To say there is nothing like Osmosis Day Spa Sanctuary is not far from the truth. It is the only cedar enzyme bath in the United States.
While fishing the WON charter last March to San Nicolas Island aboard Toronado, the boat’s owner, Joe Philips approached me with an interesting and generous proposal.
“I’d like to use the boat to take a bunch of veterans out fishing, giving them a free day on the water, to be with other military vets, and maybe get some fish,” said Captain Philips of the endeavor.
Throughout Butte County, a wide array of feathered friends, mammals, reptiles, insects, and fish are full-time residents, making it an ideal California Watchable Wildlife (CAWW) destination.
We all have our specialized markets for articles and photos. Yours may center on hunting, fishing or hiking publications. I focus on boating magazines and write about cruising under sail, sailing regattas, boat designs, canoes, and anything else that floats on water. I’ve written for major U.S, publications as well as those in Europe, Asia, and Australia-New Zealand. For years I did well, but I was stuck in a box.
Steve Pearce of Santa Rosa knows that bald eagles often can be spotted in the vicinity of Jenner and Goat Rock State Beach in Sonoma County, at the mouth of the Russian River. “A pair of mated eagles can frequently be found here, so I’ll drive out to the coast and look for them,” he says. “Occasionally, there are juveniles. What was interesting this day is that there were hundreds of California brown pelicans flying in from the ocean and landing in the Russian River. And for some reason, this one sub-adult (about 2-1/2 to 3 years old) decided to fly up behind a pelican, talons out. It made slight contact but didn’t drag it down.”
I didn’t mean to fall in love with fishing.
Sure, we dated on and off over the years. I did some casting along the North Atlantic as a kid. I threw some lures in the Rocky Mountains and the rivers of the Northwest when I was a young man. But it was never more than casual dating.
Another day of isolation and lock-down during Covid-19, Hardly! We have been so blessed to live in rural Butte County. Close to back roads and beautiful escapes.
All the parts came together on this one. The right boat, the right gear, the best weather, and the right bunch of guys for a fantastic couple of days on the water. And yes, insane fishing!
Sea Adventure 80 is the premier sportfisher for the fall 2-1/2-day charter hosted by Western Outdoor News each year.
I was born and raised in a small town, Ft. Madison, Iowa, right on the Mississippi River. From a very young age, being outdoors was just what we did as kids, from the time the sun came up, till the porch lights came on at night. My Dad helped develop my love of nature, spending time in the woods, fishing, drives out on the country roads, and taking me to spend time on my Grandparents farm.
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