The 2004-05 El Nino was in the weak category, with peak 3-month ocean temperatures only 0.7C above average. But El Ninos differ from one another, and also there is not a very strict correspondence between El Nino strength and the strength of the climate impacts. This is an excellent illustration of the fact that the correspondence is somewhat loose. Also, while you fared well in the 1997-98 event, many others along the California coastline were not so lucky.