The kids have spring break, so I got lucky with Wyatt who was willing and who wants a new electric assist mountain bike. He joined me on the James Lee dockside for 3 days to prepare for the trip. I was nervous after a full winter of fairly lethargic behavior. It takes time to settle into the boat and get the feel of its readiness. Out of the safety and security of land life and back into this groove of salty windy air, water, and unsteady motion. This is the first year I have not had a hand in winter crab season so it all can be a bit of a shock if the mind is not right. And the mind cannot be right if the boat is not right. And if everything on land is not tidy and loose ends left hanging. Gotta get virtually all orders into “Ship shape”... For a clear mind headed out to sea for a 5 day trip.

I got to that point late at night Wednesday March 23rd. Wyatt and I had a boatload of groceries, all our supply, and a strong willingness to participate. We went to spend the night in the boat for a first light bar crossing the next day. Wyatt is 14 and stubborn. Wont make a list. “I know! I know! I know!”... Ha! “Fine get yourself all ready”... we are outta here.

We get to the boat... “Dad your going to be mad.”

My initial thought were that he didn’t want to go, or some problem requiring his exit is looming... ”I forgot my boots.”

Cracking up in my head but holding a firm face I looked him in the eye and said, “You need to make a list like I said, and like I do, and quit telling me you know everything!!” We zipped back to the house with me complaining about the hour of lost sleep time to go get the boots.

Crossed the bar and steamed for 34 miles to the chosen spot. That first day was not without difficulty. Somehow that break in the gurdie happened which took some thought on how to work it out and keep all gear fishing. We ended the half day with 11 very nice big fish. After a good dinner and a bit of sleep we heard a Mayday call from a vessel very near us.

Wyatt was in the wheelhouse awake and I came in to join him. The call was rushed and not complete. Sounded very stressed captain who was taking on water. I do not have lights to see out about me at night. #1 on my list for the shipyard before tuna time. The vessel Spring Persuader with Johnny Alto as captain had installed a new searchlight recently and responded to the call for help. He had idea where he had seen the White Swan III last and went to investigate in the dark black night. He gave those 2 people the best chance for rescue. He found the wreckage debris, and the empty life raft. He spent hours searching and communicating with the Coast Guard, but found no sign of life. Very sad, and may that man and woman forever rest in peace. The next morning was a very dense fog which blocked any further vision from the air and sealed the fate of those two fishers...

Day 2 was fairly routine and we landed another 11 fish. On day 3 we got only 6. That is a long day!! We troll for about 13 hours a day… however many hours there are of barely light to barely light...

Day 4 I started to do some gear work while watching some big seine boats gather up mackerel. It was cool to watch them and to hear the cheers from their deck as they loaded the net... We were using my gear from the end of last years season. In the rush to get ready I just put the same stuff in the box and used it. Now, I freshened up all the leaders, got the lengths right, unified all of it in a pattern with only the lures getting the best action of the last couple days. Also I rigged up a wire to test all my electrical voltages around the boat and on the wires. Got things in order and began to improve our catch. The goal is 60 fish. We only have 31 and today and tomorrow to get to 60… The improvement got us to 14 for this day, and the fish were large! The buyer wants to wait til Tuesday to make purchase so we get an extra day and Wyatt gets to miss a day of school. He is not disappointed.

Monday morning we awoke with 42 on the counter. Can we make it to 60?? With Wyatt still crashed out I set the gear at the crack of dawn. Fish... Fish... Gotta wake Wyatt. Fish... Fish... We are gettin!! Late in the day when the wind turned around and became blustery I reached out to a friend. Hey Zeke!! Got a good trip going but can't seem to find 3 more. We are at 57. “Go ahead and call it Bud... You know it's over, just run on in you have had a good trip”

“mmmrrrbblleeeemumble... I don’t know, bet I can slide south a bit and pick up those 3.”

Then I called Kristi. She said come on in. I checked the tide. The bar crossing would be best about 11pm. I am pushing it. I accept it. Fine... “Wyatt let's pull the gear and pick a movie and run on it”... We crossed into the Umpqua River at 11pm.

On Tuesday Mark and Lisa Newell came to purchase the fish. Out of the ice came... 60!!

Lol!! We miss counted! Got our 60 fish after all. Happy!

Three went to the Harbor Lights Restaurant, 1 to the Big Fish Café, and sold a couple to individuals in Reedsport. We kept back a nice springer and one Ivory White Salmon. There were 4 of those in this bunch.

Now to get ice, get out, and get some more. Putting out feelers for anyone interested in purchasing one of these Spring Salmon. You will have to come to the boat to pick it up and pay me cash. $15 per pound whole fish price. Returning Sunday night and need to offload Monday morning...