I got the opportunity to fish aboard my friends boat up in the San Juan’s and I was happy to drive the 2.5 hours to make it happen. I’ve only been able to make it out up there a few times, but the scenery and experience never lets me down. The fishing for fish can be pretty awesome at times as well.
Blackmouth fishing in the San Juan Islands is generally a hot or cold affair. All the reports were suggesting the action was pretty good on the north side of the Archipelago, with mostly shakers on the outside.
Outside is the local island lingo for the western side exposed to the Strait. We were fishing just after one of the big Blackmouth tournaments, so the water had all been pounded pretty good.
A few hours into fishing some good water with amazing amounts of bait, my rod went off and as I reeled down I could feel the head shakes of what I concluded must be a nice salmon. I was down about 100 ft of downrigger cable, right in the mud with my Pro Troll blinky flasher and hoochie.
These lighted flashers are all the rage these days with claims of great results.
The supposed salmon fought me all the way to the boat. You know how it is when you sense the fish is close to being visible and ready to be netted.
The anticipation and excitement is palpable.
You can imagine my surprise when my “fish” emerged from the depths with what appeared to be…no was actually, a set of wings.
In fact, my fish was not a fish at all but a bird. Should I take catching a bird at 100 ft as a sign these lighted flashers are hugely effective!?
Apparently the Muerrlett (a species of diving bird) can dive over 100 ft down to forage for food.
I’m not sure if this was exactly the species of bird I hooked on that day, but it made for quite a cool experience.
It was easy to unhook the bird (unharmed) and send it on its way. We ended up coming up empty that day, but nonetheless, I never came away feeling anything but filled up by the experience of being out there on the water of the San Juan Islands.