We had a lot of fish on this morning's tide - more than 12,000 lbs and most of those on the flood. In the dark. In the fast tide. When we took the Ambi to the beach to deliver, we had to wait a little bit because another skiff was already there. Our skiff was riding low with almost 4000 lbs on board so when a big wave got us broadside, we took on a lot of water. Together with the 4000 lbs of salmon on board, we started taking a lot of water. The only thing you can do then is bail!! And don't stop bailing even if another wave comes in. Brad, on the Gehl, worked quickly to get the weight of the salmon off (more waves! Bail!), As soon as she could, Sarah got us pointed bow to the weather while Roger and Chris bailed valiantly (and successfully). Anyway, it got the boat clean and all was well.
The power roller is fully functional on the Bathtub (they were happy!) The propane truck is working (I think). The New Boat is still out of service. Roy will check on the part tomorrow.
The mud remains difficult, but David is adjusting to it and has become the Ranger Captain. The crew is in a rhythm (that doesn't really involve much showering or dishwashing - we just put the next meal over the remains of the previous one and try to think about the perpetual soup pot in reputable restaurants). Roger remarked that it comes down to eating, sleeping, and certain other bodily demands - and we can only choose two. Showering, checking Facebook, cleaning house, laundry - those don't even make the list. They all know how to do all the needed tasks and they are all willing to do it. It really is a great crew.
We have an opening that starts at 1:30 am and goes for two tides. It should be an easy walking set (except it'll be dark and the tide will be fast, rising about a foot every 15 minutes). We'll fish the flood - we've been loading up on the flood of that tide so the beach gang has been parking their trucks down by the site and then bringing the Gehl down while they can still cross the creek (when the tide gets high, the creek gets wide) so they'll be here when we need them. So far, so good - except last night, they ran out of capacity and had to wait till the tide dropped this morning to do anything about it.
We'll probably work the flood until about 5 or 6 (high water, about 24'), then go take an hour's nap and come back out to wrap up the ebb, finishing at about 10. Then we'll go back out again for the next tide at about 2:30 in the afternoon and because it's such a short tide (16'), we'll probably stay out the whole tide till 8 or so.
We're rotating people out, two at a time, to sleep through tides (except I insist that everyone be out there for the sets - those can get dangerous fast and I want to stack the deck in our favor just in case). Today was my turn.
I ran into town to try to find some gloves, replacement buoy lights, and to freeze some kings. I was inspired as I drove past the D&D and stopped in (in full fishing gear) to order some pizza and salads - a rare (and expensive) treat. I thought they were good. Evan said, "Please." I guess it's a New York thing.
The weather has been quite windy and cold. It's good for the fish and for fishing; it's hard on us. The last two days have been windy and sunny/cold/sunny/cold. Sometimes sweating; sometimes shivering. A clear day does produce a more beautiful sunset. One other newsworthy item: Yin saw the picture of the bullhead that Chris was holding in an earlier post and said that those are eaten in China. My question was, "How?"
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