We just returned from our annual “shakedown” trip, and I’m glad to report that we both remembered how to set gear and clean fish! Both Dave and I always seem to experience some anxiety the weeks leading up to the summer king opener. A few days ago Dave had a classic dream of being late to clean halibut because he couldn’t find his clothes… there will no doubt be a few more of those in the weeks to come.
We left town on a Friday - which might cause some old timers to gasp. Leaving port on a Friday is one of those classic superstitions that we still think about even when we don’t follow them. There are a few more that we joke about - like no whistling in the wheelhouse, no talking about horses (or pictures of horses or really anything to do with horses) and nothing green on the boat. We do console ourselves by backing out of our slip, which supposedly alleviates the jinx...
We left town on a Friday - which might cause some old timers to gasp. Leaving port on a Friday is one of those classic superstitions that we still think about even when we don’t follow them. There are a few more that we joke about - like no whistling in the wheelhouse, no talking about horses (or pictures of horses or really anything to do with horses) and nothing green on the boat. We do console ourselves by backing out of our slip, which supposedly alleviates the jinx...
We said goodbye to Sitka and cruised north, up and around Baranof Island into Chatham Strait and headed for Kuiu Island. Dave first came to Alaska when he was 20 and worked in a logging camp there and since we had plenty of time to fish we decided to do a little sight seeing. We anchored up in Halleck Harbor, dropped our little row boat (F/V Johnny Cake) into the water and headed for the beach. The black files were pretty vicious, so I had a great excuse to wear my kuspuk! I am always ready to cut seaweed so we cruised around on the shore for a bit looking for lunch before heading inland to explore “Fossil Bluffs”. We worked our way up a pretty steep slope cushioned by thick moss, trying to avoid monstrous stands of Devil’s Club. It had been hot on the beach but once we were in the woods it was cool, dark and quiet.
If you ever find yourself on an island in southeast Alaska and you hear something that kinda sounds like a big kitten meowing in distress, do not waste anytime wondering “what kind of jerk leaves a scared, large kitten on an island?” There is no kitten, and every second you and the waste wandering around with a puzzled look on your face is one second closer to that angry mama bear mauling you.
Yes, that’s right, we realized that there was definitely an unhappy bear cub close and coming closer - the woods were so thick you could barely see 5 feet in front of you. Dave started running towards the beach, yelling at me to “MOOOOOVE” and I moved - it’s a miracle that no one broke an ankle (although my quads are still killing me 4 days later). We scrambled down to the beach, got the Johnny Cake back in the water and rowed home.
Yes, that’s right, we realized that there was definitely an unhappy bear cub close and coming closer - the woods were so thick you could barely see 5 feet in front of you. Dave started running towards the beach, yelling at me to “MOOOOOVE” and I moved - it’s a miracle that no one broke an ankle (although my quads are still killing me 4 days later). We scrambled down to the beach, got the Johnny Cake back in the water and rowed home.
Maybe we’d be better off fishing! We set off for the other side of the bay, found a spot to anchor (surrounded by curious otters) and set the alarm for 4:30.
Sunday came quick and bright. The day after the longest day of the year and it was going to be a hot one! We headed to Kingsmill, got our gear in the water without a hitch and pointed south. There were a few other trollers working in front of us, groups of whales eating breakfast, and a very soft breeze that carried the sweetest scent from the mainland. It wasn’t too long before my inside line was jumping and I ran to the pit to pull it in. Dave was on the phone with Nobletech trying to deal with an issue with our auto pilot, so I enjoyed a quiet moment to myself, pulling up empty lines until I got to my last spoon.
No matter how many kings I pull up to the boat, each one makes my heart quicken. However, some make my heart pound hard - the adrenalin begins to course into my blood and my breath shallows. Sometimes I can tell the fish is going to be a struggle to get over the rail. This was one of those kings. He was big, heavy and I let him swim alongside the boat for a moment. A real slug. I wanted to call Dave in for backup but he was occupied. What a great way to start the season! I took a deep breath and calmed myself. The fish was hooked good and I was ready.
The first thing we do when a fish comes up to the boat is try and stun it as quickly and carefully as possible. A swift blow to the top of the head knocks the fish out and (at least I tell myself this) allows you to bring it on board with the least amount of suffering.
Sunday came quick and bright. The day after the longest day of the year and it was going to be a hot one! We headed to Kingsmill, got our gear in the water without a hitch and pointed south. There were a few other trollers working in front of us, groups of whales eating breakfast, and a very soft breeze that carried the sweetest scent from the mainland. It wasn’t too long before my inside line was jumping and I ran to the pit to pull it in. Dave was on the phone with Nobletech trying to deal with an issue with our auto pilot, so I enjoyed a quiet moment to myself, pulling up empty lines until I got to my last spoon.
No matter how many kings I pull up to the boat, each one makes my heart quicken. However, some make my heart pound hard - the adrenalin begins to course into my blood and my breath shallows. Sometimes I can tell the fish is going to be a struggle to get over the rail. This was one of those kings. He was big, heavy and I let him swim alongside the boat for a moment. A real slug. I wanted to call Dave in for backup but he was occupied. What a great way to start the season! I took a deep breath and calmed myself. The fish was hooked good and I was ready.
The first thing we do when a fish comes up to the boat is try and stun it as quickly and carefully as possible. A swift blow to the top of the head knocks the fish out and (at least I tell myself this) allows you to bring it on board with the least amount of suffering.
I got a great konk on that kings head. Perfectly placed and hard. He did the little shiver circle dance that they do when you lay one on them right and I let him circle a bit and then as he relaxed I sunk my gaff and pulled with all my might! Ooooof over the side and BAM into the box with a thud that brought the Captain running. “Holy Shit” he yelled and our season had begun.
We had a couple good days at Kingsmill, then ran for town accompanied by a happy pod of white sided dolphins leaping into the air and sending sprays of rainbows up along our bow. We stopped to fish for a while at Morris Reef before heading into Peril Straits as the sun set. We anchored in Poison Cove for a nap to wait for a 5 AM slack tide to make our way though Sergius Narrows and back towards Sitka.
Once we get back to town it’s going to be a crazy few days getting squared away for the summer king opener so we're anchored up just outside of Sitka enjoying a few more hours of quiet. We’ll deliver these fish to the Seafood Producers Co-op this afternoon since we’re not freezing yet. Someone (me!) will have to shovel out the leftover ice from our hold so we can get ready to freeze and then there will be laundry, groceries, water, and more before we head back out on Saturday.
Hope you are enjoying summer as much as we are!
We had a couple good days at Kingsmill, then ran for town accompanied by a happy pod of white sided dolphins leaping into the air and sending sprays of rainbows up along our bow. We stopped to fish for a while at Morris Reef before heading into Peril Straits as the sun set. We anchored in Poison Cove for a nap to wait for a 5 AM slack tide to make our way though Sergius Narrows and back towards Sitka.
Once we get back to town it’s going to be a crazy few days getting squared away for the summer king opener so we're anchored up just outside of Sitka enjoying a few more hours of quiet. We’ll deliver these fish to the Seafood Producers Co-op this afternoon since we’re not freezing yet. Someone (me!) will have to shovel out the leftover ice from our hold so we can get ready to freeze and then there will be laundry, groceries, water, and more before we head back out on Saturday.
Hope you are enjoying summer as much as we are!
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