Celeste Rogers
For those who have never gone fishing in their life, here’s the drill. I woke up at 3:30am to get ready to carpool with Greg Wong to Emeryville for a day of salmon fishing. The trip cost $100.00 for a spot aboard the New Seeker that can hold 25-30 people along the perimeter of the boat. It was early in the morning and the line to pay was out the door at the Emeryville Sport fishing office. I had to rent my fishing rod which costs $10.00 a day and a fishing license that contributed $14.30 to the California State Park. I also participated in the “BIGGEST CATCH” $5.00 jackpot. A nice monetary reward for one lucky angler, who can bring home the biggest fish.
At 6 am we were on our way. Out on the bay, with views of San Francisco and passing the Golden Gate Bridge. The ride through the Pacific Ocean was choppy and skies were overcast with no sun in sight. The boat ride lasted 2 hours before the engine was turn off in the middle of nowhere. With the boat rocking left and right and the smell of diesel fuel in the air, it was a perfect formula to make us throw up!! Greg Wong celebrated his inaugural fishing experience with a huge “over the railing” throw up extravaganza. With his condition, he was able to catch a very large salmon and another one within legal limit (>20 inches long).
Captain Harry took us from one location to another in hopes of finding the perfect spot for salmon. We were only allowed 2 salmons per day. After the first fish bit my bait, I was not that interested anymore because I had to learn how to reel in the line quickly. Then I had to learn to cast the line out around 32 feet from where I was standing. I had to make sure that the 2.5 lb. sinker is not released accidentally and not get tangled with the neighbor’s lines and bring up before the boat sped up. There was so much to do. At the bow, the line depth has to be staggered so that the lines do not get tangled too often with your neighbors. Those at the stern of the boat had their lines down at 50 feet, an ideal place to stand to catch the fish. I was cold and miserable and no fish was biting my line. The worst feeling was trying to hold down the nausea which was about to bubble over. I was wondering how long I can endure this torture while we were still so far from land. Finally, I gave in and tossed my cookies. I was ready to fish again!! Not only did I not catch any fish, just 
a few nibbles, but I lost 3 sinkers!!! The sinker ($5 each) is released when the fish bites the bait!!! Imagine all the lost sinkers at the bottom of the ocean. When a fish is “hooked”, the deckhand nets the fish and clubs it to death until it sees stars. The fish is then gutted and tagged so the rightful owner can claim his/her fish at the end of day. The bait itself is a tedious process. Pushing a long curved hook (J) from tail of anchovies on the hook’s head, not the sharp end and leaving the hook exposed. The head of the bait has a nail thru’ the hook’s hole and rubber band tied to it! That way the bait is secured and looks real! The highlight for me was seeing some blue whales in the distance. One came really close by and I took a 10 seconds video of it! Imagine the huge ocean and a view of its back and tail. I saw the blow hole on the head as it released the stream of water! Awesome huge creatures!!!
With every NSC event organized by Karen Soo, you can be sure that this is a well-organized trip. Even though this is not an official NSC event, the well thought plan and information provided has the NSC stamp of approval. Tom and Karen thought of everything that a newbie fishing person like me needs to know. I learned very quickly what to do and how to do it. Tom was very thoughtful and gave me sinkers and set up my fishing pole. He was the first person to catch fish which resulted in winning the jackpot of $90.00. / Not the Deadliest but the Biggest Catch.
Cheers, Celeste
