The 2023 Plan for WA Fish Quest

Let me save you a watch... after a really productive last couple of years, I plan to take a step back. Expect much fewer videos this year. But I hope to have some really good work in there!

[@PoserdaveOutdoors]

It was great getting to fish and hang out with you Blake! Hope to see ya again in 2023!

[@WAFishQuest]

You as well Dave. You probably don't know this... but... I'm a dangler!

[@patriciaward3207]

Hi Blake, so glad I found your channel, learned lots ! Love the history you put in your videos.

[@WAFishQuest]

Thanks so much Patricia!

[@nicholaswarren3776]

Let’s go fishing Blake

[@WAFishQuest]

Appreciate it Nicholas! Super appreciate it. But I can't say yeah, as I got enough fishing partners in my regular life, and like to go alone half the time to clear the cobwebs. 🤙

[@NorthwestOpenSeason]

I can relate to a lot of the things you’re saying. Just coming back from a year off myself, and we’ll see how it goes. Good luck this year.

[@WAFishQuest]

Good luck NOS! Welcome back!

[@MoonGoose-9876]

Blake-Love the hat! I completely respect you putting family first. We will appreciate whatever you are able to share with us. Have a great 2023.

[@WAFishQuest]

Awesome name MoonGoose! Super appreciate it!

[@Kado244]

Looking forward to 2023!

[@WAFishQuest]

Thanks as always Kayden!

[@SoundFishing2020]

I appreciate the diversity and range your channel brings to the community. I'm looking forward to seeing what this year will bring.

[@WAFishQuest]

Thanks again Tom! You are always very kind to me.

[@garroncrashhaun5533]

Congrats on meeting your 2022 goals! 1 video a week is a lot of work, especially when it's just you doing everything. I always appreciated the content and the effort you put into them. I'm looking forward to 2023, and super curious what you might have cooking up!

[@WAFishQuest]

Thanks a ton Garron! I super appreciate the encouragement as always!

[@corporatemark6137]

Love the Gremlins Santa hat! 😂

[@WAFishQuest]

If Corporate approves, as do I! Ha ha, appreciate it!

[@HobbiesHobo]

Excellent! Working on youtube can be a lot of time. It can also be really rewarding. I find it very difficult, once the camera is rolling I forget how to speak my own native language but I'm not giving up. Made many great friends by trying this out. Whenever I meet someone who is interested in trying it, I always encourage them to do so. This year I am trying something new as well! Already in production! haha

[@BigBeavrSlayer]

Haha in my videos I frequently get tongue tied and then I just blurt out "English is hard" then continue rambling

[@HobbiesHobo]

@@BigBeavrSlayer Haha, LOL, maybe I'll try that! Mike.

[@WAFishQuest]

I feel you Mike! I get way more mush-mouthed than usual when the camera is rolling. I always enjoy your stuff!!

[@joevales6775]

Hi Blake, Happy New Year to you and your family. Congratulations on free diving with Chris! Now that we are past the worst of the pandemic, I'm hoping to drive down to Westport, and hopefully meet you down there for crabbing, surf perch and jetty fishing. You've inspired me to start fishing again. So in Canada, our licensing starts April 1st, so I will take both my tidal and non-tidal licensing up here. Hopefully I can come down several times in 2023 and hit Westport. I will make my annual Oregon trip in the summer for surf perch, jetty and crabbing. Thank you again. Blessings! PEACE!

[@WAFishQuest]

Thanks Joe! Our licensing year in Washington also starts April 1! Good luck, hope you can make it down to historic Westport!

[@SteelheadTed]

Just found your channel and it’s great. Genuine content is hard to find sometimes concerning Puget sound fishing and I like your style. I’m relatively new to salt water fishing and I’ve already learned a few things from your videos. So, thanks!

[@WAFishQuest]

Thank you Ted! That compliment makes my weekend!

[@troytwibell6876]

I’m excited for another year of WFQ even at a sparser pace. If you ever do a, “fishing etiquette” video i would love to collaborate.

[@WAFishQuest]

Thanks Troy! That's a good idea for an episode. I'll get a hold of you if I do something like that. 🤙

[@dgarreis]

Looking forward to whatever you have to share no rush! Thanks

[@WAFishQuest]

Super appreciate it Daniel!

[@jeffwhiton9151]

Thanks for all the content!

[@WAFishQuest]

You're welcome Jeff! Thank you for the thank you!

[@jacobbrown8905]

Have you thought about a sturgeon video yet? That would be a good one for a historical endeavor cause they're ancient. Also be fun to see you battle a tank.

[@WAFishQuest]

Hey Jacob! Every year I say I'm going to do a sturgeon video and near get around to it. Maybe this year! I will do one at some point for sure.

[@gordonv2456]

30 years ago my riveted boat fell out of the barn roof and leaked. When I saw your boat leaking I wanted to say I found a product called Alumaseal. It held for years until I sold it. I wonder if your leaks came during transport on a trailer with a lot of weight in it or bashing waves? Alumaseal cured to a brownish color so the repair was ovbious.

[@WAFishQuest]

Thank you Gordon! I don't mind a little discoloration. I appreciate the intel!

[@gordonv2456]

@@WAFishQuest I would try sealing the outside bottom first since you have direct access to the rivets there. On your floor you have two pieces riveted together that may prevent reaching the leaking spot(I think).

[@nate.or.nodate]

Love the goal setting and sharing! You’ve inspired me in 2023! I’m going to prioritize learning how to free dive! Going to give Oregon Freediving Co a chance. How was your experience with them?

[@WAFishQuest]

It was good! My only major criticism (and it's not too major) is the owner/instructor is SO good at freediving (holds some US records) I don't know that he can understand what it's like to really suck at freediving and train to that level. If you don't have some kind of aptitude for it, which I don't, you're sort of on the struggle bus. I'd be kind of like being trained at basketball by Michael Jordan if you never picked up a ball before. Besides that, no complaints!

[@nate.or.nodate]

@@WAFishQuest thanks for the honest insights!

[@corbfisher]

You have a . . . . plan? Just kidding, of course you do. Glad you met your goals. I love your content and the collabs sound like a fun change to your process. I hope you start doing more stuff with the forest, like mushrooms and things like that too. Regardless, we really enjoy your videos.

[@WAFishQuest]

Thanks as always Corbfisher! My plan is usually to rob a bank. But I'm getting old and the west is changing! Thank you for the feedback on forest stuff!

[@PeelingLine]

Hope you have a great 2023. Editing is really a PITA. I feel you with the stepping back. It's easy to neglect other aspects of your life fishing all the time. I look forward to seeing your higher quality content. I may have missed it (or forgotten) but did that fancy camera you got bite the dust after the dip? 👍

[@WAFishQuest]

Hey Brett! It did, but company, DJI, honored their warranty. Most of this video was shot using it. Thank you for the editting being a PITA solitude! ✊

[@SteveFromWyoming]

Sure sounds like your a very busy guy Blake. Kinda disappointed I wasn't on your list of collabs, but maybe next year.

[@WAFishQuest]

I'm all for barfing all over your boat this year tho Steve! 🍻

[@KevinLee10360]

Any plans to have a return of washington fish cooks?

[@WAFishQuest]

That's a good idea Kevin! Could be a way to get some videos out without too much time commitment. 🤔

[@outdoorsrj]

Huge fan of your channel Blake! Looking forward all the great fish quest videos you’ll put out in 2023!

[@WAFishQuest]

Thanks a ton outdoorsRJ! Hopefully some will be GREAT!

[@PNWSamson]

Thanks for the shout out man, I'm catching up. Quality over quantity for sure. Looking forward to them!

[@Jarom.M]

You touched on what you perceive to have "quality" in a video. You elaborated on it one of your goals for the next year upping this. I've heard other KZbinrs describe this as an increase in Production Value. Maybe checking into ways to improve Production Value can help you to obtain this goal?

[@WAFishQuest]

This is a million dollar comment Jarom! Yeah, production value is the breakout of all the components of a video (plot, audio, cinematography)... Jotting down some ideas for improvement in each one should result in some concrete improvements. Thank you!

[@Jarom.M]

@@WAFishQuest Exactly! Small improvements add up fast when they are done across the board.

[@kevinstorm2167]

Blake, as always another great video! I got a buddy who you could collab with who is local, send me a pm and I will pass on info to you.

[@WAFishQuest]

I have no idea how to PM on here, but thanks a ton Kevin!

[@Kado244]

You're my favorite non-KZbinr KZbinr if that makes sense.....?? I'm not going to mention the channel but you know the other about fishing in Washington.

[@Kado244]

Love the channel keep up the work!

[@WAFishQuest]

Absolutely makes sense! Thank you so much Kaden!

[@aliciamonroe615]

There is something more to the "crossroads" in your conversation than that little side clip? Do the important things first (family, friends, life). I'd rather see one great video, than 5 hurried, there , I got it done vids.

[@WAFishQuest]

Nope, just the lesser vids, with some really good quality ones in there hopefully!

[@spiltmilt]

Sounds like a great plan!

[@WAFishQuest]

Thanks Tyler! This cutting back will allow me more time to leave three comments on every Spilt Milt video!

[@NorthwestAdventurerNWA]

I’m excited to be here with you for 2023 and I truly appreciate our 2022 collab at Westport & Tokeland - that was fun! Keep up the great work Blake!

[@WAFishQuest]

Thanks so much David! That was an absolute blast! Look forward to getting together again.

[@mattdavis822]

Happy New Year

[@WAFishQuest]

Happy New Year Matt!

[@chrishenderson6806]

Thanks so much for all the great videos this past year, and all the years. If you ever just wanna get out and hit some trout and pan fish in grapeview or show a guy how to target salmon I'd enjoy the company. Looking forward to a great 2023.

[@WAFishQuest]

Thanks Chris! If I'm out that way I'll keep that in mind. 🙏

[@OftLieN]

Organize a meet-up on a lake this spring.

[@WAFishQuest]

Thanks OftLieN! Maybe! Appreciate the thought! 🙏

[@MrMarkAMartin]

I agree, as much as I enjoy your work, you've got a family that comes first. So many push it too far and just get burned out. Losing you would be kind of like losing a friend. As odd as that sounds, let's protect your interest in the long run. I'm with ya, family first, KZbin 5th

[@WAFishQuest]

Very well said Mark! Burn out can occur, great point. I think I'm past it actually. Thank you so much for the kind words as always!

[@pnwadventurequest]

Hi Blake! Love your videos. I'm a Docent with the Black Diamond Historical Society. Along the Green River Gorge is a Steelhead rearing pond and above that along the creek is an old retention dam that was used unsuccessfully for growing Bass. I'd be glad to take you out there some times to explore the site and share more of the history!

[@youraveragefishkeeper]

That part of the river is beautiful.

[@WAFishQuest]

Sounds great! I'd do an episode, or incorporate that history, into an episode for sure. When is a good time to visit?

[@pnwadventurequest]

@@WAFishQuest I am out there pretty much every weekend so any time you're free.

[@zacharyspoons]

It's an odd-numbered year Blake! Vashon should be getting a big ol pink run in late august, and if you're out in the area I'd be happy to show you the hot spots my dad and I have fished for years. Thanks for all the great videos over the years.

[@WAFishQuest]

Thanks Zack! I may take you up on that, since Vashon isn't too far from me. I do look forward to the pinks in general! Thanks for the kind words! 🙏

[@rhiannonblue5988]

Ok Blake. What trail were you on? Its driving Flint nuts 😊

[@WAFishQuest]

Hey Steph! Hey Flint! That was the Grass Lake Nature Preserve. Thru some careful editing, I was able to make it look not in the middle of a neighborhood!

[@rhiannonblue5988]

@@WAFishQuest awesome thanks. We hope you and the family have a great year and we look forward to more fish quest :)

[@ThePiscatorian360]

Nice recap of your year, sounds like you hit those goals. Love the festive fish hat by the way.

[@WAFishQuest]

Thanks Jerry!

[@WorkingClassFishingPodcast]

We are very excited to see what you have in store for 2023! Cannot wait to do some more collabs in the future!

[@WAFishQuest]

Thanks WCFP! I'm still up for a smelt collab if we get a run!

[@tymartin5099]

Recently stumbled upon your channel and loving it… Why don’t you monetize? It’s some of the best content on KZbin.

[@WAFishQuest]

Thanks a ton Ty!! I wouldn't make my viewers site thru ads. I also reject consumerism culture. (if I could pick the ads, maybe it wouldn't bother me, but since I can't I try to keep them off my channel). It's comments like this that keep me going! 🤙

[@tymartin5099]

@@WAFishQuest Very respectable stance… A lot of what I’ve learned from your videos is priceless… Much appreciated!