Alaska Day 3, Hi Jeanne

Alaska, Day 2, MO'S MONSTERS

Only enough time to show you these!! The biggest of the two, caught by Mo, was 255 pounds!

Alaska, Day 1, 4:00 am

First of all, there'll be no daily blogging and the videos will probably have to wait till I get home. There's only internet in the dining room so far and there's not much time or room in there.

The adventure for many, mostly me, starts today. I'm wearing clothes I've never worn to do something I've never done. Most of what I've heard is that I'll be freezing and barfing all day.

Yesterday was pretty amazing. I feel like I'm back at overnight camp except stepped up a notch or two. The food is great and the accommodations rival a 3 star hotel. The star here so far, though is the scenery. It's just plain magnificent. Mary showed me some pictures she Mo, Jan, and Susan took during their hikes: eagles; bears; salmon spawning; and the most beautiful water/forest landscapes.

I'm in the dining room as all the fisherpeople file in for breakfast before the day on the ocean . From a conversation I just heard I am now wondering: "How am I going to take off all these clothes if I have to go to the bathroom on the boat?" Apparently, the bathroom is little more than a bucket?

I think even the most experienced of us are a bit anxious, but, I'm not naming names.

Artist in the News

Hi All!

I'm doing another Open Studio Tour this weekend and I got included in a nice article. This is in the Santa Barbara Independent. Go to this site and youcan view the article.

http://www.independent.com/news/2008/aug/26/santa-barbaras-studio-artists-open-their-doors/

Alaska, Day Minus 2

I missed the "packing party" designed to answer the questions newbies like me are likely to have. I've been fishing, so, really, I should be able anticipate what will be needed in Alaska, right? And then I get this email from fisherwoman extraordinaire, the Divine Miss M:

The first day fishing in Alaska I was frozen, wet, hypothermic, and was constantly barfing like a rabid animal, because I used the boat's stuff, which is made for big guys. That night, I immediately got my OWN stuff, and Murray's became my holy stomping ground... Millions of different sizes, weights of clothing, just everyfhing. You'll see. Jacqui and I usually go to Sitka for this shopping the first and last day. Great tradition. Since that first Alaska night, I've had nothing but awesome FUN. See you SOOO soon for all these great adventures.

WHAT STUFF?? WHAT IF WE GET INTO SITKA TOO LATE TO HIT MURRAY'S BEFORE FISHING THE NEXT DAY?

Anything you can tell me now would be much appreciated. I'd rather not be a "frozen, wet, hypothermic, barfing rabid animal," if I can help it.

Happy Birthday, Lori!

We're so glad you took the bait and joined the Gold Coast Lady Anglers.

So Excited!! Alaska, Here I come!

I'm going to Alaska on Friday! I believe GCLAs: Mary, Miryam, Jacqui, and Kathy will also be going. Not sure of the others. Can't wait to meet everyone. Such an adventure!!

I'm going to try to post a blog at least once a day and maybe even include a video or two.

If anyone who has been on this trip wants to: give me advice; bring something back (gotta be small, you know the deal with the luggage); or say "hi" to anyone up there, post it as a comment here!

See you in Sitka.

Freedom at Last

Meli, my son Tanner, and I went out for an Overnight Trip aboard the Freedom out of San Pedro's 22nd Street Landing for a shot at the massive amounts of Yellowfin Tuna and Dorado that have been in the counts. Unfortunately everyone else had the same idea...We hopped on board with 34 other anglers and got under way. I was fishing off the back of the boat in the harbor and caught a Halibut!!!!! It was short and tossed back, but I was hoping that was a sign of great fishing ahead....NOT!!!!

We trolled around forever and at 10am I got the one and only jig strike of the day on a black and purple broomtail feather I selected out of my box. Nice Fish!!! 30# Albacore, wrong flavor, but I was so stoked to get it and it got my blood pumping and the skunk off the boat!!!


We found one more small school of fish on the way home under a pod of Dolphin that produced 5 more fish, this time Yellowfin Tuna, No one was home at any of the Kelp Paddies...SO...for 36 anglers the final count was 1 Albacore, 5 Yellowfin...STANKY!
Tommy, the captain, was absolutely wonderful and totally excited to have Gold Coast Lady Anglers on board!!! He even gave us a couple of shirts and 2 hats!!! Thanks Tommy for a great time despite the fishing!!!!

Fishing with Charter Diva Miryam

This was a great fishing trip with a lot of new faces and a lot of folks ready to go fish with us again and again. There were only 2 WSB caught, but Joe and the crew of the Mirage made sure we filled our bags anyway. The weather was overcast but not foggy, no wind and calm seas. We fished off of Santa Rosa and San Miguel. The White Fish were plentiful and of very good size. ( averaged from 2 -4 lbs)

I was reeling up on a heavy bite and Joe was leaning on the rail next to me, peering over the edge and asked me what I thought it was and I told him, I thought it was a good sized whitefish but I would love for it to be a LingCod and to both our surprise - it was a good whitefish and a legal lingcod bonus 2fer. In the end there were at least 4 legal lings caught some great reds lots and lots of great white fish.

And I am very sore now, but very satisfied.

Thanks for a great day M!!!!!

Did You See The Article?

It Was Her Ocean. She Just Let Us Fish In It.

The scenery, weather, company, as well as the Captain and Crew of the Aloha Spirit yesterday were absolutely top notch. A good thing, otherwise all we would have had to do was watch Erika reel in fish every 5 minutes.

Here is Erika in just one of her moments of glory as she dons the coveted fish hat and takes home the Jackpot. The pic, sans Jeanne's arm, (thanks to my husband and photoshop) appears in it's rightful place on our homepage until the next Charter's Jackpot winner takes away the title.

I know there are more pictures and accounts of the trip out there. Anyone?

White Sea Bass - YA HOO!

I got my first white sea bass ever, on Wed. I don't know how much it weighed but it was big enough and gave me quite a run. Very exciting! I got to share my expeieince with 23 guys and Erin- Joe's Wife.

A really special day.

Thanks to everyone on the Mirage - Ryan made it happen for me again!

Happy Birthday Mary!

We'll ALL be thinking of you today.