January 2024 Anglers Unlimited Newsletter
Welcome to the first ever Anglers Unlimited Newsletter. This is a community of people that love to fish…especially in the Pacific Northwest.
Welcome to the first ever Anglers Unlimited Newsletter. This is a community of people that love to fish…especially in the Pacific Northwest. My name is Jamie Peth (soon to be Jamie Propst) I am the founder of Anglers Unlimited, a community facilitator, a fisherman and a lifelong adventure seeker.
Anglers Unlimited was created out of my joy for fishing and sharing incredible experiences outdoors with the people I love most. What I noticed when I started fishing was how hard it was to find information that would help me have more success on the water and land my very first salmon. Growing up near Puyallup, WA, I spent a lot of time combing the beaches in Des Moines and fishing from the marina pier with my Dad. My first boat came along later in life and I soon realized there was a lot to figure out about fishing the San Juans and the Salish Sea. That boat came with a manual cannon downrigger and sent me on a journey to figure out how to use it for salmon fishing. It took awhile, but when I finally landed my first chinook salmon I was HOOKED!
That first fish ruined me.
I wanted to become better and more consistent as a fisherman, so I looked for answers online, attended Salmon University, and joined the local Puget Sound Anglers chapter. Then, a coworker’s husband became my ultimate fishing mentor. Jerry had fished the San Juans for over 60 years and knew the area like the back of his hand. He was kind enough to share his knowledge with me, sending drawings to work with his wife of how to rig my gear right, maps that helped me understand tides in the San Juan Islands, and answer any questions I had about where to go the next weekend and what bait to use. Thanks to Jerry, slow days of fishing became less and less frequent.
Fast forward a decade, and fishing has become a massive part of my life, my business, and our family. You will also be hearing from my fiancé Scott Propst, in future publications. Scott is a retired Navy Officer and seasoned fisherman with over 25 years of experience fishing in the Puget Sound area as well as extensive time fishing in Southeast Alaska. He is a Coast Guard licensed captain and owns a fishing Charter business out of Anacortes, Washington. Whether you're a seasoned angler or a beginner, Captain Scott's enthusiasm for educating and guiding others on the water is unmatched, which is why he is also a lead instructor for Anglers Unlimited.
We love helping people catch more fish and have more fun next time they take the boat out. This newsletter is an experiment for us and 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.
What we are about
This newsletter is for those of you that have an obsession with mastering the art of angling and creating epic outdoor adventures. Not just because it’s extremely fun, but because of something deeper that it gives you.
A sense of connection.
Connection to the sport that you love.
Connection to the water and nature.
Connection to your sense of curiosity and joy of learning.
Connection to people - away from screens and the hustle of everyday life.
Welcome to Anglers Unlimited. We are so fired up to learn with you. From gear to grill we will be sharing tips and tactics to catch more fish and have more fun with the people you care about most. We will have real conversations about what it means to live a life of adventure, one experience at a time.
Here are a few buckets of content you can expect to see from us each month.
Gear we can’t get enough of
That pretty much says it all. We are gear heads, we love to try new stuff and when we find something amazing that is a “must have” on the boat or in the tackle box we will share it along with honest reviews to help you make the decision if it may work for you.
This month we went clamming at night, and this flash light was a GEM to have on hand. Now, at first glance it looks pretty expensive for a light, but hear me out. If you have maintenance to do on your vehicles, boat or boat trailer in the winter, it sure is nice to have a high quality light that is also magnetic to free up your hands. We took this guy clamming as well and what I found most useful during a night dig was using it to find the car at the end of the night! This flashlight can be adjusted for a really narrow beam, which was quite handy on the coast!
Adventuring
Scott and I live a life of adventure. Whether it’s trying out a new anchorage or targeting a new fishery we love experiencing ALL the things outdoors on and off the water. Here we will share what we have been up to, what we have discovered that was epic and worth checking out as a potential adventure for you and your family, as well as recommendations we get from other expert explorers.
Get out and go razor clam digging in February.
Digging for Razor clams is a freaking BLAST in the winter. YES, you will want to bundle up and you should expect wind rain and dark digs, but even with all the added elements out of our control, razor clams digs are so so fun, budget friendly and accessible to all ages.
Here are 5 things you need to know for a successful clamming adventure:
Check the rules and regs - visit WDFW’s Razor Clam Seasons and Beaches site so you can book a dig that fits your schedule.
Get geared up for your dig - check out the below razor clam shopping list and a few optional items to make your dig more pleasant for you and the family.
Clamming Gear
Clamming Gun
Clamming Net
Belt for clamming net
5 Gallon Bucket
Extra towel for the car
Head Lamp
Fishing License
Cooking / Processing Gear
Pot to process clams
Cooker if necessary with propane tank, a kitchen works great if your accommodations have one
Big Tupperware bin for rinsing clams
Scissors
Filet Knife
Cutting Board
Freezer Bags
Ingredients for clam chowder or a skillet, flour, and oil to fry fresh clams!
You Staying Comfortable Gear
Firewood for the beach!
Xtra tuff boots or chest waders
Rain Gear
Warm clothes, Hats
Garden gloves or plastic gloves (waterproof)
Print out the beach map and find your access point to open and legal beaches
Lantern and or a high powered flashlight
Make sure you head out for at least 2 days of digging - when you're new to any sport, it’s always a great idea to get as much time and practice as you can. You’ll have a bit of a learning curve at first, but once you get the hang of finding them, you will rock an easy limit!
Go on the lowest tide possible - minus tides are best. It’s also a good idea to arrive 2 hours before peak low tide. When the swells are lower clams are likely to be closer to the surface.
Cook your catch fresh - There is NOTHING better than fresh clam chowder. Get all of the ingredients you need to whip up a batch when you are done digging and enjoy some of the tastiest West Coast traditions.
Fishing for a reason
Why do you fish?
What makes you pumped to spend a massive amount of money on your boat, on gear, on moorage, all in the name of MAYBE catching fish?
It’s a question I think about a lot and in this section we will explore topics about life, fishing, and the power of the great outdoors.
I fish because I am absolutely addicted to the process of accomplishing something hard. And fishing in the San Juan Islands is hard when you are first learning. You are not going to catch something every time you go out. There will be gear lost, there will be arguments on the boat, there will be tides, wind, and current that do not match what your device said it would be at that time and in that place.
There are so many variables to contend with to ACTUALLY land a fish….
Let’s look at the process of targeting Chinook Salmon as an example:
Decide if you are going to go based on your schedule and what marine area is open
Check the weather to see what you are up against that day
Choose who you will take, which can affect the vibe of the boat and work level for the captain
Prep your gear
Prep your food
Choose departure time, tides, current and wind conditions for the day
Choose your spot
Head out!
Decide where you will start once you get to your spot and see what conditions are actually playing out
Rig your gear
Choose your depth
Watch the sonar to reinforce or change your depth decision
Connect with friends on the water for real time reports
Bounce bottom or stay suspended?
See the tug on the line
Grab the rod and set the hook without ripping the fish’s face off
Play the fish
Get the fish to the boat
See if the fish is legal and can be kept quickly and efficiently (right specie, marked or unmarked)
Net or release the fish
Bleed out the fish
High-fives and hell YESES ensue
But not for too long, because you need to get your gear back in the water asap
Repeat until limit
I love the process of listing all of this out, because there are 24 opportunities for something to go wrong. The “what could go wrong list” is totally endless from missing a fish when you see the tug, to netting mishaps or tangled gear.
It is never guaranteed that you will even find fish at the spot you choose, which is what makes it so effing magical when you land one. The process IS the fun.
I fish because I fall in love with the process every single time we go out on the water.
I fish because I learn a lesson from steps 1-24 to improve every time we go out.
I fish because it's a metaphor for life.
How about you?
Reel Couples Therapy
A section for couples that want to fish and adventure together in harmony! It is possible to have an argument free day on the water with your better half, we will talk about all sorts of topics related to fishing and adventuring with your love!
We will be speaking at the Seattle boat Show on this topic and many others. We would love to see you there Sunday February 4th & Monday February 5th - ladies get in free Monday!
Conversation Corner
I am not a small talk girl. It bores me to death…which is why I often torture my friends and family on the boat or on a hike with things like: “Question of the day…” or “Rose, thorn, bud conversations…”
I love exploring how others think, what’s on their mind, what are they dreaming about, what are they worried and excited about?
This section will include quotes, prompts, or questions for you to reflect on or ask your loved ones. Whether you are sitting around a campfire with a beer and a buddy, or if you are out on the boat dragging a line and it’s slow. This is a section dedicated to inspire meaningful and often very interesting conversations with your favorite people.
This Month’s Quote to Ponder
“Seize this opportunity while you have it; you never know what the future will bring. The difference between talking about it and doing it is doing it.” ~Ruth Reichl
What is something you are dreaming about that you would love to actually DO?
What is in the way for you to make that dream a reality?
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 our 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:
The Bald Eagle
8 facts you didn’t know you needed to know about bald eagles:
1. Symbolic Meanings: In addition to being a national symbol of the United States, the bald eagle holds cultural and symbolic significance for many Native American tribes. It is often seen as a spiritual messenger and symbolizes power and freedom.
2. Feeding Scavengers: While they are skilled hunters, bald eagles are also known to engage in scavenging. They may steal prey from other birds, such as ospreys, or scavenge carrion from other animals.
3. Parental Roles: Both male and female bald eagles contribute to nesting duties. They take turns incubating the eggs and caring for the young eaglets. The nesting period typically lasts for several months.
4. Not Always Bald: Juvenile bald eagles look quite different from adults. They lack the characteristic white head and tail, and their plumage is mostly brown. It takes about five years for them to acquire the iconic white head and tail feathers.
3. Impressive Size: Bald eagles are one of the largest birds of prey in North America. They can have a wingspan of up to 7 feet (2.1 meters) and can weigh between 6 to 14 pounds.
Side Note ~ I used to be a zookeeper right out of college and we would host Q&A sessions in front of exhibits - one of my favorite questions to ask the audience when chatting about bald eagles was “How much do you think a bald eagle weighs?” Most would guess between 25-50lbs, these birds have an impressive size when you are up close to one, but they actually do not weigh nearly as much as one would think! Considering their massive wingspan, bald eagles aren’t very heavy. They only weigh about 6-14 pounds, much of which comes from their plumage. They have about 7,200 feathers, which weigh about twice as much as their entire skeleton!
4. Excellent Vision: Bald eagles have extremely sharp eyesight. Their vision is estimated to be four to five times stronger than that of humans. This keen eyesight helps them spot prey from great distances.
5. Feeding Habits: Bald eagles are primarily fish eaters, but they are opportunistic and will also eat birds and mammals. They are known for their remarkable hunting ability and can snatch fish from the water with their powerful talons.
6. Massive Nests: Bald eagles are known for their large nests, which they build near large bodies of open water. These nests can reach enormous sizes, weighing as much as a ton and measuring up to 10 feet (3 meters) in diameter.
7. Longevity: In the wild, bald eagles can live up to 20 years. However, many do not survive to adulthood due to natural challenges and predators.
8. Courtship Display: Bald eagles engage in an intricate courtship display that involves aerial acrobatics. Mated pairs often engage in a series of dives and cartwheels, reinforcing their bond.
Scott and I love this time of year when eagles are nesting.
If you want to check out what that actually looks like, you can watch 2 eagles on the Big Bear Bald Eagle LIVE cam owned and operated by Friends of Big Bear Valley, a 501c3 nonprofit organization on YouTube and watch Jackie and Shadow in action as they incubate their recent clutch of eggs. The nest is located in Big Bear Valley in the San Bernardino Mountains of Southern California. It is about 145 feet up in a Jeffrey Pine tree. We love tuning in while we are making dinner and seeing “what’s up” with this Eagle pair.
Wild Recipes
We LOVE to cook what we catch and experiment with new fun recipes. Let’s be real, I am alright at cooking, but Scott is a kitchen wizard (see the rye sourdough bread he made today below). This section we will share what we are doing with our fresh catch, random new sauces Scott discovered that’s wicked good with Elk steak, or great ways to prepare and preserve a variety of locally caught species.
This month’s recipe: Blackened Lingcod
Ingredients
9 - 12oz of lingcod filets thawed
1 Tablespoon of Olive Oil
Blackened Seasoning
1 Tablespoon Smoked Paprika
1 Tablespoon Onion Powder
1 Teaspoons Garlic Powder
1 Teaspoon Black Pepper
1 Teaspoon Salt
½ Teaspoon Cayenne
½ Teaspoon Dried Thyme
½ Teaspoon Dried Oregano
Instructions
Blackened Seasoning
Thoroughly mix smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, black pepper, salt, cayenne, dried oregano, dried thyme to create blackened seasoning. Store any unused portion in an airtight jar.
Blackened Cod
Dry each cod filet with a paper towel to remove any excess moisture.
Evenly sprinkle blackened seasoning on all side of cod filet. You can use your hands to be sure blackened seasoning is coating all sides of the cod.
Pour olive oil into sauté pan and heat to medium high.
Once oil is hot, plate your cod filets into the saute pan.
Cook each side for approximately 2-3 minutes or until cod fish is thoroughly cooked through. Target 140 degrees internally then pull the fish off and let it rest and serve with your favorite side!
Scott is crushing the sourdough scene these days as well…
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!
We have members in our Free Facebook community catching some nice fish up North, buying new vehicles to tow the boat and working on a re-power! Check ‘em out here.
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 Defined - people who fish with a rod and line.
Unlimited Defined - unrestricted; unconfined: boundless; infinite; vast