This Ship's log is a group of articles written by Patrick Roelle and covers a variety of topics related to fishing for albacore tuna, Chinook Salmon, and Dungeness Crab on the Pacific Ocean.
2019 Tuna Trip 1
Ship's Log June 28-July 7th 2019
Too Early
This year my deckhand is Travis Lively. That last name says a lot. He and I were working together during Dungeness fishing on the Brandy and Travis performed excellent during that season and I was pretty happy to have him join me on this year's adventures. Seanna was a constant onboard presence as well.
We began boatwork on June 14th. I had in mind the basics. Get both engines running (they had new oil, filters, etc from proper winterizing previous season end), get refrigeration system up and running, and all electronics checked out. Add subscriptions to Sirius Satellite for weather, and music/entertainment, etc.
2019 Tuna Trip 2
Ship's Log July 13th-23rd 2019
Big Trouble
Travis and I did routine projects on the boat during the little break. I kept calling out to the guys at sea and getting reports of similar slow fishing scores. At this point (Mid July) most of the boats were prepped and either standing by or trickling out to sea for the hunt. I was very eager to get back out.
So, on 7/13/19 at 4pm Travis, Seanna, and I headed out of Winchester Bay with fresh supplies and a new attitude. I put my heading to the 46W and the 128N. Right about 200 miles to go... On day 2 we got a big zero fish score and kept going..Day 3 we got 7 fish. I was reflecting about the struggle in my log book. Questioning EVERYTHING including the purchase of the boat in general. Mid July and no fish nearby?? SCARY!! Away from my family is one thing when the gettin is good, but away from my family and going bust is another feeling entirely. My sons are 12 and 14. My dream is to have them with me here, so I am WITH my family. We will see about that. I cannot force it on them, and end up blowing them off the boat for good. So, I am all brain twisted in fear and worry and whatnot. We finished this day 4 with 3 (three!!) fish, but were on a spot with a big fleet and many reported good scores here so tomorrow will be IT!!
2019 Tuna Trip 3 Part 1
Ship's Log August 1st-4th 2019
Wyatt Comes, Travis Goes
With the blown genset engine in mind I immediately (at sea) called my banker first. I needed a little reassurance and got that. Then I called my mechanic, Nate Hudson, who luck would have it was available. I remember hitting the dock in Winchester Bay and within a few hours the genset was tore apart, and the next day removed from the vessel. I brought the fresh one in from my shop and we did the job in 7 days total. The season was in full swing by the time we had re-supplied and ready to go.
My son Wyatt made the commitment to the 20 day trip, and Travis was still pretty up-beat about it, but had not earned any $$ yet, so was getting apprehensive.
2019 Tuna Trip 3 Part 2
Ship's Log August 5-7 2019
Alone at Sea
I was stir-crazy not getting any sleep while in Winchester Bay considering the 4 day wait for my new and reliable deckhand Mark Kimball. He had an infection in his hand from salmon poison. He had been guiding in Alaska, was home and done from that, fully available, but this hand infection was a no-goer for pulling tuna. The cost at this point was a ton per day. I explained that to him... I mentally tossed and turned and ultimately fired up my engines, went out and tossed my lines, pulled up my buoys, and motored away from the dock.
It was August 5th. The night was bright and clear, no wind. That dredge, the James T, was operating very near the docks, just right next to the coast guard station. I slid out between them and the herring dock, leaving Winchester Bay at 3am. My mind was set to go out and prove indeed that it was a one ton per day time of year. The fish were not very far out, the weather was great, and I felt very confident. Day number one brought me to the tuna grounds by 7am. It was very surreal. That day I landed 137 average fish this time of year was 11 pounds. I tossed back a lot of peanuts... (fish less than 9 pounds). This first day gave me about 1500 pounds, and I went to bed with Seanna at about 11pm feeling satisfied.
Subcategories
Page 2 of 8
