A View of "The View"

Three Dingies

Bartender Isaac

Hull Inspection

A Pre Debate Crab Feast

A Big Crab

Some Funny Stuff Was Said

Why Its Not Called Catching

Buzz Bomb Option

One technique we might consider is buzz bombing. Why? Then we can all four actively fish at once because we would be drifting while we cast in different directions. Read the article on buzz bomb basics here. And let's have some buzz bombs and spinning rods in case we want to give it a try.

Weather Forecast

The marine forecast is here. Click on the "northern inland waters including the San Juans"

There is a front moving in the area but it is weak. Our two big concerns are wind and fog, and both look good for our trip. Temps look fine too. But definitely bring rain gear, both tops and bottoms if you have them. And some shoes that can get wet.

Our Route to Crabs

On Friday morning, we'll have a 35 mile run to the prime crab grounds, which will take 3.5 hours or so if we have smooth enough water to get up on plane. Or longer if its rough. The earlier we head out the better.

Fishing Reports

I try not to get excited about salmon....but...I'm getting excited. We should get crabs no problem, but salmon are hit and miss. Our timing should be good as the coho move from open ocean toward the river systems. Thanks to Frosty BM for suggesting we check out the fishing reports. Look for area 7 as you browse these report sites.

Piscatorial Pursuits
State Wildlife Outlook
Salmon University

How to Pack for San Juan Crabs (UPDATED)

Stuff this stuff into a soft duffel:

- Long and regular underwear

- Extra socks

- Light long pants

- Shorts

- A few t-shirts

- Rain gear

- Light gloves

- Hat, sunglasses

And bring this stuff too:
- Sleeping Bag and Pillow

- Whatever beer you like (to put into the boat's cooler)

- Whatever extra hard alcohol you like

- Whatever crab bait you like (besides turkey legs)

- Whatever special foods you like

- Salmon lures and tackles
- Travel coffee mug

I will bring our basic food, water and turkey legs. Guy will bring two crab pots (plus there are two on the boat.) Guy and Brad will bring salmon rods (plus mine and the two on the boat are plenty.) What did I miss?

Photo Caption Contest with Major Award

Looks like I'll have to resort to more serious tactics to get you guys to comment. So here it is. UPDATE: Major award winner is Joel, who wins first up in the fishing rotation. Frosty comes in a close second. Guy will be third by default.

You need a license to get crabs in Washington

IMPORTANT: Licenses must be purchased online at least ten days before the trip.

Visit this site now and purchase your license: https://fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov/

Create a Wild ID - you will need one to purchase a license.

When purchasing, you will choose the following four things:

1) Three day temp combo license.
2) Catch record card 1 (for salmon)
3) PS Crab CRC (catch record card) Winter
4) Endorsement: Puget Sound Crab Short Term

That time Big Joe and I got crabs up there...

Here's a good shot of pop with a load of steaming crabs. We typically pre-crack them in half, which pretty much cleans them too, and then boil in salt water for 12 minutes. No spices are needed for this method, but a tub of butter can sure enhance the experience. We can also add some Old Bay to the mix. Surely there are some other ways to cook these tasty vittles. What is your preferred method?

Coho Lures

Here's a list of good coho lures and a picture to match:

Squid, Pink Jigs, Luhr Jensen Tee Spoon Spinners, Coho Killer, Blue Fox spinners, Point Defiance Spoons, King Fisher Spoons, Krocodile Spoons, Coyote Spoons

Plus a good article on fall coho strategies here.

Fishing Research

Having three world-class fisherman directing our salmon activities is a tremendous thing. We couldn't get them, but we do have Brad and Guy (and Joel)...so...a little research might be in order. Start at www.salmonuniversity.com where they say this about the area we'll be fishing:

For chinook, try and stay in the 40 ft to 90 ft depths. When the fall Coho arrive, pick a tide rip and go for it. A number of tide rips will form just to the south of Lime Kiln Point. The top 60 ft of water is usually the area for lots of Coho, however some of our biggest Coho came while trolling 150 ft deep in late September through October.

Thursday, Sep 16th - Sunday, Sep 19th

Crab on! All four spots are booked. Guy, Joel, Brad and Andrew will be the lucky old men to get crabs in September. We'll leave Thursday evening after work (anyone have a new four door pick up we can take?) We'll arrive in Anacortes late that night, and spend a little time preparing the boat. We'll possibly have a nightcap (or five), and sleep on the boat. Friday morning...a quick trip to the storage unit and coffee shop and we'll be on our way...for a 2.5 hour run to the crabbing grounds in Garrison Bay. We'll drop pots and go try our luck for salmon...returning when we feel like it to some (hopefully) full crab traps to feast. We'll repeat on Saturday and then make our way back to port on Sunday for a late Sunday return home. Post questions and comments below.

The Vessel Comes for Thee...Crab

They were old men who fished and crabbed together in an express cruiser in the San Juans and had gone eighty-four days now without eating a crab. They were salao, which is the worst form of crab hungriness. It made the crabs sad to see the men coming on the Mountain View, for they sensed the impending feast aboard the vessel, to which they were invited in the most unpleasant manner imaginable....