A smattering of fish wrenched from a reluctant ocean featuring far more white on the surface the majority of the day than blue. In fact there was no blue at all as the slate gray, silver blend reflected oppressive overcast skies shedding pitiful light to aid our looking; tough working conditions to say the least. Throw in the bizarre effect of impressive south swell sets creating confused, standing seas colliding with opposing twenty to twenty five knot winds and the setting presented an even greater form of challenge for the boys up top looking.

Despite the unkind conditions production on kelps was admirable; unfortunately production on fish was not. A few here and a few there was all they were worth as mostly bits and pieces, busted up by the sloppy conditions, were to be found. It was a lack luster day by any measure, but it needed to be done. As important as offshore production is to our overall success we have to find them by looking, nothing ventured nothing gained.

Following a long, full day battling an unyielding bitch of an ocean we had our fill - for now. We appear to have hit another one of those expected junctures when nothing comes easy. So be it. Though we never look for it, or look forward to it, we are always up and ready for a good scrap. At present we are well armed with a primo load of bait and anglers. First we'll try a change of venue; that alone will produce a few smiles. Throw a few fish in the mix and we'll be riding high; nothing to it.

Tim Ekstrom