Gone Fishin'

As we eased onto the California freeway, the morning was still dark.  The rumble of the tires across the rough road filled the quietness.  Chase and I were anticipating our first fishing trip on San Francisco Bay.

Kade had been waiting impatiently for this fishing trip to celebrate the first day of spring break~though he is a seasoned ocean fisherman.

Pulling into the marina, it was quiet.  The rows and rows of boats moored to the docks moved gently in the glassy water of low tide.

Our fishing group slowly straggled onto the boat. The horizon showed evidence of the dawn that was coming before the captain eased the boat out into the waters.

In the cool morning, the boat breezed across the Bay to the north.  I sought shelter in the cabin.

Slowly the day lightened under the cover of fog and clouds.  Finally, the boat slowed and we were instructed to lower our fishing lines. Since salmon season hadn't started, we would be fishing for halibut and striped bass.

The boat trolled and we all waited and watched in anticipation, but the fish were not jumping too quickly for our anchovies.

Patience.

Chayse snagged the second catch of the day (but it was first in our family) with a little help from the deckhand.

It was a nice striped bass. She was so excited she was grinning for an hour!  (Plus she beat her brother!)

And then she snagged another...though this little guy had to go back.  She was practicing holding him with her fingers~thus the expression of delight on her face!  Though after a little practice, she was soon handling fish like an old pro.

With more patience required, the rest of us waited for the clouds and fog to lift...and then admired the scenery.

 But even a quiet morning fishing is better than school!

Plus nothing beats chilling' with daddy!

Then alas Kade reeled in a nice bass!

And a halibut!  He wanted to catch a halibut just to see what they looked like!

And even mom got in on the action!

It was a picture perfect day.  The Bay was calm.  The sun was shining.  The scenery was stunning.

I don't think I am quite ready for the rough ocean yet...nor the fight of the big ol' salmon...

But this day I will never forget...the smiles...the good-natured bantering...even the occasional tangled line...and the call of "fish-on!" and the scurry to reel and net.