February 2024 Anglers Unlimited Newsletter
Happy leap year!
WOW! What a fun-filled month! Scott and I kicked off our month at the Seattle Boat Show with 5 seminars this year.
We talked about downrigger fishing for salmon, razor clam digging, and how to not kill your partner when you are new to fishing together, and hosted two incredible panels this year - one with NW fishing experts and friends of ours from Skagit County and one with women that fish.
It was a freaking blast! If you were able to attend any of our sessions we would LOVE your feedback for next year!
Access to our slides will be available for our paid subscribers later this month (thank you so much for your support!).
If you are new to our corner of the internet, check out our January newsletter to learn a little more about who we are and what we are about at Anglers Unlimited.
We also gave a presentation at our local Puget Sound Anglers chapter in Fidalgo - San Juan Islands on ‘How to get started Lingcod fishing.
All of this talking about fishing is getting me FIRED up for the season this year! Scott is booking charters now for halibut, lingcod, and salmon - if you want to get on the schedule you can book with him HERE.
Housekeeping & Exciting News!
We will be hosting our first-ever in-person Halibut School twice this year!
Super pumped to kick those off in April and May. If you want to learn how to catch your first halibut, then check out our class!
April 13th - Classroom
April 14th or 15th - Charter Dates
May 10th - Classroom
May 11th or 12th - Charter Dates
Fill out the waitlist form here to be the first to know when doors open to book seats - limited seats are available for the VIP charter opportunity, but anyone can join the fun in the classroom for the day! These classes were a BLAST last year. This year, we have a new venue and a TON of new and updated maps and information to help you catch your first flatty from your boat!
**Class is located in Anacortes, WA**
If you want to learn to fish for halibut from YOUR boat, then this class is for you!
Click here to get on the waitlist.
And finally, the most exciting news for Scott and me this month was that we got hitched!
I am SO thrilled to call him my fishing partner, husband, and best friend for life. We got married on the boat in the San Juan islands on 2/14/24 and could not be more excited for continued adventures together.
Speaking of adventures, there is a TON of fun coming up in the next few months, let's dive in!
What we are about
We love helping people catch more fish and have more fun the next time you take the boat out. This newsletter will evolve over time and with your feedback.
Thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule to read our newsletter. We look forward to connecting with you in our corner of the internet.
Gear we can’t get enough of
This month I am giving a shout-out to Salmon Sisters extra tough boots. I love them so much I wore a brand new pair on my wedding day. Nothing like some new shorties under a fancy dress to make a girl feel pretty and ready to go play in the mud. Best move ever because I had complete comfort for the duration of the day…lots of walking, standing outside, and on the boat, which is why I went for the boots over heels. 😂
From a practical standpoint, I highly recommend these boots, as they are easy to slip on and off, great for clamming on muddy beaches, or as ‘house shoes’ for a trip to the mailbox. I have a pair of tall extra tough boots and a second pair of the extra tough shorties, as I have found having a boat pair and a house pair handy.
As an avid hiker, good footwear is a MUST to keep me pain-free for an active lifestyle - if you run, backpack, or hike long distances, and use inserts like Superfeet of any kind, I do recommend grabbing an extra pair for your boots! It is a game changer on the water having really comfortable shoes for long days on your feet.
Adventuring
Scott and I live a life of adventure. This month we spent some time in the San Juan islands during the winter and it did not disappoint! There is something magical about these waters on a cold, crisp day without the hordes of boaters that you see during the summer months.
Our Recommendation: Spend a Winter Weekend on Sucia Island
Sucia Island State Park is a 564-acre marine park with 77,700 feet of shoreline. Sucia is considered the crown jewel of the state’s marine park system. It is consistently ranked as one of the top boating destinations in the world. During the Summer it can be PACKED with boats anchored in every cove.
We stayed in February on a Saturday night and although there were a few boats in Fossil Bay, most of the island we had all to ourselves. It was a perfect mix of fun chatting with other boaters and sharing a fire, to complete solitude and silence connecting with nature and each other. It truly is a gem in the San Juan Islands and should not be missed!
Getting There
Sucia Island is only accessible by boat. You can get there via your own boat or you can hire a boat shuttle service or private water taxi.
Sucia Island⬇️(Circled In red)
Options for boatless adventurers:
Contact Scott with Anglers Unlimited
Outer Island Excursions Water Taxi
Tips for a Sucia Winter Boating Adventure
Check the wind before you go, there is nothing worse than being on anchor or a mooring buoy when you are getting pummeled by the wind. There is a reason docks are pulled during winter months, we can get big tides swings, and big weather! Playing in the islands can be amazing in Winter, but definitely set yourself up for success when planning a trip. My favorite wind app - Sailflow, even though we do not sail. :)
Pay the fee - Fee information here. Make sure you have a dinghy to get to shore or grab a spot on the Fossil Bay dock to get island access and pay the fee. You can also anchor for free.
Plan to have a fire using designated fire rings.
Have friends or family that you want to bring, but not enough space for them to sleep on your boat? No problem, this location has a TON of great campsites and even some day-use shelters for picnics.
During low tide, do some shellfish harvesting!
Bring a small shovel
Bring oyster-shucking knives and fixins
Check the rules and regs before harvesting
Fossil Bay has a dock available in winter months, you can still grab mooring buoys in other coves if you have a dingy. Most docks are pulled during winter months in the SJIs.
Plan on coming prepared to hike. There are a TON of trails on Sucia. Great for a morning run or a walk with the family.
Ewing Cove is worth the walk
HAVE FUN
Did you know Sucia Island is the home to Washington’s FIRST dinosaur??
Check out the details here
Click here to view the full-size map
Fishing for a reason
We didn’t intend to get married on Valentine's Day, but due to some unforeseen logistics of an Island Elopement, it worked out that way and we could not be happier!
Getting married has had me reflecting a TON…
…on life
...on love
…on how beautiful, fun, exciting, challenging, frustrating, real, and raw this journey can be at every twist, turn and plot change!
One thing that keeps surfacing is how much fishing has played such a central role in our relationship. We met in a Fishing club, became friends during a fishing derby, and have since made some of the most incredible memories together on the water. Reflecting back, sure there were some epic fishing moments full of doubleheaders, massive kings, lingcod, shrimp, and halibut for DAAAYS…
Yet, some of our most magical moments were the “in-betweens.”
The game of crib that turned into 5.
The night by the fire with new friends we met at that dock.
The conversation we had while fishing with a client that turned into tears of understanding and connection.
The makeshift coffee pour-over experience when I forgot the French press
(paper towels can work as filters).
The laughing hysterically over something so stupid I can’t remember what it was, but I remember that stomach-aching feeling of joy.
All because of fishing.
What are some of your “in-betweens” that make this sport mean so much to you and your family?
Reel Couples Therapy
Scott and I gave a presentation this year at the Seattle Boat Show on this exact topic, titled:
Couples Fishing Therapy: How to Create a Winning Fishing Experience for Couples
I will be honest, this was an experiment for us. I have had this topic rattling around in my head for a couple of years because of the countless conversations I have had with fishermen and women who have had less-than-stellar experiences on the water with their partners for one reason or another. We thought we would take what we have learned and what other couples that boat and fish together have shared with us and turn it into an action plan.
I actually LOVED delivering this presentation. We combined what I have learned as a consultant and coach with Scott’s military background, added the fun and excitement of fishing to the mix, and now have the ultimate process for mastering the art of communication, both on and off the water.
We noticed a throughline as we interviewed various couples.
The keys to improving their catch rate and overall enjoyment of fishing together were this:
Compromise and communication
Remembering your ‘why’
Embracing failure together as an opportunity to learn and develop your process
Questions to ponder with your better half:
Do you fish with your partner?
If so, what has worked well for you guys as you developed your fishing process together?
What have been some of your best lessons together on the water?
If not, would you like to change that?
What is the reason your partner is not interested in going out with you or you are not interested in taking them out?
Is there a way you can bridge that gap of different interests and give it a try?
Conversation Corner
This Month’s Quote to Ponder
“I can accept failure. Everyone fails at something. But I can’t accept not trying.” ~Michael Jordan
Question of the day
What is something funny that happened to you recently?
Conversation starter for your next boat ride
Who has made the greatest impact on you as a fisherman and what made that relationship or interaction so meaningful to you?
Who would you like to impact?
Nature Nerds
I am going to share random facts about trees, birds, bugs, islands, and more here. This section is for me selfishly. :) I love learning about the biology of our incredible ecosystems. If you are a nerd too - you may find some of these facts interesting about the wild world around us.
I am a firm believer that the more we know about the natural world and fisheries that we love, the more effective we can be as anglers and preserving species we enjoy so much.
This month’s featured creature:
Harbor porpoises
I adore seeing these guys.
8 facts you didn’t know you needed to know about harbor porpoises:
1. Smallest Cetacean: Harbor porpoises are one of the smallest cetaceans, typically measuring around 4’ 9” to 5’ 9” in length and weighing up to 168 pounds.
A Cetacean is a marine mammal of the order Cetacea; a whale, dolphin, or porpoise.
2. Feeding: The harbor porpoise feeds on schooling fish such as cod, herring, pollock, sardines, as well as squid and octopus. They usually feed individually, consuming approximately 10% of their body weight each day.
3. Breeding: The harbor porpoise reaches sexual maturity at three to four years of age and the females can give birth every two years. After a gestation period of approximately 11 months, females give birth to calves that weigh 14–22 lbs. Calves are usually born tail-first and are able to swim and dive shortly after birth.
4. Behavior: Harbor porpoises are often seen alone, but at times form small groups of less than ten individuals. They are shy animals and rarely show curiosity towards vessels and at times will actively avoid them. The harbor porpoise will occasionally “porpoise” out of the water, but generally, they surface to breathe in a slow, gentle roll. Diving for an average of four minutes, they are frequent and shallow divers, although they have been observed diving to depths of up to 200 feet.
5. Predators: Harbor porpoises are subject to predation by large sharks, dolphins, and killer whales. In Greenland, harbor porpoises are hunted for food and oil. In both the eastern North Atlantic and the Pacific there have been reports of harbor porpoise mortalities by becoming entangled in commercial fishing gear.
6. Distribution: Harbor porpoises are found in cool temperate and subarctic waters of the North Atlantic and North Pacific oceans. They are commonly sighted in coastal areas, estuaries, and fjords.
7. Life Expectancy: In the wild, harbor porpoises can live up to 10 to 15 years, although some individuals have been known to live longer in captivity.
8. Breathing Pattern: Harbor porpoises are obligate breathers, meaning they have to consciously come to the surface to breathe. They typically surface every 20-30 seconds but can dive for several minutes.
PS. If you are a super-nature-nerds like us and like watching animals be animals, tune in for the next couple of weeks and see eagles hatch!
It’s about that time…
Wild Recipes
We LOVE to cook what we catch and experiment with new fun recipes. Let’s be real, I can hold my own in the kitchen, but Scott is a cooking wizard. In this section, we will share what we are doing with our fresh catch, random new sauces Scott discovered that he’s wicked good with Elk steak, or great ways to prepare and preserve a variety of locally caught species.
This month’s recipe: Simple Steamed Oysters off the beach!
We collected oysters at low tide and steamed them on our boat for a delish meal!
Here is how we did it…
Simple Steamed Oysters (One Dozen)
Ingredients
12 fresh oysters
Directions
Scrub the oysters to remove any mud, barnacles, and grit. Rinse with cold, running water, but do not let the oysters stand in the water.
Dispose of any oysters with broken shells or any that have opened.
Place the oysters in a steamer pan or basket in a single layer with their cup side down. Don’t pile them on top of each other. You don’t want to lose their tasty liquor.
Place the steamer pan (or basket) over boiling water and cover with a lid. The boiling water should not touch the oysters.
Steam until the oyster shells open, if some DO NOT open, toss them, don't eat them. Most people prefer a 5-6 minute steam depending on the size of your oysters. At 10 minutes, the oysters will start to overcook and get tough and rubbery. TIP: Keep in mind that the shells will be very hot and the oysters will continue to cook for a minute after they are removed from the steamer.
Using tongs, transfer the oysters to a serving bowl, tray, or plate.
You may need to use a shucking or paring knife to separate the oyster from the top and bottom shells.
Serve with lemon, hot sauce, and your favorite toppings. Or mix them into an omelet for breakfast!
Variations to try:
Add 1/4 cup of white wine, a diced shallot, and a bay leaf to water.
Instead of water, steam oysters over three cups of your favorite IPA.
Add thin slices of ginger to the steamer pan before adding the oysters.
Add a bunch of rosemary, thyme, or other fresh herbs to the steamer pan before adding the oysters.
Wins On and Off the Water
We want to hear from YOU!!!! Send us your successes so we can feature them in next month’s issue. Whether you caught your first fish, summit a mountain, or took the family out on a great day hike, we want to hear about it!
Check out Karey Small with a gorgeous 14lb Winter Chromer caught in Canada! Nice catch Karey!
Share your story and photos by emailing info@anglersunlimited.co, we would love to hear what you have been up to.
To your next adventure,
Jamie
Anglers - people who fish with a rod and line.
Unlimited - unrestricted; unconfined: boundless; infinite; vast.