2011 Trip 3 - Pacific Grace

Today was one of those idyllic days that do not come around very often. We continued running north from Alert Bay yesterday as the wind was calm. At 0500hrs we arrived at the northern end of Calvert Island which lies about 60 miles north of Port Hardy. Calvert has one of the nicest beaches on the coast and our goal was to be on that beach today with the forecasted sun. We arrived on the beach near 1000hrs very near low tide. This beach is like Long Beach near Tofino. A large white sand beach that we had to ourselves, delightful. Games were played, formal and informal, people swam and body surfed while others went for long walks down the beach chatting.  Everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves. Back on the Grace by 1400hrs we were headed to a notoriously hot fishing spot to try our luck. Forty five minutes was all we needed to secure the cherished Salmon we were looking for, great excitement all around. As the wind had been building all day we were lured out to sea for a wonderful sail through the gentle Pacific offshore swell. Setting sail off the fishing grounds we headed offshore to an outlying group of rocks to try old style Fishing Schooner jigging. After an hour of sailing we hove to (adjusted the sails so the boat would hold its position) and began jigging. Once again the productive west coast came through  and within 30 minutes there was enough cod on deck for our next meal. Fish on deck we sheeted the jib in trimmed the main and were off once again sailing towards our present anchorage of Pruth Bay on the North end of Calvert Island. The sun is setting and there are many smiling sun tanned faces up on deck enjoying the final hours of this spectacular day. Yes all are very well and looking forward to mug up (Salmon on the menu) and then their bunks.