Wow, what a great time! I guess the third time is the charm. The weather co-operated and we got to
fish. Pulled into Garibaldi Oregon at about noon on friday before tournament day! Got a slip and
nestled "Just Keep Fishing" into her temporary home. Weather was hot. The activity around the docks
was intoxicating. Equipment being readied for the following day. Impressive examples of offshore
fishing machines were launched and paraded around. Each captain looking on and sizing up the
competion. Good natured jabs were thrown around as to who was going to out do who.
The captains meeting was informative and started Team "Just Keep Fishing" off to a running start. We
won a very impressive G Loomis rod during the raffle. Also a hat from G Loomis.
The next morning the crew was on time and we motored out in the growing dawn for the shotgun start.
Just beyond the jetty tips were two Coast Gaurd life boats, spread apart for the tournament boats to line
up between. When the flares were fired signaling the start of the tournament, horse power laden
sportfishing boats launched forward heading west! Soon the forty plus boats were out of sight. Only
one or two could be seen.
Soon the radio chatter was speaking as to how the fishing would go that day for most! Slow, and
scratch were the most often heard. It was late into the morning before we got our first fish to the boat.
It would be nearly 3 hours later before we got another hit. But it was a "Quad" and brought the crew and
captain out of a lethargic stupor!
Now with 5 fish in the boat we felt relieved. You see it was determined that if you had less than five fish
you would go to the gas dock and carry your fish to the weigh in. This was dubbed the "walk of shame."
We had now been relieved of the shameful walk. We picked up three more fish after the quad. Reports
had been coming in about a fog bank developing and so decided to head in with a little extra time in case
the fog was bad. And boy was it. At the jetty tips, visibility was less than a hundred feet. It felt good to
check in with tournament control as we crossed the bar!
Although we did not win the tournament, we did make a good showing. We did beat more teams than
beat us. Of the other two captains that I had a side bet with, I beat one and paid the other off. A great
day on the water! Next year can not come too soon!
fish. Pulled into Garibaldi Oregon at about noon on friday before tournament day! Got a slip and
nestled "Just Keep Fishing" into her temporary home. Weather was hot. The activity around the docks
was intoxicating. Equipment being readied for the following day. Impressive examples of offshore
fishing machines were launched and paraded around. Each captain looking on and sizing up the
competion. Good natured jabs were thrown around as to who was going to out do who.
The captains meeting was informative and started Team "Just Keep Fishing" off to a running start. We
won a very impressive G Loomis rod during the raffle. Also a hat from G Loomis.
The next morning the crew was on time and we motored out in the growing dawn for the shotgun start.
Just beyond the jetty tips were two Coast Gaurd life boats, spread apart for the tournament boats to line
up between. When the flares were fired signaling the start of the tournament, horse power laden
sportfishing boats launched forward heading west! Soon the forty plus boats were out of sight. Only
one or two could be seen.
Soon the radio chatter was speaking as to how the fishing would go that day for most! Slow, and
scratch were the most often heard. It was late into the morning before we got our first fish to the boat.
It would be nearly 3 hours later before we got another hit. But it was a "Quad" and brought the crew and
captain out of a lethargic stupor!
Now with 5 fish in the boat we felt relieved. You see it was determined that if you had less than five fish
you would go to the gas dock and carry your fish to the weigh in. This was dubbed the "walk of shame."
We had now been relieved of the shameful walk. We picked up three more fish after the quad. Reports
had been coming in about a fog bank developing and so decided to head in with a little extra time in case
the fog was bad. And boy was it. At the jetty tips, visibility was less than a hundred feet. It felt good to
check in with tournament control as we crossed the bar!
Although we did not win the tournament, we did make a good showing. We did beat more teams than
beat us. Of the other two captains that I had a side bet with, I beat one and paid the other off. A great
day on the water! Next year can not come too soon!
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The Oregon Tuna Classic