Captain BrewSea's Blog Log

Friday, July 3, 2009

Day 14 - Octopus Islands (again)

Day 14 – 2 July 2009

Departure – Octopus islands
Destination – Octopus Islands

State of The Sea – calm waters
Wind – NW 5
Weather – Sunny and Bright not a cloud in the sky! HOT

Captain / Admiral’s report:

We spent the day in the Octopus Islands, fishing, crabbing, sun tanning, gossiping and just generally relaxing!!! What a great day! What an awesome location!! We will be back!!!

The boys depart for a day of fishing.

The hunter gathers leave the poor farmers home to tend the homestead...

The bounteous harvest from the Sea...good boys!

Enough Crab for everyone...

Appetizers in the hot afternoon sun, before supper...

We invited another couple who were anchored near us for an afternoon, “tea party”)...
Steve and Jeannie from Comox

The afternoon Tea Party

Everyone is on Justavacation

Admiral Sheila and Claudine

Pat extolling the “fish story” of how he harvested the crabs for supper...

Our newest friends Steve and Jeanie from Comox

A small portion of the left over crab shells....

Day 13 - Happy Canada Day

Day 13 – 1 July 2009
(we finally have internet after 3 days)

Departure – Gorge Harbour
Destination – Octopus Islands

State of The Sea – 1 Foot Chop
Wind – NW 5

Weather – Sunny and Bright not a cloud in the sky! HOT

Captain / Admiral’s report:

HAPPY CANADA DAY!

The winds have subsided a bit on the southern coast. And so there is a window of opportunity for Pat and Claudine to make the run north to rendezvous with us.

The rendezvous was to be in Octopus Islands. And so, we made the 30 minute run back north.

The area here is so well protected from the winds and the scenery is beautiful. The area is pretty good for fishing as well.

After a leisurely Canada Day morning we were off on our short 30 minute cruise back up to the Octopus Islands. The cruise was as expected... another spectacular run.

The water was mostly flat, the sun was hot, the winds were light and of course the scenery is breathtaking.

As we arrived at the entrance to the Octopus Islands, we were hailed by “Bootlegger”. It was Pat and Claudine. They were right behind us! Talk about coincidence. They had left Sechelt at 0530 this morning and just happened to arrive via Hole in the Wall at exactly the same time as we arrived.... Ahhh, serendipity at its finest.

After setting anchor and rafting up, we spent the afternoon getting acquainted again. Good times, good people and good vistas.

Then it was time for the aqua ballet. We took to the “tender to’s” and set off for a little choreographed exploration.

Pat & Claudine provided an awesome salmon supper tonight, complete with Pat’s own smoked salmon appetizers. Well done guys!

After the lighting of the ‘Pink Flamingos”...it was time to turn in from another “ ho hum day in Paradise”

Canada Day on the dock in Gorge Harbour

It is only 0900 and Captain Tom is passed out!

Hoskyn Channel dividing Reed and Quadra Islands

Pat, Claudine, Susie (behind camera) Tom, Captain and the Admiral.

Polish games??

Tom on top of the world...

the 3 flamingos?

Pat & Claudine

Susie in T/T Maresia

Water Ballet

Pass navigable with high tide.

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Day 12 - Heriot Bay (Gorge Harbour)

Day 12 – 30 June 2009

Departure – Octopus Islands;

Destination – Heriot Bay (changed to Gorge Harbour, see below)

Arrival Time –
State of The Sea – 1 Foot Chop
Wind – NW 10 – 15

Weather – Sunny and Bright not a cloud in the sky!

Captain / Admiral’s report:

(We have not had internet or cell connection for a couple of days now)

What a beautiful day. Other than the wind it is a perfect day. Sunny, hot and dry.

Last night’s sky put on a dazzling display of extraterrestrial spheres!

We took “Minivacation” for a tour this morning to enjoy the many coves and possible anchorages of the Octopus Islands. This area is definitely on our will return list! See pictures below and we are sure you will agree.

After an early lunch compliments of Susie, we set out to gather our crab and prawn traps from yesterday and then be on our way to Heriot Bay.

The crab trap yielded 10 (too small) red rock crabs. All had to be returned to the Sea.

The Prawn traps had a far more interesting yield. In all, we collected:
2 – Star Fish
2 – Shrimp
1 – Prawn
1 – Sea Cucumber
1 – crab
4 – scallops
1 – squat Lobster
All of which was returned to the Sea. (see pictures below)

After cleaning up our tools, we were off to meet Pat & Claudine in Heriot Bay.

The short cruise of 13 nautical miles was very pleasant with a following sea and 1 foot chop.

As we approached Heriot Bay the wind had picked up and made Rebecca Spit and even the docks at Heriot Bay would be very un comfortable for an overnight stay.

Tom contacted Pat to find out when they might arrive. Pat and Claudine have not been able to get out from Secret Cove for a couple of days now. The winds have been too strong for them to come North.

Because of Pat and Claudine not being able to join us and the state of the Sea at Heriot Bay, we made the decision to make a run for cover into Gorge Harbour for the evening. You may remember our stay in Gorge Harbour from a few days ago.

We arrived without incident at Gorge Harbour for a comfortable stay at the dock.

Tom & Susie out for a "stroll"

Octopus Islands

Birds walking on water?

Octopus Islands

Crabs

Sea Cucumber

Advertisment for Trotter & Morton

So much for the big Prawn catch...but we did get this smorgasbord...

4 – scallops

Heriot Bay

Rebecca Spit

View looking East from Rebecca Spit to Cortes Island and beyond

Day 11 - Octopus Islands

Day 11 – 29 June 2009

Departure – Blind Channel @ 1230

Destination – Octopus Islands
Arrival Time – 1500

State of The Sea – 3 Foot Chop
Wind – NW 10 – 15 (Gale Warning for Johnstone Streight

Weather – Sunny and Bright with a very few clouds

Captain / Admiral’s report:

This morning we went for a short hike along the water front. We were witness to some pretty amazing views and a few remnants of an industrial past of the area.

We were underway at a cruising speed of 22 knots for the Octopus Island by 1230ish. As we left the calm protected waters of Blind Channel we thought the days journey would be an easy saunter.

BUT... after rounding the turn into Johnstone Strait, we experienced the fetch of a 20 – 30 knot wind build up and an opposing tide. By the time we made it to Discovery Passage, our boats were bathed in the grime of dried Sea Spray. We can now quite literally say we are old Salts.

After heading into Okisollo Channel from Discovery Passage, the water flattened out and afforded us smooth cruising for the rest of the trip to the Octopus Islands.

The Octopus Islands are a wonderful spot! They are well protected from most winds that may try to find their way in. If time had permitted, we would have enjoyed another day or two here. Maybe next time!

After anchoring the mother-ship (Justavacation) as Tom likes to call her, the 4 of us set out in Maresia to drop crab and prawn traps and try our luck at some Salmon Fishing. Our luck with the Salmon fishing was not quite as exciting as our exit from “Hole In The Wall”. By that I mean... we were enjoying a 2 knot troll inside Hole in the Wall when, seemingly, without warning the tide had shifted to about a 6 knot Ebb and had Maresia heading for the rocks. Good thing our captain Tom was on his toes and was able to recover just in time to safe the vessel and crew from our impending doom. ;)

We went to harvest the crab trap and found that we had trapped 4 undersized Red Rock Crab. We sent them back to their watery home until they get it right for next time. Our intent is to pull the prawn traps tomorrow on our departure for Heriot Bay.

This evening’s meal was hosted by Sheila. Tacos...yummy.

You may notice in some of the pictures we have adopted a new mascot. If you want to know the details, you will have to ask the creator, Tom about the name and origin. My lips are sealed. (I could be bribed).

Chatham Point

Okisollo Channel

Entrance to hole in the wall.

Octopus Islands

Breaker Breaker 19

Narrow entrance to Octopus Islands

Maresia entering Octopus Islands

Discovery Passage

Johnstone Strait

Fishing at Hole in the Wall

Look at me..I am fishing!

Crab vs Crab

Catching the UFO...

Arrrge Maitee !!
(playing dress up with the admirals wine glass charms)

“I knew I should have been flossing”...

There is some clandestine origin to this UFO, of which you must seek the wisdom and clairvoyance of Captain Tom for the secrets to this unusual phenomenon.