Halibut

I set off today to catch some halibut.  The summer has been slow in the usual spots so I headed out someplace new.  I wasn’t sure which way I’d go though, the local charter boats won’t give up where they take their clients and the few people I know who fish say they haven’t been having much luck.

Halibut come shallow in the summer time, I figured I try in the 150 to 170 depth range and see what happens.  I spent a few hours checking out different random spots before

Full Freezer

finally coming upon a nice spot on the other side of the island that produced two nice fish in short order.

Once I got back I cut the fish into single size servings ready for the vacuum sealer.  I went to the store to pickup some vacuum bags only to find out they were out.  I had to settle for some seal-able freezer bags instead.  I got home and started to package the fish before I realized I’m out of space in the freezer.

All Jarred Up

Uuuugh, well I managed to get most of it in there, the rest I put in the refrigerator or cooked.  I need to find more space.

I have plenty of fish for the year, I might go after halibut again and I could use some crab, but I’m running out of space to hold all if.  The Silver salmon are on the way and they are my favorite of all the salmon to fish for.  Of the silvers I get this year, some will be cut into steaks, some will be cut, smoked and jarred.

Abby & Wild Eyes with broken rigging in the Indian Ocean. Picture taken from http://soloround.blogspot.com/

So… following Abby Sunderland’s amazing adventure and her recent troublems I felt like posting about it for those of you not familiar with  her solo sailing adventure around the world.  At 16 years old I believe it  is amazing.  Her Brother Zac did it a year ago at 17, and 16 year old Australian  Jessica Watson the official record holder for the youngest sailing solo & unassisted just finished last month.   Although block by the government there were plans for a 13 year old Dutch girl to make the attempt as well. (that’s a good story by the way)

My interest in sailing isn’t much, but my interest in adventures is undying, I’m always dreaming of the treks I want to do and it’s been said by many that I am most happy when planning out my next adventure.  Abby has been sailing alone on the oceans of the world since January when she started her solo bid.  That’s a long time to be out on a boat by yourself.

There are some that say it is child endangerment, reckless and irresponsible for her to have been doing this.  I disagree!  She had everything she needed in equipment and more importantly knowledge, confidence, experience and support.  So right on Abby!

This year I’ve decided to try my hand at pot fishing for King and Bardai crab.  I borrowed three pots from friends and set two of them yesterday.  These first two are set for Kings and the last one will be set much deeper for the Bardai.  I need to get a little more line because of the depth and hopefully I’ll get it this week.

Crab Pots on Deck

I’m still going to dive for crab but with the summer season here and the Fire Fighter Academy in full swing – my time isn’t as free as it used to be.  So I figure why not.  One of the biggest considerations for using pots to fish crab is getting them out of the water.

Most boats fishing pots have a ‘pot puller’ or a block with an electric or gas motor and wheel used to pull up the pots from the bottom.

I’m not really interested in adding anything to the boat and the exercise wouldn’t hurt me – so I’m hand pulling the pots.  Takes a few EXTRA minutes to pull them from 60 to 80 feet but they get eventually get up and when I’ve worked out all the the cramps in my arms – I check and set them back.

No luck on the fishing, but the time was well spent just having a good time.  About noon or so Aura sent a text saying that

Aura In The Captains Chair

if I was taking the boat out she was in.  I text her back saying bring lunch and beer and I’d be back at the harbor at 1230 to pick her up.  Perfect timing – she was there with an assortment of lunch items and snacks and some beverages.

We headed back up to Unalaska Bay and floated between Hog Island and Eider Point for a few hours.  Lunch was good, and the next three hours we fished and enjoyed a day on the water.

Just before heading in we were met by two Alaska State Troopers.  They were out on the water enforcing safe boating rules and regulations.  They noted a few items I did not have and gave me booklet that outlined what a boat of my size needed to have.  They let me go with a ‘have a nice day’ and we were off.  It was time to head back to land and call it a day.  (almost)

USS Northwestern - Captains Bay, Unalaska

Glenn, one of our employees at the hotel was leaving on vacation in a few days and for the last two years has wanted to go out on the boat with me, but never really had the time.  So later in the evening we went out for one last Memorial Day cruise around the island.

We went down to the USS Northwestern at the end of Captains Bay, zipped through a few of the small islands there.  The tide was nice and high so we maneuvered around and I grabbed this shot of the ships bow which remains out of water despite the fact is was supposed to be sunk in deeper water but drifted shallow before sinking.  We then went around to Unalaska proper and took a look at the old church that almost everyone identifies with Unalaska there off of front beach.

We kept it short, it was nearly 10pm and the wind was picking up, but it was fun and he was happy to finally get on the water.   The day ended with a few beers down at

Russian Orthodox Church, Unalaska - Alaska 2010

the Harbor View Inn (Unisea Inn) and then some more relaxing time at home.  Tuesday was just another work day.

Priest Rock ~ Cape Kalekta

or Beaver Inlet and do some beach camping while hiking, fishing, exploring and relaxing and head back to town on Monday.  Well as is usually the case out this way, the weather on Friday and Saturday didn’t  work to my favor in regards to getting the boat out and through Unalga Pass.  So the first few days were spent in town just relaxing.

When Sunday rolled around the winds were down to almost nothing and the water was really flat.  It was time to get on the water.  Headed out of town and decided that a closer Kalekta Bay was the destination.  The water was fairly flat and the going was easy.  Fished around the bay with no luck.

To me it’s a little early for serious fishing.  The Halibut are deep and the Salmon are still a week or two away.  There is some good bottom fishing for some lesser known and fished species but I have yet to find them.  I’m working on it though.

Sunday was nice, spending nearly 10 hours on the water just cruising around the bays enjoying the day and weather.  Summer is almost here.

After the trip was over and we were pulling the boat our of the water I started to wash off the boat by throwing buckets of water on it.  Aura was

Aura Just Before Karma Kicked Me!

busy packing up the stuff inside when I heard a thunk!  Oh man – I looked up and Aura was holding my pack and asked if my camera was in there.  I could tell she was worried and I could not resist taking advantage if it.  I started getting all upset and rash, telling her she needed to be careful, that it was a $500 camera and it’s the only one I have and she should be careful and mindful of things even if they aren’t hers and on and on I went.  She started to feel pretty bad, repeating over and over she was sorry and if it was broken she would buy a new one.

As I was picking up another bucket of water, I grabbed my camera (which was actually in my front wader pocket) and turned it on and looked up at her, snapped a quick photo and said “I know you will!”  After seeing the camera she cursed repeatedly at me!   Hahahahah I thought, another practical prank in the books!
I placed the camera back in my front wader pocket, took the bucket of water and started to dump it in the boat, I missed however and the water hit the side of the boat and splashed right back on me and the front wader pocket dousing my camera completely!   KARAMA! EERRRAAGH!

Canon Powershot G10 In Pieces

Smiling Rob

This post is almost three weeks due.  After spending some time up north of Fairbanks, I headed down to Anchorage and spent some time with some old friends.  One of them was Rob who had lined up a company fishing trip to Seward to chase some late season Winter Kings (King Salmon).  I spent a few days with Chris in between his hitches on the slope, and then met up with Rob en route to Seward.  I should say first off that we didn’t catch any fish, although we did hook an eagle.  I’ll post the video of that later on.

I'm Fishing, Go Away!

The drive down was just as I remembered.  The tides of Turnagain Arm, the long stretches of highway with abrupt semi-blind curves.  All the mountains and trees.  I’ve driven the stretch at least a hundred times.  The last however about six years ago to do some fishing on the Kenai.   We treated the drive like  a poker run, stopping at the Brown Bear Saloon near Indian for a beer.  I had one of my local favorites.  Midnight Suns Kodiak Brown Ale.  While we waited for the rest of the group to show up the guys played pool and I just milled around chatting.

Our next stop was a little bar and hotel in Moose Pass.  We all ordered a few more beers and some exotic blueberry hot wings, then drove another 20 minutes in to Seward where we made it to the hotel and got settled.  That night we had dinner and drinks then spent four hours or so at the world famous Yukon Bar having more drinks and took in the live music and local folk .

Fishing

I’ve spent the last 13 years drinking with Rob and I’d say were both pretty good at it, as well was most of the others in our company.  It was like old times and I was happy to be there.

We eventually made our way back to the hotel and crashed.  Our boat the next morning was supposed to leave at 0800.  I think we got there about 0830.  Since the whole boat was chartered for two days, the skipper and crew didn’t care when we showed up.  They already had the money and knew we would be there at some point.

We spent a good portion of the day on the water, heading out and fishing along the cliffs that lined the bay.  We trolled up to Bear Cove and Glacier, then over behind Fox Island.  We fished at varying depths but had no luck.  Just wasn’t our day.  No worries though, good stories, good company,  and lines in the water.

Had we actually caught some fish, the pictures would be different and the story would continue for pages.

You can check out more images from the trip in the Photo Gallery.

Whales Breaching Near Unalaska

Over the past month whales have been making their way through the coastal waters around the island.  Last week I took the boat out for a test run and while passing through Captains Bay and Devil Fish Point saw a group of whales entering the bay.  Then past them to the west at the face of Devil Fish Point two juvenile whales were breaching and having a good time.  I’ll apologize now for not having a a fancy camera with a telephoto lens.  I do have Photoshop though to help adjust and clear up the images.

I’m not sure what kind of whales these are.  I’ve heard they are either Sei or Humpback.  Maybe this weekend I can get a little closer and take some better shots.  Other local bloggers have posted some better shots of the whales if your interested.  Just browse their sites.  Here

Whales Breaching Near Unalaska

are a few more images.

Whales Breaching Near Unalaska

Whales Breaching Near Unalaska

Damn Distractions

For some reason today is really difficult to get focused.  I have a lot going on right now with work and although on the edge of finishing a big part of my current project, I find my mind being pulled away from work to thoughts of fishing and boating.  Is the next fishing season really here already?  I can’t put my finger on exactly what is pulling my attention from work to play but I’m sure I’ll figure it out.

I am one of the lucky ones that can fish year round where I live.  Sure it’s a little slower from November thru April, but there is still some fishing to be done and when the weather is good, I’ll take the boat out and drop a few lines.

The last of my winter boat maintenance and upgrades are nearly complete.  I added hydrofoil wings to the engine in hopes of improving it’s fuel efficiency and to keep the boat on step at slower speeds.  So far, I’ve only had it out once with the wings and I have mixed feelings about them.

I’m happy to report I finally replaced the rubber boots on the toggle switches for the electrical distribution panel.  I spent four or five months searching forums and service bulletins, calling and email marine experts trying to find the right ones. Then about two weeks ago I broke down and called the manufacturer, and as you might have expected they had them in the mail the next day.

Hmmmmmm... Distracted!

Also added to the boats fuel system is a tank selector / fuel shut off for the two 12gal tanks I’m running.  I had originally tied the two tanks together with a brass T, however after reading several posts about connecting two tanks together it was obvious I needed to be able to isolate the tanks.  The primary reason is that if the tanks do not empty evenly and one becomes completely empty, the fuel system will pull air from the empty tank because it’s easier than pulling fuel from the other.

I have bids in on a few more small accessories on eBay.  I’m in need of a sea anchor to slow me down when fishing for halibut.  The winds can pickup up and blow you around pretty quickly here.  The other item(s) I’m hoping to get are some rod holders that mount to the rails of the boat.  So far I have the winning bid on both, but I expect that at the last minute the bidding war will begin.

…. oh jeeez, where was I?  Online inventory tracking and availability integrated with the PMS system and the global distribution system connector to travel agents?  Hard to image getting distracted with this one.

C/P American Dynasty, Unalaska March 2010

significant enough to end it’s fishing season and to warrant the removal 86 processors of it’s 120 crew.  We got the call sometime around 5:00pm on Saturday that the boat was to tie up around midnight and that the crew would be taxied to the hotel for accommodations.  We spent four or five hours making rooms available and setting up roll-a-way beds in one of the conference rooms, then stocked extra towels, soaps, shampoo etc… at the desk.

The hotel was already full, we only had ten or twelve rooms available at the time and placing  an average of two to three people is a room left a lot of folks with nowhere to sleep, shower or relax. Our housekeeping staff did a great job making out of order rooms available and maximizing some of the space in our larger rooms to help place the crew.

As it turned out the boat didn’t arrive until Sunday and people started to arrive at the hotel around 11:30am.  It was hectic for the front desk and food & Beverage staff.  It seemed to be quite a shock to the rest of the guest coming and going to see a large crowd gathered in the lobby with obviously no where to go.

By 7:00pm the desk staff had everyone placed and the food & beverage staff had everyone fed.  Everyone seemed to be comfortable.  All they needed to know now was how and when were they going to get back home.  Representatives from American Seafoods flew in to update the crew on what was happening and how things were going to be handled.

A break in the storms over the past few weeks has put flights and backed up passengers back on track, which is freeing up rooms for the crew.  Being in the middle of fishery transition – (the end of crab and cod and the switch to Pollock) has also helped free up rooms.  Hopefully the weather will hold and flights will continue.

Vessel Specifics

C/P American Dynasty
Length: 272 feet
Horsepower: 8,000
Tonnage: 3,480
Crew capacity: 120
Products: Bering Sea pollock and Pacific Whiting surimi, pollock roe, fishmeal