During our salmon fishing trip in the San Juans, we caught a couple of fish that I wasn’t expecting to catch—a dogfish! Basically a little shark.
We caught two dogfish that day and it was really interesting to see them up close. Both had completely different markings. We looked at them, took pictures, then threw them back in the water.
Here are more pictures from that weekend. It was a beautiful day from start to end!
This past weekend, I had the amazing opportunity to go salmon fishing in the San Juan islands. It was my first experience with salt water fishing, completely different from what I’ve done before!
We started the morning on the water at 5:30am and went to pick up another couple heading out with us. It was a beautiful morning—calm water, perfect temperature, and beyond stunning surroundings.
We started trolling an area with one other boat, there were three lines in the water. Three of us were new to salmon fishing so we decided to take turns with who would reel in the lines. I was standing in the back to watch the lines and take pictures, it was a breathtaking view.
I noticed one of the lines starting to bob up and down and mentioned I thought a fish was on the line. They yelled to grab it, but being totally honest, I froze up a little. I knew this was expensive fishing gear and I had the worry I’d either mess something up or drop the pole in the water to never be seen again.
The main guy taking us out came back and got the pole then handed it to me while saying, “Reel!!” Having only reeled in small catfish in a tiny lake, reeling in a bigger fish with a current was a bit harder. I reeled and eventually got the fish to the surface, several yards behind the boat.
It was a salmon! I kept reeling as he got the net ready to scoop up the fish. I was worried the salmon might get off the line as it got near the boat, but it was close enough for him to net it and get it into the boat.
My first pink salmon!
We spent the day on the water trolling for more salmon. One more was caught that day. A few made it on the line but were lost. It was an incredibly fun day.
I also caught another first, but I’ll post about that next week. Here’s a hint, you can only catch it out in salt water!
I’m slowly settling into this being my new view. Life’s been hectic with all the changes, but things are starting to get back to normal.
I’m going to go try out bows in a couple of weeks. I’m really excited to find one I love.
Next weekend I’m headed out salmon fishing in the Puget Sound. I’m really looking forward to it! Definitely expect a post. Hopefully I can catch one!
Hunting season is just 2.5 months away!
Women’s outdoor retreats, a weekend geared toward women learning new skills in the great outdoors. This year, I’m attending the Washington Outdoor Women’s weekend workshop to learn new hunting and fishing skills. I’m really excited!
Here is a snapshot of some of the workshops offered this year.
Through the course of the weekend, you take three workshops. I’m hoping to take archery, duck hunting, and fly fishing. Regardless of what I’m able to take (workshops can fill up and you get your second or third choice), I’m really looking forward to learning new things in the world of hunting and fishing!
I’m also really looking forward to meeting other female hunters. Part of the reason I started this blog was to connect with women hunters and hear their stories. It’s great that there’s an event in my area that allows me to meet several other women also interested in the outdoors.
Check to see if your state has a similar weekend. My quick google search showed similar retreats in several other states.
I can’t wait for September! A great event to kick off hunting season.
Have you ever attended a women’s outdoor retreat? Did you like it? Share your experience below!
One of the things I like most about hunting is the fact I can disconnect from the hustle of life and enjoy nature in solitude.
This past weekend, I went camping to celebrate the Fourth of July. I had zero phone service for 3 days and it was amazing.
I enjoyed being outside and spending my time talking to the people I was with. It’s funny how little people actually talk to each other these days.
One of the things that drew me to hunting was being in the outdoors. It’s an escape away from being so connected with technology.
This past weekend reminded me just how much I like to disconnect and has me excited for a fall full of it. I’m also excited cause we’re going to hunt close to where we camped and I saw a nice three point buck in it’s velvet! Always gets the adrenaline going!
So, do you love to disconnect from technology and enjoy your time in the outdoors? Share your thoughts below!
I’m still in my transition period of this new job and place to live. It’ll probably take a couple weeks before I’m completely settled and can start planning hunting things out this way. Good news is that I’m able to go on an awesome hunting retreat this fall, I’ll post more about it next week!
What’s your favorite to hunt?
My move was successful and I’m slowly settling in. I now have a bigger group to talk hunting with which is awesome. A friend and family member were both telling me about their love of muzzleloaders.
I don’t have much knowledge about muzzleloaders and have never seen anyone shoot one. They look cool to learn to shoot though. So add on yet another gun I want to eventually buy!
I hope to buy a bow in a month or two. Maybe next year I can look into muzzleloaders. Washington does have a tag you can draw that allows you to hunt multiple seasons. So it would be nice to be able to truly hunt all three.
So, what’s your favorite to hunt with? Or do you have one you’d also like to learn? Share them below!
Hope everyone has a great Fourth of July weekend! Be safe!
I read this quote earlier this week and it really struck a chord with me.
I’m in the midst of packing to move to a new city and start a new chapter of my life. Packing everything has been a trip down memory lane of my time here. From my hunter safety certificate to hunting boots with mud still caked on, I thought about everything that led me to create this hunting blog.
In some people’s eyes, I’m sure it looks like I’ve changed from the person who I was when I moved here. I’m leaving with lots of camo, hunting gear, and a new passion for the outdoors. But I feel that more than changing, I just found myself.
I found something that excites me and makes me constantly want to learn more. I found something that has me looking forward to a 4am alarm clock. I found something that challenges me and makes me strive to be the best I can be. I found something that brought me closer to my family and connects me to nature.
I found something that makes me truly happy.
There’s more to it than merely changing. And if some people don’t like who I am now, that’s okay. Different things make different people happy. But I haven’t been this excited or motivated about something in a long time.
So am I leaving here the same person I was a few years ago? Not at all.
I’m so thankful to be the person that I am today, with a new, evergrowing passion for hunting.
PS – I’m going to do my best to keep posting during this transition, but it might take me a couple weeks to get settled in before I can put my full attention back to the blog. I have a lot of exciting hunting things planned for the next several months and I can’t wait to write about them!
I’m ready to take the plunge and get into bow hunting!
I don’t know many people personally who bow hunt, so I’m hoping some of you hunters can help me with my search for the perfect compound bow.
I’m looking for a bow that will be in the middle of the pack price wise, I can’t see dropping $800-$1,000 right out of the gate as I’m learning. I want to use it for deer and elk hunting next season. And, since I’m not a fan of the colors, no pink or purple bows.
I’m so excited to get out and start learning! I’ve been interested in bow hunting since before I even took the hunter safety course. It looks like something fun, as well as challenging. I don’t want to rush getting a bow, so I’m ready to spend the next several weeks going over articles and product reviews.
What all did you feel you needed to buy to be ready to go out in the field? I’d love to hear your experiences with the bows you currently use or have used.
So, what compound bows do you love and recommend? Are there any brands you’ve found that are better than others? Let me know in the comments below!
If you love hunting, especially bow hunting, check out The Full Draw Film Tour. It’s stopping in several cities along the west and midwest, so check to see if it has a stop near you.
Above is the trailer for this year’s tour. Unfortunately, I won’t be near any of the stops when they’re happening, but I wish I could go!
I love storytelling, so throw in hunting and I’m basically in love. I have not actually gone to The Full Draw Film Tour, but I did go to the Hunting Film Tour last year and it was great. Check out last year’s trailer below.
As much as I love hunting season, I also love baseball and college football seasons.
It has been several years since I’ve enjoyed a Major League Baseball game in person. 
I’ve spent the last couple of days in the sunshine watching America’s favorite past time, which means the post I planned on writing didn’t happen. I’ll post it later this week (there’s a hunting film tour likely coming to a city near you!) But I didn’t want to miss a post for this Wednesday.
Besides hunting, what seasons do you love? Share below!
Country Huntress 