Whale of a Tale

I anchored the boat so the clients could jig up some rock fish. Looking at the fish finder I was surprised to see clouds of krill moving under the boat. That could either be a good thing, or have the rock fish so full of fresh krill that they would not be hungry for our jigs.

  We had observed whales blowing most of the day, but it seemed they remained just out of camera range.

  The rock fish were hungry and the clients began a steady jig, set the hook, reeled in rock fish, and back for more.

  Suddenly out of nowhere a bellowing, whistling, scream erupted right off the stern of the boat. We all jumped and had our hearts flutter in our chests. A massive whale had come up right off our stern and blasted his steaming breath in the rain soaked air with

nearly deafening sound effects.

  Rods were quickly stuck in the rod holders and bodies went flying into the cabin for cameras.

  We spent nearly the next hour filming a whale show that was nothing short of incredible.

  There were cows with calves, big bulls, and other younger loner whales working the mass of krill floating near the surface around us.

  The big bull whale was so distinctive with his bellowing screaming blow. It almost brought chills each time he surfaced.

  The whales would skim the surface with mouths open and the upper portion of their faces out of the water, scooping huge mouthfuls of krill. Others would slash the surface with their huge side fins, but one cow with a calf would stand on her head and

send sheets of water flying as she smashed into the krill with her massive tail.

  We burned a huge amount of memory as our cameras clicked and clicked at the show around us.

What an incredible experience it was. As much as I'm out on the ocean and get to watch these enormous beasts, I never tire of the show they put on.

  It was one whale of a show for sure.