Oregon Coast experiencing ‘jumper year’ with unusual catches

ILWACO, Wash. – “Jumpers!” “Birds!”

The shout is electric as engines are cut, live anchovies are flung into the crystal-clear, 64-degree water and six anglers race to tether others on hooks, then lower the wiggling temptations below Mike Colbach’s 43-foot, twin engine “Shake N Bake.”

“Fish on!” comes the shout, followed by “Fresh one!” and another...and another...

Half an hour later, the meticulously sparkling white deck is bathed in crimson, staccato-slapping albacore tuna and busy boots.

When the tuna finally holler Uncle, we’ve got 19 on ice.

Decks and boot bottoms are washed and we proceed to the next bite.

By day’s end, the fish boxes are packed with 38 tuna and can hold no more, so we turn for home, 35 miles east.

Their average will be close to 22.5 pounds, with the largest a