Date: 10/26/24 10:04 am From: Peter Pyle via groups.io <ppyle...> Subject: [Mendobirds] Fishin and birdin off Fort Bragg, Oct 25th
Greetings Mendobirders,
Nine fishers including one birder went on a half day fishing trip on
Friday Oct 25th with Captain Richard Thornton
(https://anchorcharterboats.com/) on the Kraken. We fished within one
mile of a position 5 miles from Fort Bragg at the head of the Noyo
Canyon. Skies were partly cloudy including smoke from controlled burns
with winds varying from very light easterlies to glassy calm. We left at
dark and enjoyed a blood-red sunrise from the fishing grounds, over the
controlled burns.
Pelagic bird highlights while fishing included a Laysan Albatross
feeding on a floating rockfish as close as 3' from the boat. It was an
unbanded juvenile, recently fledged from colonies in Mexico or the
Hawaiian Islands. At least 5 Black-footed Albatross, 3 Northern Fulmars,
15 Pink-footed Shearwaters, 8 Buller's Shearwaters, 12 Sooty
Shearwaters, 4 Short-tailed Shearwaters, and a probable Manx Shearwater
were observed in less than half-effort birding. 3-4 each of Humpback and
Blue Whales wee about and 20 or so PacificWhite-sided Dolphins paid us a
visit.
During the 35-minute trip back to the harbor we spotted Humpback Whales
lunge-feeding about two miles from shore, that had attracted about 1000
gulls and many other seabirds. At least three more Short-tailed
Shearwaters were seen on the way back in, and all of the
already-recorded tubenoses were part of the feeding fray or had followed
the boat at least half way in. The fishers were all very pleased with
their sack-full of rockfish (at least 6 species) and all also enjoyed
the whales, albatross, and seabirds on glassy seas.
If you want to catch some of this near-shore action, and much more as we
go much farther off shore, we have a full-day trip on the Kracken
planned for Monday, November 11th. Cost $175. There are still a few
spaces left, and if you are interested in going, please contact Chuck
Vaughn <cevaughn...> <mailto:<cevaughn...>.
