Great Morning but Luck Not On My Side

Fished and fished last night at my regular spot. Skunked!  However, it was so relaxing next to the river with the sun shining, birds flying, and breeze blowing that it didn't matter that there was no fish trophy.

This morning ventured out to a new spot on the Cowlitz - Riverside Park. Frequently driving by could see there was a huge sandbar that normally isn't present on the river. Figured that would be a great place to start.

Pretty limited trails to make my way to the river. Gripped grass, angled onto rocks, and eventually slid down to the sand.  Waded into the river, covering my shoes with muddy sand.  Spent the morning casting, moving, casting, moving and all for naught. Skunked again!

Here's to catching one again in the near future!

Spicy Wednesday

Didn't catch any fish yesterday morning 😕 but made up for it this morning by creating a HUGE batch of pico de gallo using Arlene's tomatoes and jalapeños. Will eat some, give some away, and freeze some to use later, probably in Mexican dishes.

Too Early in the Morning for This

Up bright and early - maybe a little too early - to go fishing and was browsing Instagram.  C'mon people! I know sex sells but do you have to be so downright obvious in your ads?!  Here are two that appeared one right after the other:

Gaultier expected but Bonnie Brown?  These images explain why I prefer the classic movies where there was subtle, witty allusions to sex rather than slamming the obvious in your face as they do today.  Add some intelligence rather than blatancy and you will arrive at a much higher quality product. Plus it will make us think,

Becoming a Pioneer Woman

Stopped by Walmart this afternoon to enhance my fishing supplies, which were non-existant.  Picked up a box, knife, scissors, rope, some more spinners, and a small net.

Placed all my gear into my little tool box and made my way to Arlenes and the Cowlitz River.  Settled myself in along the bank and began casting.  Gorgeous weather today made it a much more enjoyable experience than Saturday's downpour.

After fishing awhile changed up the spinner to one of my new ones. Not too long after a trout bit the spinner and I set the hook.  He was a real fighter but I was able to get him to the bank.

Dealt with my catch (as in beating its head with a rock) then fished some more. Arlene came down to say hi and brought me some containers so I could pick blackberries.  The blackberry bushes were heaving with large, plump goodness and I took a break from fishing to pick a quart.

Returned to fishing which abruptly ended when my spinner snagged and I ended up losing the whole set up. Took that as a sign my evening of fishing was over.

Made my way to the car where I found a bag full of tomatoes and jalapeños fresh from the garden courtesy of Arlene. Tomorrow I will be making salsa or pico de gallo.

May just rise early tomorrow morning to fish at daybreak. Yes, it's my new obsession but in a way felt like I was channeling Dad as I caught that fish in his own private part of the Cowlitz.

Berry Picking and Sugar Overload

Sunday found us rising bright and early to make our way to the coast to pick more huckleberries.

On our way we stopped in Astoria to pick up a Dutch Bros. Coffee.  I had my fill of hot coffee so decided to try out the new pumpkin freeze. Tasty but way too sweet, perhaps because of my no sugar taste buds.  Finished it off and arrived to our picking spot.

Steve went to see if the berries were better further in so he disappeared for awhile as I hung with Stubbs (who was fashionably adjourned for the day in his Seahawks jersey.)  Decided to pick along the road; about the point of picking one container full, it started. My hands were shaking, my head was light, and my stomach upset. Just knew that sugary drink was the wrong move.

Steve returned to the car with the last of the berries and I unleashed what we call a "Junior Jerry" moment.  "Get me to the store NOW as I need protein!!" Poor thing didn't know what hit him.

Steve rushed me to the minit mart where I loaded up on chicken strips, nuts, and cordon blue balls, which were, yes, as bad as they sound. Scarfed those down in record time than waited for the food to take effect. Finally, the shaking stopped and I was clear headed.

Picking done (wound up with two gallons) we continued on 101 for some sightseeing. We stopped at the guardrail on Nehalem Bay to see if the GPS container that we stumbled upon last year was still wedged into it. Sure was so dug it out and listed our Diva and Huey names on to the roster again then replaced the tube.

Continued on to view the jetty and wild waves then on our return trip stopped in Wheeler to browse a large antique store. Steve picked me up a tackle box, small in size so it would fit in my purse, perhaps for those spur-of-the-moment times when the fishing bug hits.

On our way back we swung by the Husted Hilton to visit with his sister, her hubby, and some friends of theirs who were all staying at the Arch Cape place. The weather was awesome as we sat on the deck. Stubbs was extremely protective and wouldn't leave my lap the whole time.

Returned home last night worn out and a little sunburned. Steve hit the road, taking my tackle box home to stock it with all sorts of lures, hooks, and supplies.  I then promptly fell asleep on the couch.

Meant to get up early to go fishing but that didn't happen. Will cast my line this evening!

Here Fishy Fishy

Broke out my new fishing pole tonight on the Cowlitz River.  Arlene was kind enough to let me use her river access spot so Steve and I cruised to Castle Rock so my pole could be tested.  Unfortunately, it began raining but that wasn't going to stop me.

Steve set the pole up for me with my new spinner and I casted it out.  No bites at the first stop so went to a different section.  At this point it was pouring; however, I was too warm wearing my jacket so removed it and braved the wet weather in my t-shirt.

No luck at the second spot so returned to the first.  After a few more casts bam! Got a bite!  Set the hook and reeled in the fish.  Steve stepped over to grab the fish and threw it on the bank.  It was a harvest trout about 14 inches. Nice catch!

Steve cleaned the fish while I continued casting. Alas, no more bites and I was drenched so reeled in and called it a night after about 1.5 hours.

Returned to the car and Arlene had left me a nice bag of tomatoes and squash.

Was a great time and I plan on returning soon to see how my luck plays out - hopefully a salmon will be in my future!!  🐟

Tea Leaves Anyone?

Read my horoscope the other day and found it insightful based upon my current circumstances.