This has been an incredibly stressfull and frustrating time for all of us in the Sportfishing industry.  Luckily, we are all healthy and safe and we hope you are too!

The state has finally granted authorization to open sport/charter fishing to all of the relevant local officials on June 12, so we are very hopeful that we will soon be back in operation!  We have spent the last six weeks preparing protocols and prepping the boat for operation under the likely new rules.  The final hurdle left, is a determination by the county health officer, Wilma Wooten, wilma.wooten@sdcounty.ca  that our sector is appropriate to re-open and that our protocols are sound.  These same protocols have been accepted in many other counties and we are confident that we are ready!  It may not hurt for her to hear how important Sportfishing is to you.

There will be some changes in how we can operate in order to keep everyone safe.  First of all,  we will be instituting passenger and crew screening of everyone before they board the boat.  We will be conducting temperature checks and asking a few simple questions about your health over the last couple of weeks.  Anyone with a fever of 100.4 or higher or a new cough or other symptoms will be denied boarding.  I will also be instituting a "no questions asked" policy regarding cancellations if you are feeling ill.   I don't want anyone to feel that they must come even if they are ill because they would lose their money otherwise.  Please don't abuse it!

Masks will also be required for passengers and crew.  I recommend a sun protection type "buff", as many of you wear them already and they are comfortable for long periods of time.  I am also asking you to bring your own sleeping bags and pillows, as I feel it is not possible to adequately sanitize a pillow even if the pillow case is changed.  
 

Please be assured that we will doing everything in our power to keep all of you as safe as possible.  The berthing areas will be extensively sanitized between trips, all surfaces in the galley will be continuously wiped down, and the heads will be sanitized throughout the day.

In order to accomplish our social distancing effectively, we will be dropping our load.  Our 1.5 day trips will now be limited to 25 people and we are transitioning to an "all inclusive" business model.  This will require an increase in price, but I feel that you will be getting good value for your money as all food will be included and the only extras would be beer/soda, tackle (if required), and fishing licenses.  One day trips will not change, and food will still be available on an "a la carte" basis.

Thank you for your understanding, these are extremely challenging times for all of us,

Markus Medak