June 12, 2016: Launch the Ambi...not!

We planned to get our nets in the water at 9 AM on Monday morning, when fishing opened. Captn. Jack's said we would have 17' of water at the time. Gulp. That would mean a deep water set that we weren't prepared for. But first, we would need to get the Ambi in the water. It seemed like a poor idea to try to do a risky deep water set with only one boat with an outboard. One of the most likely outcomes of trying to set the net from the skiff is that the anchor line or the net itself will get fouled in the prop, anchoring the skiff by the stern. Even as I write that, I feel my head shaking with a nope-not-a-good-outcome sort of gesture.

We (well, Jeff) had determined earlier that the Ambi's outboard wasn't working. It seemed to be getting no fuel. It was already past Napa's working hours when the discovery was first made, so we decided to get into town early to work on it today.

We walked in ahead of the weirdly high mid-morning tide, hauling all our gear - waders and their boots, life jackets, rain gear, and gloves. We were optimistic. Here are Jeff and David D who were behind me. Oksanna and David L had already made the turn up the Beach Access Road.

When we got to the skiff, we found that the deck paint from the evening before had dried. Napa wouldn't be open for a while so Jeff and David D took the truck to SeaMar and to LFS trying to find parts for the fuel line. While that was underway, we tried to assure that the Ambi was otherwise ready to go: we needed a way to go, a way to stop, and a way to get the water out. We were rich with bailing buckets because Trevor found us many empty oil jugs that he made into bailers. We double-checked the anchor and fixed the shackles that needed wire and for good measure, we even connected the picking light and tried to connect the radio. Oksanna and David L worked hard to recover a box of tools that had been left marinading in brakish water over the winter. Grrr. Trevor started out helping them, but partway through abandoned the project, saying, "I'm done with this! This is greenhorn work anyway!"

Jeff and David came back with all the fittings for a Yamaha rather than a Honda, but the outboard wasn't picky. That was better, but it still wasn't quite right. Ah, the o-ring on the fitting that connects the fuel line to the engine was worn. They found the needed piece and got it going. Yay! But the steering was frozen up. I knew freeing it involved a 2X4 and a hammer, but I wasn't sure about the details and it seemed they might be important. Roy explained the procedure: the steering rod sticks out toward the port side (because we have to turn the wheel to the starboard otherwise the shifting and throttle cables fray). Then the steering rod seems to freeze there. So spray on miracle stuff, put the piece of wood at the end of the steering rod to muffle the hammer's blow. Then pound on it while one person applies pressure to the wheel and another yarfs on the shaft of the outboard. With the three of us working on it, it came un-stuck. But it needs grease.

Once we were all ready, I made a quick call to Bray to tell him that we were ready to go into the water whenever they could do it. But it was noon and the beach gang decided to have lunch in the mess hall that day. They could launch us at 1 PM. Well, that would probably be too late. The tide would be going out and we would have a hard time making it down to our sites. I've launched before in not quite enough water only to get stranded on the sand bar off the Beach Access Road. So we decided to go home and launch on the evening tide - at about 8 PM.

And there was another problem: the battery in the white truck wasn't starting the engine. Was it worn out? Was there something wrong with the alternator? I called Harry (I'm so glad he's here!) and he reminded me that he has a spare battery in his net locker, so we installed it and the truck started right up. We still didn't know whether it was the battery or the alternator.

Now... how would we launch the Ambi at 8 and have a bonfire at 7? So I called Phil and Harry to say I wasn't sure it would work out after all. Phil said he would come early, just to say hello and show Ron what a genuine set net operation looks like. He called at 6 to let me know that they were leaving Silver Bay and bringing food. Better get a fire going!

The crew sprang into action, boiling eggs and chopping potatoes and onions for potato salad (it was delicious!) and chopping peppers and cucumbers for a pasta salad (also delicious). They were really fast and they produced a delicious meal. At the same time, Jeff and Matt tackled the wash-down system to get that ready for the upcoming week of fishing.

The wind had been building all afternoon and it was beginning to look less and less like a good idea to try to launch the boat on this tide. When Phil arrived, he persuaded me that we would be taking an unnecessary risk to try to bring it down tonight. At stake was being able to fish that morning tide that we weren't really prepared to fish anyway. Yeah, we didn't need to push it. Plus, I wanted some of that potato salad and I wanted a chance to enjoy the bonfire and possibly listen to other people sing! So another phone call to postpone the launch. It was a good choice.

Oksanna took many great photos during the evening. From left to right, here are Jeff, Inku, David L, David D, and Matt. David D created that nifty circle of stones for the fire, at the same time, clearing some of the stones from in front of the stairs.

This is such a beautiful one, just about a silhouette of Inku on the left, trying to fill up Annie's bottomless need for attention, then David D, then Jeff communicating telepathically with Ollie - I think he's telling him that he won't be getting any of that hot dog, and David L who is either in a world of his own, or more likely, is talking to Matt and David N sitting on the next stack of pallets.

Here we all are, except for Oksanna who is behind the camera. Phil on the far left. I'm sitting between him and Ron. David D in all his natural exuberance, Inku's reserved head peeking up over David D's shoulder, then Jeff with his signature beautiful smile, David L - maybe still trying to reassure himself that this isn't some elaborate prank (I can see why he might think that), then Matt, pretty settled in, like this is just who he is and always has been, and David N, taking it all in stride. Come to think of it, it is who he is and always has been.

My sister told me that for a long time, her towering teenaged sons didn't realize they were taller than she was. That seemed like a good strategy to me, so I tried it too. Just don't let David see this photo.

The music started! That would be Phil's doing. I love inviting him to things. He plays the guitar, tells stories, and sings! Matt was joining right in, and so was David D. Matt even sang along to all the verses to Old Time Religion. I was so happy to see that David N was also joining in singing.

As the tide was coming up, Phil declared it was time for him and Ron to get on back to the Fortress of the Goat. They were flying back to Idaho the next day - Tom is getting married!! Phil will be back on July 1. We will miss him in the meantime and I'll do my best to will the salmon to hold off until they can get here.

I planned to take Phil and Ron back to the turnaround where they'd left the Toyota and also leave the truck, out of the way of the tide. David N meant to follow on the four-wheeler so we could take another quick trip with the white truck. I was confused when I saw him coming toward me... with two people riding on the four-wheeler. At first I thought he was giving joy rides and as soon as I had the chance, I reminded him that I didn't want three people riding on the four-wheeler. I didn't realize the two people were Makenzie and Hannah. When I did, I had to retract the reminder because Makenzie and Hannah are so small, they barely add up to one big person. Plus, they are Makenzie and Hannah.

Here are Harry and Makenzie, surrounding David. Apparently Hannah slipped out of our photographic grasp. Well, we'll fix that soon!

While we were taking ol' Red up to the turnaround, the crew cleared off the white truck so we could take it next - we were running out of room on the beach and I was getting nervous.

They got all the dirty plates and utensils upstairs and, singing Sixteen Tons, did the dishes and cleaned the kitchen.

Oksanna took this end-of-the-evening shot. Who could have guessed that a dirt cliff could look so beautiful?