up to Whidbey Island and down to Coos Bay

We spent the night in Oak Harbor and then took the ferry over to Port Townsend. We continued down 101 by the Hood Canal and showed her Quilcene which had a few thousand broadbill and scoters loafing around. Duck season must be absolutely crazy here. we stopped at Dosewallips unfortunately it wasn't very low so there, massive flats the park is known for were hiding. We hit up our oyster spot and showed her lake Cushman.

View attachment DSC_2201.jpg

the water cranks through this pass so fast its hard to believe, I have seen one spearfishing video here. I'd imagine there are some monster lings down there but it would have to be a carefully planned drift dive with a good captain at the helm.
View attachment DSC_2211.JPG

some of the Quilcene raft
View attachment DSC_2236.JPG

looks like the Elk can't wait for Shrimpfest, which I believe is in May?
View attachment DSC_2241.JPG
 
this was the reason for being preoccupied. i hooked up with a local, off a PNW spearo page on Facebook and got to dive a secluded "locals only" spot. he was a really cool guy and i will for ever be grateful for being able to tag along.

the dive was absolutely epic. we swam out into 4-5ft breakers followed by some big rollers (probably got up to 6 feet when the tide started to turn)in the the lee of a little rock out cropping. half way out i saw a bird break the surface and look at us. it was a harli no more than 20 feet away, i'm sure it was saying, "what the hell are you doing here!" as we got out to the kelp forest we would be hunting i was blown away by the underwater scenery. PNW is an unreal dive site. I got to see tons of Black Rocks, and red striped surf perch (some were really big), real nice kelp greenling, a good size ling but the surge was pushing me around so i couldn't line up on it, there also plenty of invertebrates to look at. I even spooked a nice cabezon off a ledge as i swam past it, they are masters of camouflage for sure!

i was able to manage a limit of blacks and pegged the biggest rainbow perch i could find. it was a great dive and i made a good friend (heck we might even be neighbors soon!)

thankfully he told Nikki after the dive that there was a Great White feasting on some sealions there last month after we got out of the water instead of before. hahaha
View attachment DSC_2278.jpg


we spent that night in coos and cooked up my bounty. the next morning we showed Sarah the north Jetty of the Coquille in Bandon and made our way inland to I-5. We followed the Umpqua river from Reedsport to Drain and cranked all the way up to Oregon City.
View attachment DSC_2282.JPG

we checked out Cartlandia in Portland to grab some food truck food then went to Oregon City brewery. the beer was good, if you have seen the show Portlandia you will understand the crowd there, lol.

we went to Feckin brewery next it was way more laid back and they had live music. it was a cool spot and the beer was good.


it was a great adventure and can't wait to get back south again.
 
Chris~

Thanks for sharing your photo-adventure. I find myself with a big smile everytime you post.

All the best - to you both!

SJS

 
Thank you for sharing the pic's. I see what you mean by the current ripping through Deception pass bridge!
Enjoy it while you can.
 
Camera might be failing, all your photos seem dark :). Seriously, that looks great!

60 here today, nothing too fun to report.
 
snowed the last 2 days. people here have no idea how to drive in it. i thought i was escaping the white devil...
 
Chris you are giving all our secrets away. ;-)

Yes the people over there go nuts in the snow and anymore they do the same on the dry side of the state.

I’m glad you are enjoying the West coast.
 
Last edited:
Very cool Chris. I enjoy following your adventures. The diving and spearing is just so different from anything I have ever done. Thanks for sharing.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top