2020 Tuna Trip 4

Ship's Log August 31st–September 7th 2020

Long Haul Quickie for Fishpatrick’s

Jeff, Seanna, and I left Winchester Bay and headed North to the area off the Columbia River. The fishing was spotty. We ran all around, and finally found a few way up off of Westport Washington. We had a nice day, and saw a lot of boats, but weather was coming fast, and on September 6th the fishing was NOT FISHABLE.

We ran all night south and all day to arrive in Charleston Oregon late night on Sept. 7th. We unloaded 6285 pounds which all went to the processors to be put into Fishpatrick’s labeled cans.

2020 Tuna Trip 5

Ship's Log September 9-September 21 2020

For The Birds

We live about 8 miles up Smith River on a ranch near Reedsport Oregon. The wild fires were beginning to rage and eviction orders were being given throughout the state. There was a hot east wind blowing early in the morning before daybreak, and when I stepped outside with my coffee cup in hand I could taste the smoke, and my eyes were burning. The nearest fires were far enough away not to cause immediate concern, however the feeling was eerie and gave me a sense of unease. I got into the little truck and motored off to get to the James Lee in Charleston and debark upon this trip. My coffee has ashes in it! I drank it anyways and listened to NPR and a big long line of fear mongering bullshit. This media lately!! Covid 19 and now big WILDFIRES!!

Seanna, Apollo, Jeff and I headed out, and shortly after crossing the bar, while still in cell service a brightly colored little land bird flew into the wheel house, took a look around and then flew back out the side door window. I knew we would be seeing lots of that this trip with the smokey skies and the fires, little dudes like this get blown up in the plumes of hot smoke and many end up exhausted at sea unable to land. They rest a bit on commercial boats then fly off to their ultimate end in a watery grave. Over the years I have had many on my different boats, and ALWAYS wish I had a little cage to put them in, feed them bread and water, then return them to land with me. So... I took a gallon plastic clear jug full of Safeway chip treats and put the treats into a gallon bag and made a cool little cage.