Last nite found yours truly and third year apprentice rodholders Rob and Angela touring the pool, towing a couple of plugs just in case.
Halfway thru we noticed a boat from the south end heading resolutely towards the Clubhouse, as if they had a fish aboard.
We were a bit surprised as we had heard no cry of FISH ON!! nor noticed any boat outside the pool with an angler fighting a fish.
We were caught up in the ebb tide and I was rowing steadily even as we slowly slipped backwards, backtrolling towards the bar, when we saw one of the guys lift a dark fish from the boat and carry it to the scale. Watching closely it appeared to have made weight, judging from the audibles, and shortly thereafter we heard three good rings on the bell.
Turns out the angler was Bob Main, newest member of the Tyee Club, and he was rowed by Martin Buchanan, now a successful Rookie Rower as this was his first Tyee rowed.
Here's the happy couple with their catch.
This morning I found out why we hadn't noticed it being caught as it was hooked way south of the pool beside the old Argonaut Wharf, (now Nystar) early in the evening before most people were out. They had missed one upon arriving there initially so stayed there and hooked their fish a bit later, almost at high tide.
Examining the fish it appears to be one that has ventured up into the estuary once or twice, using up energy and body mass in the process, before dropping out and down in the flood tide to where Bob and Martin hooked it. It was 42" long and in prime shape would have been a mid 30's fish weight-wise, were it not so mature.
Sadly, this is indicative that no new fish have shown up, but we'll be out again tonite, just in case.
Good going to Bob, who was too excited to ring the bell himself I'm told so directed Martin to do it, and to Martin too.
Apparently the plug was a recent gift to Bob from his brother, a commercial fisherman, and was given with the instructions to try it out as it had caught a lot of fish before, specially late in the season.
Magic plug or flukey coincidence??
Who knows??
That's fishing. LOL
Take care.