability as long as I did my part.

Pretty exciting stuff, this floating around in the ocean. I need to do more of that. :grin:

And everyone, thanks for the words. I just wanted to take you along on our big adventure. And bring you back safely.

Skein

[Mr. Fisherman]

How do you like my tag line now?

[puffins crew]

"Timid"??

WTG Jim. I am proud to know a skipper who knows when to call it a day, and I would be proud to crew with you anytime. Safety is the First Priority!

I have been out on the Puffin on some marginal days. It is a very seaworthy craft and skipper. We have made the same call, and are still able to go and have a look-see again.

One does not get first hand experence any other way.

Great job, Skien!! [img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img]

Peace, Tom

[corrirod]

Jim, plain and simple.....

had the captain of the Taki-Tooo made the same decision there would be a lot of people still around to see their family and friends.

If you don't feel comfortable, GO BACK !

You did the right thing, regardless of whether or not anyone else made it out.

You just accomplished one of the hardest things on the coast, crossing the Depoe Bay bar in the fog. There are only a handful of other conditions that equal or exceed the pucker factor of that experience. Put a check mark next to that one and make ready for the others.

Good job skipper. [img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img]

[WildHawg]

Well, at the risk of sounding redundant, you made the right call.
As Ray said--I support any decision a Captain makes that doesn't put his passengers at risk.
The ocean is an accrued learning experience. I did most of my learning by the seat of my pants back in the day, and am damn lucky to be here in retrospect.
You made the right call for you and your passenger. Nuff said.

[Woody]

One of the things that I admire most about the Salty Dogs is the emphasis on safety and knowing the limits of your vessel and your own experience. Skein, I can only hope that I can exercise the same clear thinking when my moment comes.

[CAPT KUJO]

It doesn't happen very often, but even the BLACK ROCKET knows when to high tail it out of there.

CAPT KUJO


Ray - have you made a motor decision?

[Thumper]

Is youse guys nuts? The North Fork Lewis is looking betta and betta! :shocked:

[Reel Creel]

Im right behimd you when it gets bad or you dont have a good feeling about the conditions its time to go in. You live to fish aother day. The first part of august i went coosbay went out about 25 miles found 63+ fished about an hour and the sheep got bigger than my boat so it seemed, i stayed to long.it took a long slow wet ride back to port. Just tell your self no fight with a any fish is worth it!!! go home and drink beer insted. Big Blue takes no prisoners for the most part.

[Pilar]

Pretty exciting stuff, this floating around in the ocean. I need to do more of that.

<font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helv">Jim, hats off to you my friend!

There are no experts on the ocean. Turning around can be pretty hard and you knew the right thing to do. Adopt the Russian battle strategy, retreat in the face of superior forces, regroup and fight another day.

Don't beat yourself over getting so close to the fish and then leaving. For a guy that is new to this you are showing some common sense.