Whales on the Sacramento River near Rio Vista

C

Cats Meow

Member
Joined
May 3, 2005
RO Number
17244
Messages
159
We were anchored out by Horseshoe Bend near the entrance. I looked over and what looked to be about a 20-30 foot tree submerging. It went back down and resurfaced about 30 yards heading for the channel. I told my husband that looked like a whale and he said "yeah right" Then looked at my white wine I was enjoying with my lunch. Well it indeed was whales. KCBS just confirmed it. Interesting article.

http://www.kcbs.com/pages/455594.php?contentType=4&contentId=498977
 
That video is neat. When we saw them at the point of Decker and Horseshoe Bend they were head straight out to the channel I guess heading up north of Rio Vista. They passed by us not more 30-40 yards away. It was a sight!
 
That is a once in a lifetime experience! How was the fishing out there?
 
Didn't go sturgeon fishing. Just too windy. We trolled around for stripers in front of Sandy Beach and caught a 26" and a 20" striper. This was on Sunday. Saturday we removed our chain/rope anchor rode and replaced with all chain for our windless. Sure works great. I think that pretty much does it for our projects. Can't find anything else that needs attention. Guess we will now just have to enjoy her.
 
So glad to hear that. You've had your share of challenges this past spring.......enjoy!
 
Cats Meow.....way cool. You were lucky to be out there and witness the whales. What great timing! I did get to see Humphrey and will never forget that. Thanks for the links. Saw it on TV and figured there would be something on the Boatered forum. I was not disappointed.
 
It was way cool. First thought submerged log. Who would think a whale. But, when it started swimming against the current couldn't be anything but a whale. Was a lifetime experience especially being that close as they went by.
 
Dang...I agree. They are getting way up there. Thanks for the latest sighting.
 
Lots of background info errors in this report. I've been in Lindsay Slough a couple of times and the water if a good 20 ft deep except near the islands. How in the world did that big whale get under the bridge into the slough? The opening is pretty narrow.......
 
Whales have to be careful where they go. They can't back up. AND they're not used to going into such skinny water. Unless they turn around they'll eventually get into too shallow of water and die.
 
Good news, I guess--latest report has them in the Deep Water Ship Channel headed for Sacto. (I'd give the URL to SFGate, but the articles keep changing....) At least there's a turning basin up there....

BTG
 
LOL The guy on Ch 10 News referred to a Sheriff's 25 ft boat as a "ship" in the shipping channel!

ROMSLMAO.gif
 
This afternoon I received an official CG Aux email requesting all available facilities [boats], crew and cox'n to go to the Port of Sac to help herd the whales back down stream. This will be under "orders" which means fuel will be reimbursed and CG insurance will cover people and equipment. Should be an interesting day for those who participate!
 
I Had a thought. Maybe the mother whale is protecting her injured baby from the rather large number of Orca reported this year.
 
According to the experts they had out there the mother received a blow from a prop cutting a 6in by 2ft gash in front of her dorsal fin a well as taking some fin off as well. the baby received a blow but can not be seen as its below the water line and is difficult to see. Last I heard the round-up to drive them down river was not going well.
 
Update: both whales have started to head south down the shipping channel. A flotilla of CG and sheriff's vessels are following at a far pace. One small vessel with marine biologists on board are up closer to keep an eye on them. The theory is that a couple of tugs in the channel got them moving down stream.

Now the whales have to be protected from boaters and kept from making another wrong turn! Better change your fishing plans this week!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top