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In case there are some of you who haven't heard about Wayde's fishing trip with Hank Bryson, here it is:

FISHING WITH CAPTAIN HANK

I had the opportunity to go commercial fishing with Hank Bryson on his boat, Christy Belle. I had asked Hank last spring if I might accompany him on a fishing trip and he agreed to call me when the weather and fishing were better. On Sunday 7/15 Hank called and asked if I would be ready to go the next day. I said yes and made a few arrangements for the time I would be gone.

I met Hank at the boat slip on Port Dock 7 in Newport, Oregon near noon on Monday. We got underway before long and went to the South Beach Marina for fuel then to Trident Seafoods to get a ton and a half of chipped ice. Hank filled four boxes on deck and 5 bins in the hold. We had enough ice for 5 days or so depending on how many fish we caught. Hank lowered the outrigger poles and we headed under the Yaquina Bridge on our way west. We cleared the bar and set a westerly course on the Murano auto-pilot which is a very nice piece of navigation gear. Hank asked if I would watch the helm while he stowed gear and prepared the equipment to troll for salmon. I did not have much to do except watch for crab pot buoys and other boats of which we hit neither. I watched our progress on the Murano screen and ate half a sandwich. 3 hours later we stopped to fish near the north end of Stonewall Banks which is known locally as "the rock pile". The salmon trolling gear consisted of 2 steel wires on hydraulically driven reels. One had a 60# lead ball and the other a 50# ball. The lines were let down and a lured line was attached every 2 fathoms (12 feet). 4 lines were set on each wire which was also attached to the outrigger pole. The identical setup was on each side of the boat. I had the port side to tend and Hank had the starboard side. Hank showed me how to operate the hydraulic reels and told me the things to do and not to do. I remembered most of it. We used rubber hoochies and barbless hooks for lures and began trolling at 2 knots or so. We had 16 lures out to attract any salmon in the area. The lines are tended by standing in a small well at the back of the boat. We caught our first King Salmon before long. A nice fish. We also caught a few coho, ling cod, 1 small halibut and some yellow tail rock fish which all went back in the water. We fished till 9:00 pm and then brought up the gear and stowed it for the night. I believe we caught 16 kings that afternoon. I was pretty tired from trying to maintain my balance while managing the fishing gear. I got through the day without any major problems. Hank asked what I wanted for supper but I just opted for the other half of my lunch sandwich then went to bed. I slept in the bow on the starboard bunk and Hank made the table into a bunk in the cabin. Seas were pretty mild that night and I slept good except for hearing the vhf radio a few times.

Tuesday started about 6:00 am. Hank cooked us some bacon, eggs and toast. A good breakfast but I think when he is alone he mostly has cereal. With breakfast out of the way Hank checked our position and found we had not drifted much over a mile during the night. We each put out the salmon gear on our respective sides and began trolling for salmon. It was a long slow morning with only 1 king caught. Hank decided to pick up the salmon gear and head north to try for albacore tuna. We knew the area where some fish were from all the radio chatter. It was 5 hour trip. The tuna set-up was different from the salmon rigs. For tuna we set out 5 lines off each side of the boat and 1 line in the center. The lines were attached to the outrigger poles and had a hand line back to the tending station to pull the fishing line in to where you could grab it and pull in the tuna. The troll is fast at 6 knots and the lures are near surface. You can see the tuna when they get hooked. We were fishing with the stabilizers in the water which greatly reduced the roll of the boat. I still had a hard time keeping balanced and upright though. I often resembled a giant yellow ping pong ball as I caromed off various objects, Hank included, as the day wore on. We were catching tuna slow but steady and fished till near 7:00 pm. We pulled all the lines in, coiled the lines and strings and hung the lures in a fashion that should make it easy to put it all out the next day. We had 27 tuna on ice for the afternoon. I was a little concerned because my side of the boat did not look as neat and tidy as Hank's side. I did not want a huge tangled up mess in the morning when we went back in the water. We were back in the house near 9:00 pm. Hank asked if I wanted a hamburger but I was so tired I just ate a quick sandwich and went to bed. The water was a little rougher that night but I slept better and woke up less. A result of the days activities I am sure.

Wednesday started out again around 6:00 am. Hank fixed us bacon, eggs and toast. It seemed particularly good that morning. I was kind of dreading the trip to the back of the boat and putting the tuna array back in the water. I was pleasantly surprised when everything went back in without any serious tangles or problems. I was fishing before long at all. Hank pulled the stabilizers out of the water because many fishermen think they scare the fish. The boat rolled further and more sharply which increased my difficulty in trying to stay erect. We in tuna most of the time and pulled a few fish steadily. By noon we had boated 20 tuna but the sea was kicking up pretty good. The forecast 2 to 3 foot swells were more like 4 to 6 foot with wind waves to boot. I was having a very hard time staying on my feet and finally resorted to kneeling to pull the tuna lines in. I think near 1 or 2 in the afternoon Hank said ok, lets quit. I was exhausted and did not quibble with his decision. We had boated another 20 tuna that day. I took awhile to take down the tuna gear and get ready for travel. The plan was to go back to the "rock pile", spend the night and fish for salmon on Thursday morning. The weather was supposed to get better but we did not see much improvement. Hank said he did not care if we stayed out or went home and it was up to me. After some thought I said lets head in. I did not think the weather was going to improve all that much. We crossed the bar just before 10:00 pm and were tied up at the dock shortly. Barb came down and picked me up. My first commercial fishing trip was over. I greatly enjoyed the experience and learned a lot. I also gained more respect for the people who go to sea every day to make a living. Pretty hard work.

My final observation is that marine heads must be some form of punishment for past misdeeds. I won't elaborate on that one.

Wayde Dudley

July 23, 2007

Spotting one of these while doing the breast stroke across the bay could result in a permanent pucker mark in your knickers. Ocean Shores is on the north side of Gray's Harbor...just north of here.

OCEAN SHORES, WA -

While the ocean vessel 'Dawn Raider' was commercial fishing for dogfish, this Great White was hooked in the mouth but only resisted slightly for 15 minutes before it came up alongside the boat to have a look; long enough for one of the crew members to slip a rope around it's tail !!! 'And that's when the s**t hit the fan!!. The Shark took off towing the 42 foot fishing boat backwards through the water at about 7 Knots. Just like in JAWS, the boat was taking on water over the stern and the crew watched in horror as the shark would actually jump completely out of the water at times. This went on for an hour before the shark finally drowned. She weighed in at 1035 LBS. It is suspected she followed a weak El Nino current into local waters in search of food. Although mid 60 degree water is considered ideal for these sharks, the larger ones can tolerate water in the low 50s.

Sent in by Wayde Dudley

Newport News-Times: One fine day

Newport News-Times: One fine day: "One fine day An experienced fisherman helps out a youngster at Big Creek Reservoir as part of the angler training program Thursday, July 12. The program was made possible by funding from a 21st Century Community Learning Grant. A group of nearly 20 youth ages 5 to 7 from the Waldport Learning Center bused to the reservoir. Volunteers from Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Central Coast Fly Fishers and Longview Hills Fishing Club offered their guidance"

Incredible Fishing Video

Charlotte Observer | 07/12/2007 | FISHING FORECAST | TOM HIGGINS

Charlotte Observer | 07/12/2007 | FISHING FORECAST | TOM HIGGINS: "FISHING FORECAST | TOM HIGGINS

White perch, pompano, dolphin biting despite heat

White perch at Lakes Norman and Wylie, dolphin off the North Carolina coast and pompano in the Hatteras Island surf appear to be the most active feeders during the current heat wave.The white perch are concentrated in schools 20-25 feet deep and are hitting earthworms, minnows, small jigs, spoons and even 'chains' of bare gold hooks."

For your information, our good fried Bob Abbott has been designated as our Club's official Goodwill Ambassador. He is authorized, and has agreed, to receive donations of fishing paraphernalia and other collectibles to be used in our LVH 2nd Time Around Sale next May. If you wish to make a donation, Bob will be happy to take it and, if you desire, he will give you written acknowledgment for your records. Thanks to you, Bob, for agreeing to do this and thank you all in advance who generously give your "stuff" to such a good cause, our Longview Hills Fishing Club.

The First Lady

The News-Review - Sports

The News-Review - Sports: "The best fishing bet for anglers in Douglas County is smallmouth bass on the main Umpqua River and the South Umpqua River."

National Geographic News Photo Gallery: Week In Photos: Red Panda Babies, Sochi Celebrates, More

National Geographic News Photo Gallery: Week In Photos: Red Panda Babies, Sochi Celebrates, More: "Qiandao Lake, China, June 28, 2007—Fish leap out water as fishermen drag the net on the banks of Qiandao Lake in east China's Zhejiang Province."

Summertime. Fish Jumping. That’s Trouble. - New York Times

Summertime. Fish Jumping. That’s Trouble. - New York Times: "BRANFORD, Fla. — “Lots of artillery out there,” an old man hollered from the safety of the Suwannee River’s edge, and he was right. The sturgeon were jumping high and fast, twisting their armored girth in midair and returning to the depths with a stunning splash."

Outdoors - StatesmanJournal.com

Outdoors - StatesmanJournal.com: "That's an excerpt from the Bass Fishing the Umpqua workshop description in the just-released Passport to the Outdoors brochure from the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.

The workshop is Aug. 12 at the Big K Ranch on the banks of the Umpqua River near Elkton."

NEWS TIMES ARTICLE (4 JULY 07)

SOON TO BE COMING NEAR YOU  !!!!

 

WAVE ENERGY & COASTAL MARINE >> RESERVES >>SANCTUARIES & HERTIAGE AREAS

 

The NEWS TIMES, published on 4 JULY 2007, has a front page article (Tri-County Meeting) that sheds some more light on these important issues, which have particular relevance to us Sport & Commercial Anglers.

 

It is important that our 3 Coastal Fishing Clubs (LVHFC, ANWS, CCFF) know what’s “In the Kitchen & Cooking on the Stove.” >>>> Working together, we’ll try to keep you “Up to Speed” on these relevant issues.

 

THE HOOK

FW:

COMPLIMENTARY LETTER, re BIG CREEK LITTER PATROLS     (dtd. 29 June 2007)

 

It is my distinct pleasure to receive the attached letter from the Mr. William D. Bain, Mayor, City of Newport.

 

The letter is self explanatory & recognizes the Time & Treasure all of us in the Longview Hills Fishing Club have invested to make our Primary Water Source & Favorite Fishing Venue a more pleasant place for all of us who live in the Wonderful City of Newport.

 

It is appropriate….that we recognize “The Creek Meister” & his Big Creek Ambassadors & Our Friends at the Water Plant for the Outstanding Work they continue to perform….that makes this kind of recognition possible for our Fine Fishing Club.

 

This Letter will be Proudly Posted on THE WALL for all to read.

 

THE HOOK