In the spring of any given year people gather to Ilwaco to participate in the "Blessing of the Fleet". Hundreds climb aboard charter boats as they preceed single file up the Columbia River. The Coast Guard will drop a wreath overboard in rememberance of those that have given their lifes in the duty of fishing in the prior year. Others bring the ashes of their loved ones to scatter upon the same waters that took their lifes.
Lying on the further most coast line of the North American continuant is a narrow neck of land called the Long Beach Peninsula. This 23 mile long by 2 miles wide neck is accessible only from the south through the small fishing town of Ilwaco, Washington. To the passerby this is nothing more than a small community that the busy life's of most Americans have only seen in the movies. But this small fishing town is home to four charter companies that make their living fishing. From the Port of Ilwaco, the summer months are very busy taking people up the Columbia or onto the mighty Pacific ocean fishing for sturgeon, salmon, tuna, halibut, link cod and sea bass.
