The dates are set for our 2010 San Juan Islands kayak fishing trip! We'll meet at West Beach Resort on Orcas Island, on Wednesday, June 3rd, at 9 AM. We'll pack boats, get geared up and paddle an easy 7 miles to Jones Island, where we'll establish base camp for the next few days. There's great fishing 100 ft from the camp site, but on average we'll paddle 2-5 miles a day exploring the islands as we hunt for lingcod, cabezon, greenling, and other bottom fish while enjoying the beautiful San Juan Islands.
Learn navigation, boat handling, tide/current/wind management, boat packing, kayak fishing techniques, as well as safety/rescue/towing, and group management skills. There's even opportunity to practice capsize and re-entry, all under the auspice of Alder Creek's guides and coaches.
We'll paddle back with the tide to West Beach Resort on Sunday, June 6th
The price is $650/person, and includes all meals, guides, kayaks (sit in, sit on, or tandem), and kayak gear (wet suit/dry suit, PFD, paddle, spray skirt, gloves, booties). Transportation, fishing license, rod, reel, tackle, camping gear, and personal items are not included.
Basic kayaking skills are required, and very flexible. This is a learning trip, and we can teach as we go. If you're not sure if you have the required skills, feel free to call the shop at 503-285-0464 to see what we can work out to get you ready to go!
Custom trips are available. Call with questions or to book your trip.
Looking forward to it!
-Jason
Friday, January 29, 2010
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Guided Kayak Fishing in Washington State
After a long and tedious battle of wills, it's official; I am the first licensed and insured kayak fishing guide in the state of Washington. I'm currently taking reservations for 5 day San Juan Islands kayak fishing trips, where we'll target lingcod, greenling, cabezon & other bottom fish.
Lingcod is open May 1st to June 15th, so this is our window of opportunity to get after them.
No experience is required, all kayaking gear/boats, food, and guides are included in the price....which has yet to be decided.
I've incurred a few commercial fishing licensing fees which are going to raise the price slightly higher than a regular 5 day San Juan kayak tour.
I'll work out the details within the next week, and post here as soon as everything is set.
Please call 503-285-0464 if you need additional information, or would like to book your trip. Custom trips are available.
If you've wanted to do a multi-day kayak fishing trip but lack the experience or gear to do it on your own, this is the perfect opportunity to make it happen.
Here's to a great 2010!
Jason
Lingcod is open May 1st to June 15th, so this is our window of opportunity to get after them.
No experience is required, all kayaking gear/boats, food, and guides are included in the price....which has yet to be decided.
I've incurred a few commercial fishing licensing fees which are going to raise the price slightly higher than a regular 5 day San Juan kayak tour.
I'll work out the details within the next week, and post here as soon as everything is set.
Please call 503-285-0464 if you need additional information, or would like to book your trip. Custom trips are available.
If you've wanted to do a multi-day kayak fishing trip but lack the experience or gear to do it on your own, this is the perfect opportunity to make it happen.
Here's to a great 2010!
Jason
Friday, January 15, 2010
San Juan Islands Multi-day Kayak Fishing Trips on Hold
Just when I thought I had successfully navigated the bureaucratic waters that are the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife "Non-salmon Charter License" laws, I hit a snag.
As of right now guided saltwater kayak-fishing in Washington is on hold. I feel confident that these issues will be worked out in my favor within the next couple of weeks, and will announce it here as soon as possible.
On the bright side, we're still taking reservations for Oregon saltwater day-trip and skill building clinics. On that note I would like to thank the State of Oregon and ODFW for writing laws that make sense, and that I can understand.
-Jason
As of right now guided saltwater kayak-fishing in Washington is on hold. I feel confident that these issues will be worked out in my favor within the next couple of weeks, and will announce it here as soon as possible.
On the bright side, we're still taking reservations for Oregon saltwater day-trip and skill building clinics. On that note I would like to thank the State of Oregon and ODFW for writing laws that make sense, and that I can understand.
-Jason
Monday, January 11, 2010
GUIDED KAYAK FISHING IN OREGON AND WASHINGTON
I'm proud to announce that I am the first officially licensed and insured kayak fishing guide in the states of Oregon and Washington. I will be offering instruction and trips for kayak fishing for all levels of experience to Pacific City on the Oregon Coast for rockfish and other bottom fish, and a five-day kayak-fish-camping trip to the San Juan Islands in Northern Washington where we will target lingcod from our kayaks. Custom trips are available.
Pacific City will be a day trip, where all kayaking gear and guides are included at $125/person, minimum three people. Fishing gear, food, and refreshments are not provided, and everyone is required to have a current Oregon sport fishing license. Transportation to Pacific City is not included.
The San Juan multi-day trip is $595/person, minimum four people. All kayaking gear, guides, food, and refreshment are included. Fishing gear, camping equipment are not included. Everyone must posses a current Washington sport fishing license.
Contact Alder Creek Kayak & Canoe at 503-285-0464 if you need additional information, or to discuss custom kayak fishing trips.
2010 is already looking to be a good year. I look forward to sharing my passion for kayak fishing with you!
-Jason
Pacific City will be a day trip, where all kayaking gear and guides are included at $125/person, minimum three people. Fishing gear, food, and refreshments are not provided, and everyone is required to have a current Oregon sport fishing license. Transportation to Pacific City is not included.
The San Juan multi-day trip is $595/person, minimum four people. All kayaking gear, guides, food, and refreshment are included. Fishing gear, camping equipment are not included. Everyone must posses a current Washington sport fishing license.
Contact Alder Creek Kayak & Canoe at 503-285-0464 if you need additional information, or to discuss custom kayak fishing trips.
2010 is already looking to be a good year. I look forward to sharing my passion for kayak fishing with you!
-Jason
Sunday, December 13, 2009
TRIP REPORT: Kayak Fishing & Rough Water Play; Strait of Juan de Fuca, Wa. and Columbia River, Or.
It's been a while since I've been able to post to the blog. Taking time to do the Alaska trip during the semester definitely put me at a disadvantage, and I've been going like crazy trying to make up for it. Even with the frenzied studying, I do have several things to report.
Shay and I drove up to Port Townsend, Washington, to visit family over the Thanksgiving weekend. On the way up, I stopped in Olympia and sold my sea kayak, the trusty green dragon (NDK Explorer HV). I've been flirting with Tiderace Sea Kayaks for almost two years, and when they finally came in, I decided I was going to get one.
I took the Tiderace Xcite demo from the shop in order to get it into some rough conditions, and make my final decision based on those results. I already knew I loved the boat in mild conditions.
Shay and I launched from Fort Warden and paddled North towards the lighthouse. We were seeking the rip that exists 1.1 miles North-West of Point Wilson lighthouse. The currents were running just about as strong as they get in this area (5kts), and when the ebb apposed the twenty mile-per-hour West-Northwest wind, I expected two to four foot waves in the rip.
We found what we were looking for, and when the big cargo ships came through the Strait, the resulting boat wake would create a series of six footers plowing through the rip.
After exhausting ourselves playing & surfing in the rough stuff, we paddled back into Admiralty Inlet for calm conditions and shelter from the wind, satisfied with the handling of the Xcite.
We practiced rescues & assisted re-entries, and I fished for a few minutes unsuccessfully before we called it a day.
The following day I was more focused on fishing. I had spotted a kelp bed off the North side of Point Wilson the previous day that looked to be protected from the current. I was going to use the exact same set up that brought me so much success in the San Juans, except instead of a ten-foot leader of twenty-pound florocarbon, I switched to a forty-pound monofilament. As I tied the leader to the handline, I noticed my improved clinch knot didn't bite as well with the heavier line. I tugged on it and felt satisfied the knot would hold.
I launched from the beach into mild two-foot swell, paddled out about a mile in order to get to forty-foot depths and began jigging the handline, hoping for a big kelp greenling or cabezon. I snagged some kelp, which is normally not a big deal, and tugged the line to free the hook as my knot slipped, and the lure fell right off.
I tied my only other buzzbomb on and made a few adjustments to my knot, which I thought would hold. I repositioned and began jigging. Almost immediately I felt the vibrations on the line that only a fish can make, and pulled up to set the hook, but nothing stuck. I repeated this process five or six times, and realized the size 2/0 siwash hooks I used for lingcod were way to big for the tiny mouths of greenling. Frustrated with my tackle and knot choices, I continued to jig hoping something with a bigger mouth would strike. Again I snagged kelp, and again my lure slid off the end of the line.
A bad day of kayak fishing is still a good day of kayaking, so we paddled West through the Strait, and found some beautiful coves, who's light-colored sand-bottoms reflected a brilliant emerald, Pacific-blue. We paddled for several miles without seeing another person, only this freighter bound for port.
When we got back to Portland, the new Tiderace's had arrived, and I got one! The following day I put it in the water. We launched onto the Columbia to winds sustained at twenty mph, with gusts to forty-three, and temperatures of thirty-four degrees with a wind chill of eight. Ice formed on our decks as we paddled; It was quite chilly.
When the outgoing tide apposed the ENE wind, the river produced two-foot wind-waves; A perfect performance test for my new kayak. We paddled downriver into the wind for seven miles before turning and riding the wind waves back to where we launched.
I have to say I love this boat. It has much more stern rocker and cleaner lines than the Explorer did. It's quick acceleration and responsiveness are second to none. I can't wait to spend more time with it!
Until next time,
Jason
Shay and I drove up to Port Townsend, Washington, to visit family over the Thanksgiving weekend. On the way up, I stopped in Olympia and sold my sea kayak, the trusty green dragon (NDK Explorer HV). I've been flirting with Tiderace Sea Kayaks for almost two years, and when they finally came in, I decided I was going to get one.
I took the Tiderace Xcite demo from the shop in order to get it into some rough conditions, and make my final decision based on those results. I already knew I loved the boat in mild conditions.
Shay and I launched from Fort Warden and paddled North towards the lighthouse. We were seeking the rip that exists 1.1 miles North-West of Point Wilson lighthouse. The currents were running just about as strong as they get in this area (5kts), and when the ebb apposed the twenty mile-per-hour West-Northwest wind, I expected two to four foot waves in the rip.
We found what we were looking for, and when the big cargo ships came through the Strait, the resulting boat wake would create a series of six footers plowing through the rip.
After exhausting ourselves playing & surfing in the rough stuff, we paddled back into Admiralty Inlet for calm conditions and shelter from the wind, satisfied with the handling of the Xcite.
We practiced rescues & assisted re-entries, and I fished for a few minutes unsuccessfully before we called it a day.
The following day I was more focused on fishing. I had spotted a kelp bed off the North side of Point Wilson the previous day that looked to be protected from the current. I was going to use the exact same set up that brought me so much success in the San Juans, except instead of a ten-foot leader of twenty-pound florocarbon, I switched to a forty-pound monofilament. As I tied the leader to the handline, I noticed my improved clinch knot didn't bite as well with the heavier line. I tugged on it and felt satisfied the knot would hold.
I launched from the beach into mild two-foot swell, paddled out about a mile in order to get to forty-foot depths and began jigging the handline, hoping for a big kelp greenling or cabezon. I snagged some kelp, which is normally not a big deal, and tugged the line to free the hook as my knot slipped, and the lure fell right off.
I tied my only other buzzbomb on and made a few adjustments to my knot, which I thought would hold. I repositioned and began jigging. Almost immediately I felt the vibrations on the line that only a fish can make, and pulled up to set the hook, but nothing stuck. I repeated this process five or six times, and realized the size 2/0 siwash hooks I used for lingcod were way to big for the tiny mouths of greenling. Frustrated with my tackle and knot choices, I continued to jig hoping something with a bigger mouth would strike. Again I snagged kelp, and again my lure slid off the end of the line.
A bad day of kayak fishing is still a good day of kayaking, so we paddled West through the Strait, and found some beautiful coves, who's light-colored sand-bottoms reflected a brilliant emerald, Pacific-blue. We paddled for several miles without seeing another person, only this freighter bound for port.
When we got back to Portland, the new Tiderace's had arrived, and I got one! The following day I put it in the water. We launched onto the Columbia to winds sustained at twenty mph, with gusts to forty-three, and temperatures of thirty-four degrees with a wind chill of eight. Ice formed on our decks as we paddled; It was quite chilly.
When the outgoing tide apposed the ENE wind, the river produced two-foot wind-waves; A perfect performance test for my new kayak. We paddled downriver into the wind for seven miles before turning and riding the wind waves back to where we launched.
I have to say I love this boat. It has much more stern rocker and cleaner lines than the Explorer did. It's quick acceleration and responsiveness are second to none. I can't wait to spend more time with it!
Until next time,
Jason
Unfortunate Events
This was posted to the OOPS list serve at 8:04 pm on Saturday, December 5th, by Fred Harsmin.
"I have to make a sad announcement. Dave Graham passed away in a kayaking accident on Saturday. There were 5 of us in conditions well within Dave's capability. He capsized in the surf and was never able to exit of his boat. Greg Clopton paddled up to do a hand of god and had him half way up when a wave knocked him away from Dave and capsized him as well. I went in and got Dave out of his boat, but he was unconscious and not breathing. I tried to give him mouth to mouth but he did not respond. We were just 150 yards from the beach and an ambulance took him to the hospital where he was declared dead.
Neither of us actually saw him capsize so we are not sure how long he was over but as Greg approached he lifted his arm. We are unable to explain why he failed to exit his boat. His helmet was off and floating but there were no bruises visible. The coroner might better be able to the factors that caused this very experienced kayaker to fail to exit. Dave started kayak surfing when he was 15 in the United Kingdom in short boats and began paddling long boats 7 or 8 years ago. He has a roll on both sides but neither of us saw him try. Dave has competed and placed in several kayak surf competitions in recent years and in the summer gets out 2-3 times a week, primarily to Indian Beach in one of his surf kayaks.
Dave will be dearly missed by his many friends and family. He was very bright and full of life. He had a knack for making others smile, and was very giving and well respected in his field at Intel. My personal loss has yet to truly sink in. I have done week long trips with Dave. This summer the two of us kayaked in the San Juans. He is one of my favorite people to paddle with. Diana, the love of his life and soul mate asked us to say a prayer for she and her family in this time of need.
With an unbelievable sadness in my heart,
Fred Harsman"
I met Dave in the summer of 2008 during our BCU Sea 3 Star and immediately we became friends. We were partners for the day, and his cheerful, positive, can do attitude gave me inspiration & confidence sea kayaking in conditions a bit bigger than I had experienced before.
Dave published several kayak surfing videos on Youtube that continue to inspire boaters everywhere, including me. It's easy to see the look of shear joy and happiness on his face when he get's on a wave.
The loss to the kayak community is significant, and serves a harsh reminder of how fragile we are. Our thoughts go to his family. Dave will be sorely missed.
"I have to make a sad announcement. Dave Graham passed away in a kayaking accident on Saturday. There were 5 of us in conditions well within Dave's capability. He capsized in the surf and was never able to exit of his boat. Greg Clopton paddled up to do a hand of god and had him half way up when a wave knocked him away from Dave and capsized him as well. I went in and got Dave out of his boat, but he was unconscious and not breathing. I tried to give him mouth to mouth but he did not respond. We were just 150 yards from the beach and an ambulance took him to the hospital where he was declared dead.
Neither of us actually saw him capsize so we are not sure how long he was over but as Greg approached he lifted his arm. We are unable to explain why he failed to exit his boat. His helmet was off and floating but there were no bruises visible. The coroner might better be able to the factors that caused this very experienced kayaker to fail to exit. Dave started kayak surfing when he was 15 in the United Kingdom in short boats and began paddling long boats 7 or 8 years ago. He has a roll on both sides but neither of us saw him try. Dave has competed and placed in several kayak surf competitions in recent years and in the summer gets out 2-3 times a week, primarily to Indian Beach in one of his surf kayaks.
Dave will be dearly missed by his many friends and family. He was very bright and full of life. He had a knack for making others smile, and was very giving and well respected in his field at Intel. My personal loss has yet to truly sink in. I have done week long trips with Dave. This summer the two of us kayaked in the San Juans. He is one of my favorite people to paddle with. Diana, the love of his life and soul mate asked us to say a prayer for she and her family in this time of need.
With an unbelievable sadness in my heart,
Fred Harsman"
I met Dave in the summer of 2008 during our BCU Sea 3 Star and immediately we became friends. We were partners for the day, and his cheerful, positive, can do attitude gave me inspiration & confidence sea kayaking in conditions a bit bigger than I had experienced before.
Dave published several kayak surfing videos on Youtube that continue to inspire boaters everywhere, including me. It's easy to see the look of shear joy and happiness on his face when he get's on a wave.
The loss to the kayak community is significant, and serves a harsh reminder of how fragile we are. Our thoughts go to his family. Dave will be sorely missed.
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