No I didn’t say I was crabby

 

Hanging out with Jim and Scooter we learned that there might be an opportunity to get some crabs around Port Hardy.

Having never done this before, we decided to give it a try. Steve started studying the tides to figure out when the best time would be. For me I just figured you need to go when you can wade out and the water won’t be over my head!

We hooked up with Jim and Scooter and set out for Storey’s Beach.  It isn’t your typical beach as compared to the ones along our coasts. They are mostly rock and then become sandy so it’s a challenge for me to walk when I have my waders and felt bottom boots on. I think you get the picture – Tory slip sliding away!

Getting ready. It's already a lot of work!

 

We started out and Jim showed us what the red rock crab looked like and explained the Dungeness coloring. We also had to pay attention to size and whether they were male or female.

We started looking intently at the water and spotted a few red rocks. Too bad they were only as big as a silver dollar!

Steve and Jim on the hunt for crabs

 

Since we weren’t having any luck at Storey’s beach we headed to the beach at Carrot Park. Maybe we will have better luck at catching some of those elusive crustrations!

We started working our way out a bit and found some of the red rock crabs that were actually large enough for us to scoop up an put in our bucket. I really shouldn’t say scoop since you actually have to snare them!

Proud hunter, eh

 

I was walking behind where Jim and Steve were hunting and didn’t have a snare so I had to use my brain a bit to figure out how to grab the ones I was coming across.

Since my brain wouldn’t catch them, I put my gloves on and reached down to simply pick it up. Good thing I have cat-like reflexes so they couldn’t grab onto my fingers!

We did find something other than a crab. No it wasn't a mermaid, but a starfish!

Not quite a crab but what a starfish

We also had our own crab herders to help us. Well at least Izzy and Scooter thought they were helping. We think they were more about swimming and chasing each other.

Steve on the search, not so much for Izzy and Scooter

 

When we got a bucket full of crabs, red rocks and one Dungeness, we headed toward the truck. It took me awhile to get my waders and boots on to begin with, but when you’re motivated to go eat fresh crab and have a beer, you can get undressed pretty fast. Not!

Our catch which made for a great feast

 

We were proud of how well we did and Jim cooked them just right. We ate as much as we could and lots of leftovers.  What a day! Oh yeah Izzy had a lot of fun too. She slept well that night!