Adventure Awaits
The early May morning greeted us with gray fog, still air, and a heaviness of what’s to come. About 20 people gathered around three dory boats in the Cape Kiwanda parking lot, ready for an adventure on the sea. For many people, a dory boat fishing charter is a bucket list trip, but for a group of Nestucca High School students participating in the Intro to Tourism & Hospitality class, it was just another Wednesday.
A Career in Tourism
The Intro to Tourism & Hospitality class at Nestucca High School is a joint effort by the local school district and the Tillamook Coast Visitors Association. Its primary goal is to introduce students to the field of tourism and open their minds to the idea of a career in the field. The kids are able to experience a wide variety of sectors thanks to partner organizations: lodging, restaurants, environmental stewardship, cultural heritage, outdoor recreation, and the focus for today—tour guides and charter fishing.
Each semester contains five sessions, and each session is devoted to a specific sector of tourism. The session includes two classroom days, where partners come to the school to present on their sector, and then a final immersive day, where students head into the community to work right alongside our partners, allowing them to fully experience the job.
During the Tour Guides/Charter Fishing session, the kids received a presentation from Connect Outfitters about their business and everything that’s required of them behind the scenes. The following classroom day, Linfield University came to share all about the massive historical project that they have been working on.
And now, a little history:
Do the Dory
Flat-bottomed wooden boats have been launching directly into the surf for over 100 years at Pacific City. Made of lightweight materials, their design is unique and allows for sandy beach launches, no marina necessary. Many Pacific City dory captains actually craft their own dory boats or know someone who does. There is beauty in the design and history of these ships, and the dorymen of Pacific City are keeping the art of dories alive.
The Stories We Tell
There is such a rich history surrounding these vessels that Linfield University in McMinville, OR has spent decades collecting oral histories and documenting the stories of the dory boats and their captains. Their research has culminated in a project called “Launching through the Surf: The Dory Fleet of Pacific City” and their digital commons is home to audio clips, stories, and photography.
If you want more info regarding dory activity as it stands today, check out the Pacific City Dorymen’s Association. They host multiple events each year, including their massively popular “Dory Days”, typically the third weekend in July, which is a celebration of dory culture. You’ll be treated to a parade, a fish fry, an artisan market, and other events.
Immersive Day
For the students final day of the session, three dory charter guide services agreed to take the students on this adventure and Tillamook Coast Visitor’s Association is eternally grateful for their support:
- Rob Perkin from Connect Outfitters
- Marty Wisehart from Sea Bliss Dory Charters
- Kyle Dodson from Oar Angling
Time to Launch
I was assigned a spot on Kyle’s boat (Oar Angling) and objectively, it was the coolest boat in the lot that day. Dark black with a black top and custom graphics of a mean looking face on the front told me that we were about to tell those fish who’s boss.
Although his boat is tough, Kyle is nothing but nice. He greeted us with a smile and a joke, and then got me and the students settled and fitted in our life vests. We went over safety protocol and he ran through the expectations for the day. Although initially nervous about my first dory adventure, I immediately felt comfortable with him. He has an easy charm, knows his way around a conversation, and is affable.
There are specific, important qualities you should be checking for in a fishing guide: someone who prioritizes safety, is super knowledgeable about the catch, and someone you don’t mind being trapped for hours on a small boat with. For Kyle and Oar Angling? Check, check, check.
I had a chance to get to know the other two guides, Rob with Connect Outfitters and Marty with Sea Bliss, and they checked all the boxes too. They told me that a person might be great at fishing, but not so great at guiding, and those are the types that usually go into commercial fishing. These captains are great at fishing AND guiding. To me, a skilled dory charter fishing guide must be able to do both things really well: know and understand the mysteries of the deep, and be a friendly, warm person who can hold a conversation and doesn’t mind answering the same question 100 times. If you are looking to hire a dory boat captain, you can’t go wrong with any of these guides.
Through the Surf
The most exciting part of a dory boat ride has got to be the launch through the surf. The boat is backed into the ocean from shore and released from its trailer, the car quickly driven back on to the beach, and the captain returns to the boat to execute a 180 degree turn so the bow faces the oncoming waves. It’s like a choreographed dance with a tricky dance partner, one that deserves total respect and awe. A dance with the sea.
Captains are skilled at timing the waves to make sure they get the best chance at a smooth takeoff. During our launch, Kyle contended with the sets of waves and got us through with relative ease. The rush of the boat cresting those waves is not something I will soon forget!
Offshore Excursions
Once past the breakers, Kyle took us on a tour around Haystack Rock, also known as Chief Kiawanda Rock. It’s a massive offshore seastack standing 320 feet tall and it’s the backdrop to every Pacific City adventure. If fishing isn’t your forté, Kyle can focus the trips on other points of interest. Some of the best birds can only be seen offshore, and guests often catch glimpses of Brown Pelicans, Black Oystercatchers, Murres, and Tufted Puffins. Marine mammals also make special appearances. On our trip we saw a group of sea lions jockeying for position atop a large buoy. The most massive had the best spot of all, and he let everyone know he was king through his loud bellows and barks.
Sea Stewardship
Kyle told me how he contracts with local stewardship groups that are working to restore the kelp forest around Haystack Rock. He ferries them out near the giant seastack, they hop in with thick dive suits and equipment, and then get to work underwater to save the kelp. Kyle says he has learned a lot from them about their mission and why it’s so important that Oregon maintains healthy kelp habitat offshore.
Fishing guides serve as important resources for stewardship work up and down the coast. They are often the first to notice problems, become aware of concerning patterns or issues, and are in a position to track changes over time. Fishing guides care about the delicate balance of resources in the sea. They want there to be as much fish as possible in the ocean for as long as possible. That was made clear during my time aboard Kyle’s boat. He strictly adheres to species catch limits and size guidelines for crabs, and made it clear that those rules are there for a reason.
While cruising to some crab pots that had been laid previously and were ready to be pulled up, Kyle talked about some of the most impressive things he’s seen while over the ocean. Minke whales, a 90 pound giant Pacific octopus, and a charming story about wolf eels, who aren’t actually eels but instead an eel-like fish with powerful jaws that can grow up to 40 pounds. Kyle shared “if you ever catch a wolf eel, best to throw that right back in. They are a really cool species who mate for life. If you keep a wolf eel, you’ll have a lonely partner waiting for them back at the cave.”
The Finale
As it came time to return to shore, Kyle turned up the music and we charged through the waves, the dory’s flat bottom crashing onto the sand one final time, an exhilarating finish that left a lasting impression on me. A smile plastered across my face, I thanked the captains for giving both the students and me the chance to experience something so special. Few people get to witness moments like these every day, but for the dory captains, it’s part of life. It was an honor to take part in such a historic tradition while also seeing how it continues to evolve in the modern world.
If you are wondering if a dory boat charter is for you, reach out to them and experience the thrill of the launch yourself.
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Categories: Fishing, Local Businesses, Outdoor Activities, Wildlife Viewing
