Saturday, April 17, 2010

Shocking

The wife and I decided to check out the coastal cleanup happening today along the Washington Coast.  Their site is Coast Savers.

I've spent some time hiking the coastal beaches in the past and must have had blinders on.  I cannot believe the amount of garbage we were able to pick up in a short time.  Tons of rope, plastic bottles, fishing floats, tires, tuna cans, and miscellaneous junk all along our beaches.  I wish I could say this was an urban beach where the garbage came from local residents or industry, but this was a beach along between the Hoh and Queets Rivers in Olympic National Park.  Shocking that there's so much garbage on the beaches, but just as shocking is where it's coming from... our oceans and our consumption of plastic crap.  We've been working on reducing our plastic consumption before this cleanup and will work even harder now.

I'm ashamed at my past obliviousness towards the garbage on the beach.  Look forward to next year's cleanup along with carrying my own bag to pick up items whenever I get back out there.

Friday, April 16, 2010

Tax Day Zombies

Plenty of brain dead zombies on tax day.  While one could go on and on regarding the tea partiers, I'll leave the low hanging fruit alone.

Tax day is a rough day.  Not only is it a frenzied rush to get taxes mailed to the IRS (for those who wait) it marks the end of the season on the bigger coastal rivers.  Was able to connect with an old friend for a drift on closing day.  Late start, relaxed day.  Lots of boat fishing and a bit of swinging through some of the choicest runs... and plenty of gear fishing too.  Been a while since I've fished gear and it was pretty enjoyable.  I forgot how nice the banter is since most of my fishing this winter has been solo and away from the crowds.

Back to zombies... We drifted below the hatchery trib and all of a sudden the water was seemingly boiling with smolts.  At first I figured it was the large hatch of mayflies, but we soon realized the hatchery had just released their steelhead smolts.  Tons of bumps on the plug rod for the rest of the float... reminded me of the shakers fishing downriggers in the salt.

Nice to see all the seasons on the river this past season.  From frigid cold in December to warmer February to the last day of the season.  Always nice to see fry in the shallows, a short but heavy mayfly hatch, and even a decent sized stonefly.  Spring is here.... soon summer-runs and saltwater salmon.