…of vampires and chinook… 13

Call me a "bad dad", but I did not know that my daughter Sophia wanted to go to La Push. Of course, that was before I knew there were vampires and werewolves on the coast!

You would think that after all the time I've spent in Forks chasing elk, deer, salmon and steelhead that I would have had at least heard of these legendary creatures and I do remember getting bitten in the Hang-up Tavern back in the day…but that's another story…

So how did I find out about these heretofore unknown denizens of the Olympic Peninsula?

Well, my teenage daughter was eavesdropping (imagine that)  on a phone conversation I was having with a friend about the chinook & coho "Bubble" fishery out in La Push. I have always wanted to get out there and give it a go but after the great season we have enjoyed here in Puget Sound, the freezer is full and the family is a bit "fished out".

"La Push?" Sophie said "Isn't that close to Forks".
"Yeah, just back up the road a bit, why? I asked.
"'Cause that's where the movie "Twilight" was filmed and I would love to go there!!!"

Immediately my devious mind began to work out the details…

"Is there a tour or something you and mom could go on?"
"Dad, are you kidding? there's a Dazzled by Twilight store and shops and EVERYTHING!!!"
"Are we talking about Forks, Washington?"
"Uh, yeaah… and all my friends are dying to go there too!"

Unbelievably, Forks has gone from logging (and therefore redneck) capitol of the world to vampire/werewolf tourist trap and I had no clue. Apparently part of this "teen fantasy" takes place on "First Beach" and Quileute Ocean-side Resort just happens to be located right on… you've got it, First Beach!
Once I confirmed reservations, I got to deliver the news to Sophie that we were going to experience a sunset -including twilight- on First Beach.  It's wonderful to hear your teenage daughter squeal with delight about going on a fishing trip!

Cut to Saturday afternoon, and mercifully for this Husky fan, the Notre Dame game broadcast cut out just as the Ocean came into view…  

As we prepared to launch, we gazed out beyond the breakwater and the view was a welcome sight to my road-weary eyes. 

Checking in to our beach cabin was a treat to say the least!  

The living room was very comfortable with a driftwood/rock hearth and a view!  

But there was no competition as the view from the kitchen was world-class…  

…until you stepped outside… A short walk to the Pacific Ocean and the surf!  

The next morning, my son Matt and I got to the La Push Marina just after dawn and headed out. Getting over the La Push bar is child's play compared to the Gray's Harbor.  In 10 minutes, we were over the lump and in 90 feet of water…which was filled with salmon and bait.

The first pass from the "chicken can" to the "needles" yielded blackmouth and a wild coho which we released and we headed back to the can and started our second pass. We were rigged with Fish Flashes and cut plugs running 50 and 70 feet off our two Cannon Downriggers. I like my rods tight, with a firm bend as I troll, so when a fish hits and releases the rod helps pull slack out of the line.
We were trolling along and the Humminbird was just lit up with salmon and bait.

BOOM!

The big bend I just described just got bigger as the big king inhaled the herring and headed for Japan!!!

BOOM AGAIN!

I grabbed the rod from the holder, lifted and the ol' rod blew up in my face!

Now, it's a busted-rod rodeo and you can see the look of surprise in Matt's face as I'm now forced to baby this king. If you look in the background you can see the Quileute Ocean-side Resort where we spent the night!  

Matt does one HECKUVA JOB getting this chinook in the net, broken rod, "mad Dad" and all! 

Thirty pounds of chinook in the boat on a Sunday morning in La Push with a happy daughter and wife sleeping in the cabin in sight of the fishin' hole…  You tell me: is that perfect or what?

Back at the harbor, we get our picture taken with our prize and we are back at the cabin, boat on the trailer for the 11:45 checkout time! 

 The girls had a great time in Forks, We all had a wonderful time in La Push and I just wonder how many families are missing out on this opportunity…

Not that I'm going to become a vampire fan but the fishing and hunting in this area is world-class and La Push is looking to regain it's rightful place among top fishing destinations.

So, .. If you are looking for a family vacation that includes steelhead, salmon, deer, elk, vampires or werewolves, there is only one place…