BC Spearing Trip: Round 3 (2008)

[Amphibious]

we pick them up off the mountain side and drop them off at staging or in the water.

[BatRay]

Aha, I thought I recognized that big Bell helicopter as one of the ones used in logging. Good on ya for finding that job, Will. I'm glad you've gotten to fly. I hope it works out well

[DeepRN]

Hey everyone. Gabe here, checking in from TC. Not sure why suddenly iPhone is going mobile mode here on DB! I have surfed this site before and had no troubles... I was going to upload a pic of camp and one for Chris / Claire - of the place you guys stayed in last time up! I will see if I can regular HTML going here so pics and updates can be posted on the fly.

I arrived today and set up. Right now I'm relaxing dockside, enjoying the view, the people, the clear sky. And waiting for the crew to get back so we can bread some fish and get eating

All is good in the world at the moment.

DANG that water looks nice... Ah, this could be them...
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[Amphibious]

hey! heard you're diving out of port hardy today! if you saw a big ass helicopter fly over you about 2pm local, that was me. flew right over the islands.

take lots of pictures! super bummed I'm missing this

[Fondueset]

Thanks for thinking of us Gabe. Claire is off camping in Ontario. I am preparing a dissertation on fish stalking with a monofin. It requires many hours of research each week - and even more on the weekend - I may need to take some time off work...

[DeepRN]

hahaha we're debating if it was you we saw. We're pretty sure it was coast guard. We would
Has been a ways out around 2pm. Great dives today. HUGE black rockfish - & lots of 'em! These guys are out of here tomorrow am & I'm gonna stick around for
Another couple days. We have some great photos for you guys. I'll do my best to get some posted in the next 24 hrs.

Until then
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[DeepRN]

ok jim, type here.

<Jim> Thanks Gabe!

<Gabe> alright! thanks for coming out

The majority of the crew are heading out today. What a great great time though. TWO, yes TWO gorgeous sunny days of boat diving. The pinnacles were the spots to hit. I'm em-bare-assed to say that I don't presently have a good pic of Connor, but he's here (and looking great) nonetheless.

HOLY $*&*! the boat ride to our first destination was INSANELY fast. Marcus... the most intense one-eyed boat owner/ex-drug runner you've never met.

Now, Lee, Colin... seriously... stop here, go grab an attend (a towel will work in a pinch) set up for incontinence, and THEN continue on...


That's Sherri, IN Erik's suit, grasping a fully intact 25lb MONSTER! Priceless
Seriously though, how cool is it to be able to do a trip like this WITH your partner? ... sure makes the nights warmer. So great to see you guys! Nice shot Erik.

And this is a bit off topic, but I'm probably one of the only people who has seen video footage of Connor, executing a beautiful sink-faze through (what appears to be) AIR. WOW. What a jaw-dropping place. Keep that gem a gem. But at the same time, get that spotless entry point constructed... I'd love to get there some time.

So, that's it for now. Hope everyone is happy and healthy. I should be able to toss a few more up later today. My plan for the day will be to hit the Port Hardy area, reconnect with Marcus (the most intense one-eyed boat owner/ex-drug runner you've never met) and do some shore diving/lunch. Tomorrow will be similar, only in the TC area, from kayak.

And in the words of my great friend Erik, Take it easy lemon squeezy(s).

[DeepRN]

...so for future reference anyone, the subway in PortMcNeill has blazing fast, free internet! (Thanks Katie from TC!!!)

... man what a monster of a fish

[Fondueset]

I'm pretty sure I have to get revenge.

[iceselkie]

Originally Posted by Fondueset

I'm pretty sure I have to get revenge.

My sentiments exactly.

[cdavis]

Great trip! Thanks to all, Eric and Colin for organizing, JimDoe for having everything under the sun, extra special thanks to Fondueset for lending me his 6 mil (worked great), without which the trip would not have been possible. Much respect to Sheri for doing some seriously challenging diving.

Right now, we have a hurricane inbound, so I'm going to be a bit busy for a little while, more later.

Connor

[Pixie74]

Thanks Connor! You guys from the warm waters of Florida did great up here as well. Nice to meet you all

[Erik]

Wow! What an outstanding trip! Jim and Connor- much respect for coming into the harshest freediving environment around, adapting to our conditions quickly and LOVING it. Luckily we ran into Markus with a fast boat and a great desire to make us happy... I have never in 15 years of coming to Port Hardy seen so many fish as on the last 2 days.
Sherri's learning curve is amazing and respect due there also. Rob and Colin, sorry we didn't get a few more days in the water together- especially the last 2 8^0
Gabe's smoothness in these waters is a wonder to see, and great company on top of it.
Those who missed out this year missed one of the best trips ever in my experience. Now we know where to go and who with, to get to big dinner... there's easily 50lbs of fish in my freezer right now. The Ling was 25lbs and the filets were ridiculous. We dove a sight where the vis at the top 5 metres was about 1 metre... I jumped in with my gun to check it out and was surrounded by THOUSANDS of black rockfish 5lbs+, took the usual reflex shot (in these water we don't see fish from the surface- we dive, search, shoot when the rare fish comes by), surfaced laughing, then laughed harder when I saw 2 fish on the shaft! We all jumped in to get our limit and search for lingcod. On my 9th dive, I dove into the void, watched the vis open up at 10 metres to about 5 metres horizontal, swam along for about 30 seconds and saw my prey sitting on a rock in 13 metres. No reel or floatline so a careful spine shot and quick braining, then done for the day. Thanks for Sherri for reminding me to take a pic; I was too excited to to remember! Honour to you Mr. Ling- I will not waste your life.
I'm going to try and head back once more this year; maybe October.
Looking to next year- miss it and miss out!

[Erik]

Oh yeah... "Where's mah bloo saytchel"

[bcspearo]

I'd be in fer an october return!! what dates are you thinkin?