We just got back yesterday (Friday) from a week at the coast, and I have some interesting things to share. First off, since the coho season down along the coast of Oregon has closed, you should think about this ... chinook fishing often can get hot in 30' to 40' deep water just out from the breaking surf along the coast. This isn't a very safe place to fish, but it is occassionally full of fall chinook migrating and feeding their way in close on their way toward their river of return. I remember several years ago limiting the boat on chinook a few times just a couple hundred feet out from the breakers about 3 miles or so north of Depot Bay. Since downgrading to a smaller boat I haven't tried it for quite awhile. While we were staying at my brother's family beach house near Lincoln City I glassed 3 commercial trollers (not trawlers) catching fish just off the surf. I couldn't keep the bino's steady enough to see if they were chinook, but they were trolling with outriggers (A-arm booms with several lines out each side) so I think they were salmon. Anyway, on a calm and careful day you can do very well trolling in real close like that - especially this summer when the schools are more numerous. ...

Some other interesting and very unusual things happened on Thursday evening while we were down there, and on this Saturday morning, that some of you may be interested in. I am not a believer in the supernatural at all - but I am currently a little more open minded to possibilities after reading some stories and experiencing these unusual occurances. Below is a story sent to me recently by a prominent member of the Piscatorial BB - followed by a letter I sent to him moments ago. And before you read these I want you to know that I haven't gone whacko since losing my brother recently, I am doing fine ... wait a sec, I was already whacko .

This man told me the story of losing his mother and also his 12 year old golden retriever dog near the same time. Soon after, he and his wife saw "angel" images of his mother and dog in an evergreen tree
after this passing. Since they were astounded and didn't think anyone would believe them they took several photos of this occurance - a copy of which he sent to me via e-mail attachment. It's an amazing story and picture! It opens one's mind a bit. (I won't post who the person is or the pic - he would have to do that if he prefers). ... Below is my true story letter sent to him moments ago:

"Hi ***.
Because of your e-mail to me titled 'Have faith', in which you told me the stories of the angels in the tree, I feel compelled to tell you what's happened since my brother passed on. I'm not a strong believer in these types of phenomenon, despite hearing of many like stories; but I now have an open mind to it. ... Since Gary left us, 3 very unusual things have happened to my immediate family and I in recent days. We were at the coast this week staying at his beach house during my son's 2 day golf tournament, and my wife and I went in to play the slot machines at the Chinook Winds Casino for 1 hour and 20 minutes. In that time both my wife and I hit jackpots on slot machines. Neither of us had ever experienced that before in playing them many times; not even close! They weren't big winnings because they were on the nickle machines - 2,500 nickles for me and 1,150 nickles for my wife; $182.50 combined. But they definitely were very big odds against hitting 2 jackpots together in just over an hour! On slots yet. Gary's accident was at the town of Jackpot Nevada. ... Do I think these were co-incidence? Yes. But now I don't know they were. ... Then this morning my son and I won 1st place in the OGA Parent/Junior Golf Tournament at Sah-Hah-Lee Golf Club near the Clackamas River. All these things are unprecidented; and quite remarkable considering that I am a very inconsistent golfer and my son is only slightly better than average scoring in the Oregon Junior's OGA summer tournaments. Co-incidence? To me it's very likely - but I am now open minded about unexplainable events. If my bro is up there somewhere pulling some strings for me I hope he remembers I need a lot of good eggs this fall; I am about on empty.

I just wanted you to hear these true stories for sharing yours with me. Take care ***. - Steve (RT)"

Are there other stories about this type phenomenon? And/or about chinook fishing near the surf? Thanks.

RT

[ 07-21-2001: Message edited by: RT 1 ]

Good to see you're in good spirits RT. I was thinkin last night that I hadn't seen any of your posts for a while, thought you'd recently dropped off of the face of the earth. Either that or you knew where there was some really good fishing somewhere and you were living at the river.
As far as close to the breakers, just north of Oceanside is a little beach. We call it short beach, not sure of the real name. We were down there several years ago and there was crab pot bouy's about one swell length away from where the waves were breaking. Talk about crazy
It's amazing what people will do for that almighty dollar.

Thanks Sinker. I've just been out of town - and going for another week after next. I know the beach you are likely refering to; a very secluded one with marginal access. It's beautiful there between the land points, with that huge rock toward the south end. And you can see the Cape Mears lighthouse just to the north of it. That would be a great place to fish for 'nooks if the Netart's Bay bar were easier to cross! Another place I've come close to crossing is the Salmon River bar just north of Lincoln City, but I couldn't get my buddies to sled over it with me. There is another huge rock just a few hundred yards off the mouth of the river there that gives it a little protection. And the 'nooks should be congregating there soon. Has anyone ever crossed this bar on the upper half of the tide to fish this unique area? I just think it's a great saltwater chinook fishing prospect.

That's the beach RT. Big rock on the south end that you can walk out on.
Beaches like that makes us guys up here not want to go to a WA beach.