Contest Announcement

I'm a little late posting this here, but I wanted to share this with you. We're running a global clean-up contest on our Facebook page for Out of Sight, Out of Mind, with monthly prizes from our sponsors. Rules below.

Contest Announcement From Out of Sight, Out of Mind
To enter, simply "like" our Facebook page. To compete for monthly prizes, all you have to do is remove trash from any waterway using a human powered craft. Submit pictures to our FB wall of the removal and proper disposal of the garbage. The person/group with the most garbage removed at the end of each month will win prizes from our sponsors. July's winner will win free shoes from KEEN FOOTWEAR!

I hope to see you there!

Jason

TRIP REPORT: Kayak Fishing San Juan Islands, Wa. June 2-5/2011

 

We launched our kayaks out of Deer Harbor, at the SW corner of Orcas Island on June 2nd and paddled towards the Wasp Islands. Three to four foot wind waves, fifteen kt winds, and a bit of drizzle greeted us as we left the shelter of the harbor and made our way across the channel to Reef Island. When we reached the reef, we dropped our jigs and began fishing. 

Within fifteen minutes, one of my clients, Eric, hooked up with a fish. This was Eric's first time kayak fishing, and he elected to keep the rod and reel stowed and use a hand line. "Pull up faster!" I shouted as I made my way over to his boat to assist. Eric replied with a grunting, "I'm pulling as fast as I can!" Eric is not a small guy. If that was as fast as he could retrieve the line, then it must have been a nice lingcod. Eric had brought the fish to the surface a few seconds before I arrived next to his boat. The moment I arrived to assist, the fish bounced a bit and flopped off the hook. I got a good view of it before it swam away, and it looked to be 30-32 inches and quite healthy. Eric was stoked to have hooked his first fish with the hand line. I did not dwell on the loss, as it seemed to be a solid indicator of productive fishing to come and I was sure there would be another just like it in a few minutes.

Twenty minutes went by and Gary hooked up with, and released an undersized lingcod. We made our way over to McConnel Island to one of my most productive spots and worked it hard for two hours without a bite. Something was amiss.

If the Wasps weren't going to give me a fish every 15 minutes, I thought Steep Point on Orcas Island would. So we paddled back across the channel to the West side of Orcas. We fished Steep Point for an hour or so with no bites. I tried to deduce why the fishing was so slow, but couldn't see any big indicator. I decided to drop a line down to see if there were fish here or not. I immediately hooked up with a 22 inch lingcod, and decided we needed to focus more on technique the next day.

We woke early the next morning and launched out of Deer Harbor. Blue skies and sunshine, flat water, and 10kt winds were the rule of the day. We paddled across the channel to Jones Island and began jigging. In several hours of fishing, Eric boated a nice lingcod, and we caught and released a few copper rockfish. 

 

 

This was definitely much less productive fishing than what I have grown accustomed to in the San Juans, and I began to ask around to see how other guides were fairing. It turns out that we were actually doing better than every other group out fishing. All of the guides had cancelled the remainder of their trips for lingcod season because the fish just weren't biting. This was disappointing to hear, but it did make me feel pretty good about the lingcod we had caught.

On Saturday I decided to pull out all the stops. We tried new colors, lures, and techniques to no avail. At one point I hooked a flounder on a black jig 10 feet off the bottom over rocks. Things were just weird. We pounded it out for several hours with only a couple of rockfish and undersized lingcod to show. 

It's like the saying goes, "A bad day of kayak fishing is still a good day of kayaking." and the island's couldn't have produced more beautiful weather for us to enjoy.....although I'd have like to have caught more fish! The last day of the trip we decided to take it easy, have a nice breakfast, and catch the noon ferry back to the mainland. All in all it was a great trip, and I'm looking forward to next year. 

I'm headed out on a scouting trip in the Strait of Juan De Fuca/Olympic Peninsula in the next few weeks to look for possible locations for future trips. The lingcod season is longer in the Strait, and we wouldn't have to deal with the ferry coming back from Orcas on a Sunday. The conditions can be a little more challenging in the Strait, but the fishing might be better. I will keep you posted on those guided trip options and announce them here first.

Guided Kayak Fishing 2011

This year I've decided to run two 4 day kayak fishing trips in the San Juan Islands, WA, during lingcod season.

The first trip is set for Thursday May 26th through Sunday May 29th, and is for those wanting to fish from sea kayaks. We'll focus on fishing for lingcod with hand lines while multi-day touring. We'll establish base camp on Jones Island, off the SW corner of Orcas Island and learn the skills necessary to do a multi-day sea kayak fishing trip of your own. We'll cover more miles and be a bit more exposed to conditions than the resort based trip in June. Your guides, meals, camp fees, tackle, and hand lines are included in the price. Kayaks & paddling gear can be provided at no additional cost to you if necessary. You will need to supply your own camping gear, toiletries, personal items, and purchase a Washington fishing license.

The second trip is scheduled the following week; Thursday June 2nd through Sunday, June 5th, and is for those wanting to fish from sit-on-top kayaks. For this trip we'll establish base camp at West Beach Resort on the NW side of Orcas Island. On this trip fishing is the main pursuit and will occupy the vast majority of our time in the San Juans. Camping at West Beach offers amenities such as hot showers, running water, flush toilets, and a small store on sight with latte's & ice cream....less rustic than the May trip and perfect for those more interested in catching fish than back country camping. Camping at West Beach allows us to have vehicles, which allow us to find places to fish even when the wind is blowing hard & currents are uncooperative. We'll use them to get to different fishing locations so we spend more time fishing and less time paddling to where we need to be to catch fish.  Your guides, meals, camp fees, tackle, and hand lines are included in the price. Kayaks & paddling gear can be provided at no additional cost to you if necessary. You will need to supply your own rod & reel, camping gear, toiletries, personal items, and purchase a Washington fishing license. Wall tents with queen size beds and cabins are available through West Beach Resort for an additional fee.

Cost for both trips is $650/person. Basic kayaking skills are required. One of the great things about fishing saltwater in the San Juans is there is no/very limited swell. There is current and potential for wind however, and your trip will be more enjoyable if you have a some previous kayaking experience. If you don't, it's no problem, we can arrange a lesson for you prior to the trip.

I love kayak fishing the San Juans and I look forward to sharing the good times with you!

Please feel free to contact me should you have any questions or need additional information.

Jason Self
Alder Creek Kayak & Canoe
503-285-0464
jason@aldercreek.com

Adventure With Purpose Summit 3/18/2011

I'll be giving a presentation on the subject of sponsorships and talking about my current film project "Out of Sight, Out of Mind" at the Adventures with Purpose Summit Friday, March 18th from 1:30-2:30pm PST. Should be a pretty cool event. If you're in the area, stop by and check it out. Details below:

ADVENTURE WITH PURPOSE 

To go…not simply “because it is there” but “to inspire change.”

Panel presentations from industry experts on:
• Building Online Communities
• Sponsorship
• Building Purpose in Outdoor Programs
• Marketing and Outreach
• Effective Fundraising

Summit will also include:
Adventure with Purpose Expo: Visit tables with information on the next season’s events, adventures, expeditions and gear.
Dates/Times: March 18, 2011
Summit: Friday 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Expo: Friday, noon – 2 p.m.
Location: Mt. Hood Community College
26000 SE Stark St. Gresham, OR 97030

Registration for Summit and Expo:
Pre-registration required
For more information:
Visit: mhcc.edu/AWP
Call: 503-491-7235
E-mail: Workforce.training@mhcc.edu

Adventure – To go, not simply “because it is there” but “to inspire change.”
The Pacific Northwest offers some of the most spectacular mountains, trails, rivers and coastline in North America. This unique environment has created leading athletes and organizations in the outdoor industry. Today’s athletes and organizations are going beyond reaching summits, descending rivers, traversing continents and setting records. They are using events, adventures and expeditions to inspire change and raise support for charitable organizations, that influence positive change in a range of issues including health, the environment and human rights. Mt. Hood Community College presents the first summit exploring the community, collaboration and best practices for the emerging culture of adventures with purpose.

Who should attend:
• Social-, Environmental- and Health-related non-profit organizations
• Outdoor gear and clothing manufacturers
• Outdoor adventure guides, instructors and students
• Outdoor event planning agencies
• Print/Broadcast/Web Media
FUNDRAISING | AWARENESS | ADVOCACY | CHANGE

A Free One-Day Summit on Successful Outdoor Events, Adventures & Expeditions Supporting Charitable Organizations

ADVENTURE WITH PURPOSE FILM FESTIVAL
In cooperation with McMenamins Edgefield and Team River Runner, Mt. Hood Community College
presents the ADVENTURE WITH PURPOSE FILM FESTIVAL
LOCATION:
McMenamins, Edgefield
DATE/TIME:
Friday, March 18 from 7 to 9 p.m

I hope to see you there!

-Jason

Free Kayak Fishing Clinic

I will be giving a free clinic on "Saltwater Fishing and Crabbing from a Sea Kayak", Monday March 7th, at Alder Creek Kayak & Canoe from 7-8:30pm. We will discuss simple and inexpensive methods for catching fish and crab to supplement your fresh food intake on multi-day kayak trips. Hand line fishing & jigging is the focus. The Alder Creek shop is located at 200 NE Tomahawk Isl. Dr. in Portland, OR. Check out the Alder Creek website for directions, or give us a call at 503-285-0464 if you need additional information.

I hope to see you there!

-Jason

EXPEDITION ANNOUNCEMENT: "Out of Sight, Out of Mind"

I apologize for the lack of posts over the last two months. I've been hard at work on my biggest kayak fishing trip to date. After many moons of pitching and planning, we're finally ready to announce the details.

EXPEDITION ANNOUNCEMENT:

"Out of Sight, Out of Mind"
Gulf of Mexico Kayak Fishing Expedition

November-December 2011 

The dispersant released under water at the source of the Deep Water Horizon oil leak in the Gulf of Mexico has never been done, and the effects are unknown. Scientist have found enormous plumes of microscopic oil particles hundreds of feet below the surface. It's been shown that a small combo of dispersant and oil can alter DNA in creatures at the bottom of the food chain, which makes the effect an inheritable trait. This "toxic salad dressing" of crude oil, chemical dispersant, and sea water will work its way up the food chain, into all living organisms, and onto our tables. 1/3 of the seafood consumed in the US comes from the Gulf.

 

Our project, dubbed "Out of Sight, Out of Mind", (outofminds.com is under construction as we speak.) aims to see what effect this undersea dispersant has had on the wildlife. We will observe wildlife and collect samples where allowed with the least invasive sport fishing techniques possible. The key to sampling via kayak is that we can work the shallow estuaries, mangrove swamps, flats, and reefs that power boats cannot, as well as the deeper waters off shore. We can approach wildlife with a level of stealth unobtainable with any other craft, and we travel at a slow pace in order to get a more accurate sense of place.

Our title refers to the fact that somewhere underneath the surface, 4.9 million barrels of oil are still hiding out of sight, and the Gulf has slipped from peoples minds. The effects from this spill are long term and still not fully understood. We're looking for the "canary in the coal mine" fish; An indicator of the effects of the toxic salad dressing on life in the Gulf.

As we travel the Gulf Coast, we will document our experience through video and still imagery, interweaving interviews with local people, (sport & commercial fisherman, oil industry reps, sea kayakers, kayak fisherman, surfers, etc.), incredible scenery and wildlife (tarpon, snook, speckled trout, redfish, goliath grouper, bonefish, permit, gators, crocs, sea turtles, snakes, and 500,000 birds) as well as kayak surfing and fishing action with the goal of producing a documentary film of our experience. 

Beginning November 1^st, 2011, Chris Bensch, Shay Bickley, and I will spend a week in each of the following locations camping, touring, recording observational data, and fishing via sea kayaks (surfing when we can); Padre Island National Seashore (TX), Delta National Wildlife Refuge (LA), Gulf Islands National Seashore (MS), Everglades National Park (FL), and Key West NWR (FL). Along the way we will kayak the major industrial areas, including the Houston ship channel, Mobile Bay, and Pensacola to contrast the natural areas. 

Our end goal has many facets, but the overall mission is to promote the ecological importance and intrinsic value of the Gulf of Mexico in the wake of the largest human caused, single-event ecological disaster in recorded history.

We'd like to thank those companies supporting our project so far:

Kokatat

Werner Paddles

Tiderace Sea Kayaks

Keen Footwear

Thule

We're still looking for businesses interested in supporting our project. Current opportunities exist for outdoor/active clothing, sunglasses, tents & sleeping bags, fly rods and reels, campers/trailers, and vehicles. If you or someone you know is interested in working with us, please contact me at jason@aldercreek.com


I will keep you posted on my kayak fishing antics here, but future posts specific to this project will appear at www.outofminds.com from now on. As soon as it goes live in the next couple of weeks , I'll announce it here first!


-Jason