6/18/22 - Haystack Fishing

I have watched dory boats launch and land on the beach at Cape Kiwanda for over 20 years. This year Karin gave me a fishing trip for my birthday. At long last I got to go fishing on a dory boat myself. She chose Haystack Fishing, run by Joe and Wendy Hay. What a great choice! I showed up at the ramp in the morning and when Joe showed up with the boat he told me the group of 4 that was supposed to go with us got Covid the night before. Are you sure? We can reschedule. Captain Joe said, “Nope. Let’s go fishing.” With Nate Holstedt as deck hand, we set out to catch fish, any fish. And we did.

Here Capt. Joe is finding us the fish.

Nate pulled the crab pots and we got a lot!

We caught all the sea bass we would want. We got lots of crab. We trolled for salmon for a while, but they were not around that day. Then we fished for some bottom fish and caught some ling cod, cabezon and a few other fish that we didn’t keep. Including this GORGEOUS “yellow eyed rock fish.” These fish are endangered so we took steps to return this fish to the water safely, but had to get some pics. Just wondering who thought the yellow eye was the most defining feature in naming this fish?

Nate and Capt. Joe were the best. I would love to fish with them again, and would HIGHLY recommend Haystack Fishing for anyone looking for a dory charter.

Here is the haul! 12 Dungeness crab, 5 sea bass and a ling cod.

Here is the Haystack Fishing website. Absolutely go with Capt. Joe if you want a great trip!