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Well it looks like some moisture got into my cheapo camera and distorted all my pics such as they were.
I just wanted to echo what Mark said; it was a pleasure to meet and hang out with the Loco Pescadores in the big house; as well as Corey and Kurt, Avery and Toby, Gary and Alex on Saturday evening. Big ups for Kurt on the satelite radio, that was an awesome surprise.
Man, as good as the conditions were on Saturday when I showed up (3hrs 10min from Oceanside; pulled in to PST at 5:30am) the fishing for me could not have been worse. Mustered only two small lings but put the great conditions to good use by paddling all the way up to the Soledad reef and then over to the pinnacles before letting the NW breeze blow me home. Sighted about 10 or 12 whales during the morning including several pairs that came within 20 or 30 yards of the kayak. My heart skipped a few beats when I began to make out a shape beneath me at one point... it went from whale? to SHARK! to (whew) mola mola.
Sunday I tried to fool myself into believing that the winds were just downslope morning conditions from the hills and I decided to make a go of it from the main launch site against Sam's (and, well, everybody else's) better judgement. The swell had come waaay up overnight and the cove was a washing machine but I made it outside without incident. But when I started north around the point I got caught by a gust that nearly capsized me; I think my damned crate almost killed me out there. Turned my TipperPro around and headed for the protected cove where at least I caught lunch for Sunday. Big thanks to Gary and Alex for helping me out of the water and up onto the new ramp.
Sunday afternoon, with everybody else making a run north for the border, was a bit surreal. Even Sam checked on me to make sure I really was staying and if I needed anything. Hmm, still have ice and beer, still have tortillas, still have firewood, still have the day off work Monday... no, I believe I'm good. Drove up the 4WD road and over to the other side just for giggles and some more awesome waves and spray scenery. (That's where my camera caught the water.) Ended the day fishing from the rocks and catching dinner, exploring some tidepools when the afternoon low came and then warming my feet by a fire on the cabana patio while watching the moon rise over the bay with Sam's mutt come over to keep me company. Sublime.
And then Monday, as I said, the wind was down a bit but the swell was perhaps worse. Outside awaited 10-15 foot swells easy with probably 8-9 second periods. I kept waiting to feel seasick but that didn't happen for over 2 and a half hours. So I stayed within sight of the PST houses which happened to be how far I could venture out and stay protected from the worst winds by the hills and fished a few spots for a couple more rockfish. Oh, and I left the crate behind this time and felt much more stable out there. Landed it on the main launch ramp; nearly pearled it right onto the concrete but lay back, straightened it out and skidded up high and dry in the middle of the ramp pretty as you please. Any landing you can walk away from I always say.
Though I wouldn't have minded the company for the last day and a half I'd have to say it was very relaxing to have PST all to myself. And though the fishing was scratchy at best I wouldn't trade the great day of whale watching on Saturday for anything.
As always, when I leave PST I can't wait to plan to return again.
But enought about PST... how about some of those Tequilla-induced Colonet meldown pics?! :lol:
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