WESTPORT, Wash. — If you're in downtown Westport around noon during the fishing season, you hear the announcements over a PA system as boats return with their bounties: "Attention Westport, we just had another one of our charter boats come in and land..."
They come and go as constant as the tide, always with boatloads of happy fishermen - and women - on board.
Westport charter boats like "Hula Girl" have been fishing for generations - she's been around since 1962. And today, generations caught fish together.
"It was total pandemonium but we made it work!" said Steve Westrick, the boat's owner and skipper.
A grandfather chartered Hula Girl to take all nine of his grandkids fishing.
"We did good, we maxed out everything,” said granddaughter Viola Yeck referring to the limits on salmon everyone in the large group caught.
“Oh, it's a great feeling watching the kids have a good time. And it's really super special for the grandpa and grandma, too, you know, watching their grandkids,” said Westrick. “When we're out there catching fish it's so exciting, it's emotional, thrilling. They have a good time and so do we, we just love seeing people have a good time.”
Landing a big fish can also land you thousands of dollars donated by local sponsors for the constant fishing derby that goes on in town - just take it to 'The Ofish-ul Scale' and let "Derby Dan" do his job.
"I get to weigh the fish, especially the larger ones, as they come in off the charter boats,” said Dan Bohay, who also announces the return of each charter boat to the docks from his microphone in a booth on a sidewalk overlooking the marina.
Rhett Weber has skippered "Slammer" for almost 30 years and runs Mutineer Charters.
He says charter fishing is something anyone can do, and everyone should do at least once.
He's got 3 pieces of advice for first timers:
"Listen to your skipper, and what they're telling you to do as far as how to fish."
"If you're worried about seasickness, take precautions, precautions are cheap. It's cheap insurance, take a little bit of Dramamine.”
"Beyond that, just go out and have fun. Enjoy the ocean for what it is, and enjoy the fishing."
We’ll add one more – be sure to bring a cooler for your catch.
Sponsored by Unforgettable Grays Harbor County
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