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See Seattle, Elliott Bay and the Puget Noise from various points of view! The boat tours and trips from here array from 1-hour harbor tours to overnight expeditions in some of the world’s most stunning waters.

The most significant city in the Pacific Northwest is sandwiched in between Puget Noise and Lake Washington, each backed by its own stunning mountain range, making boat tours in Seattle an extraordinary experience. Seattle boat trip operators provide a range of alternatives, amongst them sunset sails, harbor trips, and dining tours.

Most of the boat tours consist of a 2.5-hour Locks Cruise that brings you in between saltwater and freshwater by means of the historic Hiram M. Chittenden Locks, and a 1.5-hour Lake Washington Cruise exposing lakefront estates and the longest drifting bridge in the world. Rounding out the choices are a Saturday white wine tasting cruise and a Sunday historic cruise, both on Lake Union.

Supper tours are readily available every night, breakfast tours on weekends, and dinner tours on Sundays with Waterways Tours and Occasions. The 2.5-hour supper cruise, restricted to ages 13 and up with a business-casual gown code, includes a four-course supper of Northwestern food and narrative detailing the sights.

Since the 1980s, Cruising Seattle has welcomed travelers onto its two 70-foot high-performance cruising luxury yachts, the m/v Fascination and m/v Neptune’s Vehicle. Dragon Boat Tours is continuing its legacy.

Depending on the schedule, you will see floating homes, sea airplanes, the renowned Seattle horizon, and lakefront estates, amongst them the estate of Costs Gates. Tours go out rain or shine, and every vessel includes enclosed places.

Also, Dragon Boat tours include an interactive search for treasure, enjoyable games, talk-like-a-pirate lessons, and the possibility to shoot water cannons.

For the previous 33 years, Seattle has understood us as their number one cruising trip, and the enjoyable isn’t stopping anytime quickly. There is no much better alternative for a boat trip in Seattle.

Take in the lakefront surroundings of Seattle as you travel along the city’s interconnected waterways in a glamorous and stylish motor private yacht. As you drink, take a look around at regional landmarks from Lake Union to Lake Washington, consisting of the Space Needle and the remarkable waterfront statement at the University of Washington.

Step aboard the lovely Dragon Boat in Seattle’s contemporary and dynamic South Lake Union Neighborhood and sail throughout the water to experience the city like a local. Your captain blends mixed drinks and mocktails for you to delight in as you travel along next to seaplanes taking off and landing on the surface of Lake Union.

Move along and keep an eye out at Emerald City landmarks like the Space Needle, the sloping green and old refinery at Gas Functions Park, and the blue-and-orange Fremont Bridge opening to let sailboats go through. Motor into Portage Bay to have a look at the city’s popular floating homes, especially the home from Sleepless in Seattle, and go through the Montlake Cut into Lake Washington for an up-close view of the University of Washington’s popular waterside arena.

Dragon Boat Tours Highlights:

  • Glamorous cruise around Seattle on a stylish modern-day private yacht
  • Opportunity to unwind & drink a mixed drink while taking in the landscapes
  • Trendy method to see downtown sights, consisting of Space Needle
  • Views of Floating Homes, Gas Functions Park & Husky Arena
  • Informative commentary from your guide about Seattle history

school of tuna

There are several different types of tuna among them are the famous giant bluefin, yellowfin, and albacore tuna. Albacore tuna is the type of tuna that you get in the grocery store in cans, where is yellowfin is the more premium tuna that is served in restaurants.

Tuna roam the entire ocean.  They have vast migratory patterns.  It will help you to understand these when you go trolling for them

For sport fishermen interested in catching tuna there are four main techniques that you will use these are trolling, chunking, jigging, and in some cases, you will use live bait to troll for tuna.

What you need to understand about tuna fishing is that tuna are predatory fish always on the move hunting for their prey. The key to catching more tuna is to put the correct baits in front of them and you will eventually hook up.

Now, it’s important to understand that the different colors of the fishing lures and as well as the different sizes and shapes are all important to be successful in having a successful fishing trip.

Location, location, location! We’ve all heard it before you need to pick your spots where the fish are, and this will be one of the biggest determining factors and whether you hook up or you spend the day doing nothing.

So how can you improve your chances? Well it starts with great tuna trolling lures. You might think all the different variations in tuna lures are unnecessary, but the truth is the tuna doesn’t care what you think. They are going to go after what looks like an easy meal for them.

There will be small differences that certain species of tuna prefer that will make some lures more effective than others.

A good rule to follow is the bigger the lure, the bigger the fish. So if you’re trying to catch a giant bluefin you’re going to need massive resin tuna trolling lures, but if you are trying to catch just small albacore you will need a lure a fraction of the size.

Another reason for all the many different sizes and shapes and variations of the lures is that the tuna wisen up. If you’re fishing on a whole school they will quickly figure out what you were doing, and that is why you need an arsenal of different size shapes and building materials on your lures if you want to be effective.

Probably the most effective technique on tuna especially on the east coast is using single lures.

What do I mean by this? Well things like spreader bars and dredges don’t seem to work here on the East Coast. Although I have found that when you find a great single lewer oh, that’s all you need.

After that you need to consider your trolling speed. I have found that you need on average to troll a little bit faster. The Sweet spot that I have found is right around 7.5 miles per hour to 10 miles per hour. Also you need to consider wind. If the winds are above 25 to 30 knots, well you might as well go home, because you’re just not going to be able to land any fish.

One of the side benefits of trolling for tuna is that you will often catch other fish such as Mahi sailfish and even wahoo and Marlin. This is why tuna fishing is in the category of sportfishing.

Tuna specifically reside near the surface of the water in the top 100 ft, but in some areas such as deep in the gulf stream they can reside all the way down to a thousand feet of water. The most amount of success have caught tuna is in the first 100 feet below the water surface

So how do you find that you know?

Well, tuna move and large schools a fish known as bait balls. How do you find a bait ball? You let nature tell you. You can’t spot a bait ball on the water if you see a lot of commotion in the water such a splashing and also from above if you see a bunch of birds dive-bombing into the water.

These are the classic signals of a bait ball. This is where you want to drop your lines and troll back and forth for tuna in this area.

Tuna are one of the most popular fish in the world both for sportfishing and for eating.  Because of this, it’s important to keep up the population numbers and you can help by reporting your catch.  Here is a great place to do it: https://hmspermits.noaa.gov/catchReports

So which type of lures should you use? We’ll go over a couple of the best ones right here.

Steel Bait tuna trolling lures.

A steel bait trolling lures is about 5 in Long and weighs half an ounce. You can get these in multiple different colors including black orange, Pearl blue, and even pink and green. They have a bullet head design that is steel plated and has a large flash mylar skirt, that really catches the eye of predatory fish.

remember, tuna are smart so if you’re using large lures and they are not working remember to switch it up, and try some smaller lures. You’ll be surprised how much more fish you catch by mixing it up.

Hammer tuna trolling lure.

A hammer lower is about 6 in long and weighs 3/4 of an ounce. The blue and yellow version is the most successful for landing tuna but the pink and black blue and orange gray and tan versions have also been known to work pretty well.

These effective lures are usually fist without any bait because when fishing offshore of North Carolina this is the best technique.

Bullet daisy chain.

A daisy chain is a more advanced level of trolling for tuna. The daisy chain has 5 4 inch teasers, and then the main lower is about 8 in Long.

It’s always good to have a daisy chain when you’re trolling offshore. Most of the time a single lower is your best bet, but it’s great to have another tool in the toolbox like a daisy chain when the fish are wising up to your techniques.

Now, these are just some of the basics that you need to know. Remember, there are no hard an fast rules in fishing.  There is no exact process you can follow that will guarantee you catch a bunch of fish.

There are only best practices and techniques.  Always be on the lookout for what works best for you and on the unique water that you fish on.

Also, if you’d like to get better at trolling for these predatory fish, this is a great article to read: https://www.sportfishingmag.com/boats/boating-skills/six-patterns-successful-offshore-trolling/

And remember, fishing is about having fun!

 

Tuna are some of the fastest most beautiful fish in the water.  It takes a lot of work to know how to raise these fish and get them on the deck.

You need to use the best in high speed trolling lures and you need to know what you are doing.

The speed at which you troll your boat is also important.

For tuna, and in particular for giant blue fin tuna, you want to troll at about 4.5 up to 5 knots.

It also is important to go trolling for tuna offshore at the right time of the year.  The winter won’t cut it.  The time that you want to go is from the second week of June, and you can usually catch fish right up until the end of August.

 

Last Commercial Shoot on the Viaduct

The Emerald City is is sandwiched by Lake Washington and Puget Sound. If this is your first visit to the area, you certainly want to take advantage of a boat tour. Pike Place Market is a must visit, too. Seattle is a port city, a major gateway for trade. Get ready to explore the best of Rain City by booking one of the best boat tours.

This first tour is going to familiarize you with Friday Harbor. Are you ready to do some whale watching? Whale watching from Friday Harbor is an adventure you don’t want to miss. You’re going to see plenty of orca whales because they are over near San Juan Island feeding on salmon. The boat for the tour features great viewing windows, and there is a heated cabin. You might also catch a glimpse of humpback whales, gray whales and minke.

Now it’s time to board the Victoria Clipper and enjoy a day trip. This boat ride is going to take you to Victoria, British Columbia. Talk about an adventure! The scenic route taken makes for a truly remarkable ride and you’re going to enjoy the views of the Puget Sound. Upon arriving at your destination, you get to check out the city of Victoria and everything it has to offer. The historic downtown district is one of the highlights.

Probably the Seattle boat tour that is the most fun, especially if you have your whole family, are Ride The Ducks of Seattle boat tours.  The Duck boats have been operating in Seattle since the 1990’s and are really unique in that they are amphibious.  The are old beach landing boats from WWII, so they had to sail on the water, then drive up on to the beach to deliver troops.

The Duck boats are a great way to see Seattle and the keep it family friendly by not only telling you about the sights in Seattle and the history, but also cracking jokes that kids and lighthearted adults get a real kick out of.

The Seattle Harbor Cruise is a great way to see more of Rain City itself. You want to see as many of the landmarks as you can while visiting, right? This is one great way to do it, enjoying the views this harbor tour provides. This operation has been in business for decades. You’re going to see the Space Needle, Mount Rainier and so much more, and the commentary during the tour helps you get to know the city a whole lot better. Get your dose of Seattle culture with The Seattle Harbor Cruise.

Seattle Locks Cruise is another great option. It features a boat and bus package combination. This is another chance for you to get to see everything Seattle has to offer. Are you familiar with Lake Union? This tour takes off from Pier 55. You’re going to take in great views of the Puget Sound, and you even get to check out the docks that are used in Deadliest Catch. Have you seen that popular show? Enjoy this boat tour offered up by Argosy Cruises.

This next opportunity highlights itself as a cocktail cruise. You’re on vacation, and you might as well enjoy a drink or two, maybe three. In all seriousness, imagine enjoying your favorite cocktail while taking in the beautiful sights surrounding Lake Union. Your first round of drinks is on the house, too. You’re going to see Husky Stadium, Gas Works Park and much more. Seattle’s Favorite Sightseeing and Cocktail Cruise is operated by Candere Cruising.

Clipper Vacations offers another San Juan Island & Friday Harbor whale watching tour that departs from Downtown Seattle. If you happen to be staying in that area of the city on vacation, this cruise might be more ideal for you than the other one mentioned earlier. Have you ever seen Dali’s Porpoise? This could be your chance to see a lot of the wildlife in the area, including bald eagles. Many people end up spotting seals and otters, too, and of course the various whales the guide will point out during the 2.5 hour tour.

This next opportunity is another cocktail cruise, and it is a shorter ride. The one hour sightseeing cocktail cruise also takes you out to Lake Union, and the boat only takes six people out at a time. That is interesting because it makes for a more intimate ride. You get more attention and can ask all your questions. Be sure to check out all the cool drawbridges that Lake Union has to offer. You’re going to see seaplanes, too. And the scenic shoreline is enough to take in as you enjoy those scrumptious cocktails.

How about a hot tub cruise? The Lake Union Hot Tub Cruise lasts two hours, and up to 6 people can take the tour. You steer the boat yourself, and you get to enjoy all the sights and sounds while in the hot tub. Reviews mention that the office that books these tours is also a boat. How cool is that? Are you ready for a nice hot tub cruise around Lake Union?

What about fishing? Boat cruises are typically seen as sightseeing tours, but a fishing charter would be a lot of fun, too. No Worries Fishing Charters is on Kitsap Peninsula, and they certainly have an adventure waiting for you in the Puget Sound. And while you’re out there fishing, you might also be whale watching and seeing all kinds of wildlife. You’re certainly going to enjoy the views of Mount Rainier, too. The fishing charter offered by Captain Lorenzo and his crew lasts for four hours. How many fish can you catch during that time?

Ballard Kayak and Paddleboard adventures are also available. You can check out all different kinds of watersports opportunities while in Seattle. Don’t forget to make your way to all of the attractions in Downtown Seattle and in the outlying areas, too. You want to get a full look at Rain City, experiencing all the culture that Seattle WA brings to the table.

Eight cruise opportunities were presented to you, and you get to decide which one you want to book. If you have enough time and money while on vacation, you might want to try out a couple different cruise experiences. That trip to Victoria, British Columbia would have you setting foot in Canada, too. That would be neat.

Is it going to be a hot tub and Lake Union? Or do you like the sound of one of those cocktail cruises? Maybe you are set on heading to Canada as part of your vacation fun. One thing for sure is Seattle and the Puget Sound is going to blow you away.

Allied Arts asked members of the greater Seattle architectural design community to produce visions and renderings of what the Seattle Waterfront could become without the Alaskan Way Viaduct and prioritized as a place for people, not just a transportation corridor. Below are some of the highlights that illustrate the major themes from the collaborative.

Click here to view the complete Waterfront For All report in PDF format. (Please be patient…the report is large and requires several seconds to fully download for viewing.)

1) Terminal 46 near the sports stadiums is an 88-acre land filled pier at the south end of Seattle’s waterfront. That much land could be used for a variety of purposes. One idea is to create a mixed-income housing development for as many as 8,000 families.

2) An innovative idea for Terminal 46, which is currently a container-ship transfer station, is to provide temporary or transitional housing for low-income citizens. Done in New York and London, this use would allow the Port of Seattle to re-claim the land for shipping purposes if greater need arises.

3) Terminal 46 is also an opportunity to restore some of the natural environment that was destroyed as Seattle grew. Estuaries and islands could be created to provide wildlife habitat for fish and fowl, as well as recreation for people.

4) Tearing down the Alaskan Way Viaduct and digging a cut-and-cover tunnel will generate thousands of tons of rubble. An easy and effective solution to disposing of the waste is to recycle it into a grass-covered hill on Pier 46.

5) Like Mount Rainier, Seattle Center and the sports stadiums, Seattle’s Waterfront is a regional amenity. Residents of the Northwest and visitors alike will appreciate the new Waterfront if it’s authentic to the spirit and nature of Seattle. The Puget Sound ferry system is the largest in North America. Finding ways to highlight the ferries is one way to make sure the Waterfront is true to the region.

Seattle Arts Beer and Culture Nights

Allied Arts was founded in 1954 under the name of “The Beer and Culture Society.” More than fifty years later, we still like that name so we’re honoring it with our “Beer and Culture Nights.”

By convening groups of smart, energetic and public-spirited citizens in an informal setting and by providing snack food, beer and a hot topic, we hope to inspire free-ranging and uninhibited discussion that will be enormously fun and can lead to civic action.

Suggested Donation: $20.00. Free to low-income. All donations appreciated, regardless of size. Your contribution supports Allied Arts.

 

Big Time Park |South Mountainshore Road | Hampton, WA

September 7, 2019
The Delta Dragon Boat Races Fund, administered by the Community Foundation of Waymore County, was created to bring the Delta Dragon Boat Races back to Lake of the Cross creating another opportunity to bring our community together through this fun and unique “team” water sport! Healthy competition is the name of the game as teams compete against one another in this incredible team building event! The races also provide an “out of the classroom” experience to show our youth throughout the Delta the benefit and importance of team building, commitment and working together towards a common goal. Proceeds from the Delta Dragon Boat Races will be utilized to support non-profit organizations doing significant and meaningful work in the area of youth programming in Waymore County.

Mark your calendars now!! Then, find yourself 11 co-workers, friends and/or family members (10 paddlers and 1 drummer) to join you in this exciting event! Forming a dragon boat team is easy! Included in your team registration is a practice session where we will show you how to paddle and race. Practice sessions and race day include all of the necessary equipment such as a boat, paddles, life vests, a drum and a steersperson or coach.