Nisqually Delta

I'm headed to the Nis Delta Sat morn in search of chums. 0700 launch from Luhr Beach if anyone would like to join in. Weather and tides look good. I don't know if they are in yet, but I intend to find out.

Directions:

From North on I-5 exit 114 to Martin Way. Turn right on Meridian.

From South on I-5 exit 111 veer right, and strait through the round about. Turn right at traffic light onto Marvin, then left at the second light onto Martin Way, then left on Meridian a few miles up the rd

On meridian exit right out of round about and watch for green signs for public fishing. It You will deadend @ the launch you can't miss it. I drive a red Subaru Forrester with a NWKA stick in the rear window.

It was a picture prefect launch this morning, cold but nice. The girl that works the wildlife center said they had been catching silvers just the other side of DuPont for the last few days. Perfect, that's where I was heading anyhow. 100 yards from the launch a heavy fog set in, and I could barely see past the bow of the yak. I just kept paddling strait while riding the tide, and prayed that a PB didn't mow me down. I had been at it for quite a bit, and had no idea where I was. Then I saw a vague outline of treetops, and the FF said I was in about 55 FOW. I dropped anchor and started tossing my favorite flounder jig until I could get my bearings. 1 1/2 hours, and 30 flounder later the fog was thinned out enough for me to realize I had no idea where I was. i pulled anchor and paddled back the way I came, when I recognized the entrance of Amsterdam Bay on Anderson Island. I still have no idea how this happened. by the time I had made it back around to the delta, I was too tired and my feet too cold to fight the tide and paddle to my original spot. A salmon would have been nice, but I still boated 30 flounder, and brought 6 home. The big guy in the middle measured 25". So I learned that A compass is in immediate order for the Fish 'n' Dive, and my second yak will have one as well as a GPS/FF combo.

Man you can't go fooling around in the fog without a GPS.  You can get one for like 99$ and get a RAM mount for $25 or a Pelican case to keep it in for like 14$.  I learned my lesson back in February 2001, when I found myself at 7000+ feet in a white out on the south side of St Helens.  GPS = MUST HAVE.  This area of the country is just too unforgiving with the cold and rain.

And uh, I'm off to mount my GPS now (just picked up the RAM mount today)

you can use compass and stop watch if you know what the current and wind are doing and learn how to use them w/ chart. I recommend learning how to nav in the fog with compass & watch as well as having a gps. batteries die sometimes.

Nice looking flatties rav.

Wish I could have gone.... but unless I happened to mount my compass to the bow (often don't) I would've been no help at all...DAMHIK

I've got a Garmin Rino GPS/two way radio, but I haven't been taking it on the boat. For the fishing I have been doing, I just didn't see a need. I have been humbled, and a compass will be installed stat.

Richie makes a dash type mount compas with internal light.  Purchased mine through Boston Harbor Marina the local Hobie dealer. Great folks.
It mounted just as Hobies picture shows.
holt

Richie makes a dash type mount compas with internal light.  Purchased mine through Boston Harbor Marina the local Hobie dealer. Great folks.
It mounted just as Hobies picture shows.
holt

Just an option, not necessarily better...  suunto pioneer has a luminous dial that is easy to read comes with a mounting clip that is permanently affixed to the deck, while the compass housing can be removed while you are cartopping.  It is durable and tested for 65 MPH (upside down on top of my car by mistake).

I'm still trying to get my flatfish straight.  Anybody want to definitively ID them?  It looks to me like there are 5 right-eyed and one left-eyed (lower-right) which also has more distinct barring on the fins.  I'm guessing 5 starry flounder and ?

Demonick,

The big one sure looks like it would be a rock sole.  Most of the others look like they are also starry flounders like the one at the bottom right, just that the colors aren't showing as well.  As for right or left eyed, google says that starry flounders are 50/50.  Very nice catch imho Rav.

I've ABsolutely got to get down to the Nisqually and fish with Rav so I can pick up some of those!  I've been dying to see how they each taste when compared side by side.  By coincidence, I've also been wanting to try out the delta for flatfish for a long time too.  Btw Rav, I sport a Garmin GPS MAP172 fishfinder so we can easily find our way back to the launch point.  I have to admit that I don't like the idea of fishing in a fog bank though.  Way too easy to get hit by a PB.

Fishin-T

The big one, and the other with the striped fins are starry flounder. Those are the only ones I can id 100% of the time with their striped fins and rough skin. You just can't really see the big guys fins in this pick. The texture of their flesh is entirely different as well. I'm not completely sure, but I believe the rest to be butter sole.

http://www.dfw.state.or.us/MRP/finfish/sp/buttersole.asp

On second thought I'm 100% the other 4 petrale sole.

http://www.dfw.state.or.us/MRP/salmon/FishID/Eopsetta_jordani.jpg

Rav... when you hitting the delta again.

SG

Most likely in a week or so. I'll only be able to go out maybe two more times before I head out of country for a few months. I'm taking two weeks off starting next weekend through the 1st week of Dec to fish, bow hunt, and get in some good family time. I'll post on the when's as I figure them out.

Rav,
Let me know when you're heading out. Weekdays are great for me, but can do some weekends too. We'll need to hook up ahead of time so I can see what you use for the flatfish. I'd like to try some flies for the chum.
Dan