Perch return to area

Fisherman finds out the fish are back

Local fisherman Wes Wesson with the red tail perch he caught at Kellogg Beach in Crescent City on Wednesday. Wesson believes that the fish have returned after leaving following the tsunami surge that hit here on March 11. The Daily Triplicate/Michele Thomas

He said that he believes the tsunami surges from Japan that hit the area March 11 displaced the fish for a while.

Wesson,  a well-known local fishing expert who has taught fishing seminars here, said that red tail perch were out in force on Wednesday.

Wesson said fish had not been biting for him and other local fishermen who fish from shore since the tsunami hit.

“The only fishes were at McDonalds — the Filet-O-Fish,” Wesson said.

“I want the community to know that they’re back,” he said. “It’s not only back, it’s completely back.”

Wesson hopes that this bit of good news can  bring some cheer to a community still reeling from the damage to Crescent City Harbor.

He said he noticed seabirds  going crazy at Kellogg Beach and saw a lot of activity.

“The birds were really hitting the water and the perch were just jumping,” he excitedly recalled. “I just stumbled onto them. I  couldn’t believe it.”

Wesson took his light fishing pole, grabbed his bait of uncooked shrimp, and began fishing from shore.

When he was finished he had caught his fill of perch.

“I was going up and down  the beach showing them to everybody. I was so excited,” he said.

Wesson proudly displayed his catch in front of The Triplicate offices and said that they were all good-sized at around more than 2 pounds each.

Wesson said this type of perch is particularly tasty.

“They are the tuna of their family,” he said. “They are the top dog.”

Zach Larson, a local fishery biologist, said it is hard to say for certain if the recent tsunami had anything to do with the lack of fish.

 He said perch are migratory, which could also explain their comings and goings.

Wesson believes the tsunami surges rolled over the plankton so much that it killed them.

This might have caused a trickle-down effect on other sea life such as clams and mussels and caused the fish to depart, he said.

Fish like perch should now be not just at Kellogg Beach but up and down the coast, Wesson said.

“When you see all the birds  feeding that’s where they are,” he said.