A&E

Ocean salmon fishing has been very productive for boats out of Bodega Bay harbor. While limits were not the rule, many boats, both private and sport managed a fair number of fish the last week, averaging better than a fish per rod. Rick Powers, skipper of the 60 foot New Sea Angler exclaimed that “this has been the best opening week of salmon fishing since I can remember” and while not wanting to give up Rick’s age, suffice it to say that Rick has been doing this quite a while. It also helps when Rick can go out in his big boat in 20 knots of breeze and still effectively fish. Most private boats in the 20 to 35 foot class were unable to fish last Saturday for example and Rick got near limits for his 16 passengers. Sunday the weather backed off to a mere 12-15 knots and Rick and the crew of the new Sea Angler got easy limits for all aboard. Many private boaters that weathered the bumpy conditions also got limits. The 6 pack boat, Miss Anita reported 8 fish for a  mere half day of fishing Sunday and a half day trip out to see the whales which are plentiful off our coast this time of year. Vince Orcini, Captain of the Miss Anita felt sure she would have been able to get full limits for the passengers and crew had they fished a couple more hours.

What aren’t we allergic to these days? According to a report by ABC news, people can be allergic to water, cell phones, allergy medications, the heat or the cold, chocolate, exercise (Yes, I did say that. The condition is called exercise-induced anaphylaxis), and the laundry list continues. According to the American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology, “More than half (54.6%) of all U.S. citizens test positive to one or more allergens.”

Why is it that every other article you see is entitled, ‘The 10 Best ______(fill in the blank) beaches, foods for a smaller waistline, ways to improve your libido, restaurants in the bay area, etc.? Simply put because we’re tired and we don’t want to think anymore. Just point me to the best beach and I’m there. You do the research (thanks) and I’ll be there, I’ll do that.

Season openers are always a great source of optimism but there is no greater fishing  opener than the ocean salmon season. This year’s ocean salmon season opener is being met with higher than normal expectations because of the tremendously high projection by the Pacific Fisheries Management Council for the amount of Salmon that are swimming in our oceans. This was based on the higher than normal jack (juvenile salmon) returns to the rivers last fall.  Many in the know are cautiously optimistic because their projections have been known to be wildly inaccurate. But to most, any good news is welcome especially regarding the health of our fisheries and is cause for optimism.

A cobalt blue vase in front of me holds a bouquet of spring blossoms: calla lilies, freesias, narcissus of several kinds. Yellow, red-orange, cream, whites, and their fragrance fills the air around me. I cut their stems today, a day of sun, clean air and cool breezes.

In a year of challenging and potentially combustible energy patterns, this month seems relatively benign. It would be easy, therefore, to overlook the more subtle influences this month. For example, Mars, having been retrograde since January 23, turns direct on the 13th. After a few months of relative inactivity, spending our time finishing previously incomplete projects, cleaning up clutter and messes and researching for new projects to begin in the future, the time has come to act. However, the overall feeling of drive and motivation, usually low during a Mars retrograde, is just beginning to increase. Don’t be impulsive. Mars is in Virgo, a detail oriented sign that is highly meticulous and discerning in its choices and behaviors. Start to put your new ideas into motion in a manner that coincides with the nature of Virgo.