September
2008 Cruise News
We
left Sitka in late August bound and determined to catch some halibut to freeze
for winter dinners. The weather was not cooperating for ocean fishing so
we headed toward Peril Strait where we have been successful in the past.
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We
were happy to see that there were still whales in the vicinity. |
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We
decided to try setting a halibut skate. Alaska residents are allowed to
set skates to catch enough fish for subsistence. A skate is a long line
that has up to 30 baited hooks attached to it. The only thing we caught
from two sets was a BIG Skate (that's its name -Raja binoculata is the formal
name) which is basically a 4 foot, 50 pound sting ray. We had never
seen one or heard they were up here but we sure found out the hard way. |
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While
fishing, Chuck was able to take these photos of a bald eagle with a new
camera we are trying out. |
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We
are liking this camera a lot. Great photos. |
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One
of the anchorages in Peril Strait that we visited for an evening was Hanus
Bay. |
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If
one were to believe the charts, Hanus Bay would be filled with pilings
scattered everywhere. All the underwater piles and cables have been
removed to make it a nice anchorage in settled weather. Unfortunately,
our anchor picked up an old underwater cable that they missed during the
cleanup but Chuck got it free fairly quickly. |
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This
sow and two cubs must keep very close to the Hanus area because we saw them
only a few weeks ago when my brother and his wife were here. She
practically runs down the beach and the cubs have a hard time keeping up with
her. |
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Continuing
in our quest to catch a halibut, we spent the day at Kakul Narrows
fishing. No halibut but Chuck caught this huge lingcod. |
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The
lingcod measured 42 inches long and weighed 24+ pounds. |
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While
fishing, we noticed a couple of whales fishing the same area. They
would go back and forth through this one section of fast running water.
Later in the day, one of the two whales breached in front of the boat.
We didn't get a photo of that first breach but we did manage to get a photo
of it when it breached the 2nd, 3rd and 4th times. This photo shows how
far it was from the boat after the initial breach. |
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With
the new camera, we were able to get some fairly good closeups. We still
need more practice tho. |
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It
is funny how things happen up here in Alaska. We've been cruising these
waters for almost 5 years and this is the first summer we have seen more than
one breaching whale and close enough to view without binoculars. It is
a truly awesome experience to see these huge mammals come out of the
water. You just suck in your breath and say, "WOW"!! |
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After
the whale breached, it then decided to do some tail slapping. |
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And
then dove for the day... |
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That
night at anchor in Shulze Bay, a lone bull Orca came into the
anchorage. Seems his dorsal fin has fallen over from the weight.
It was interesting that he was alone. Usually Orca travel in pods of at
least a few whales. |
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The
end of September is also the end of the cruise ship season. Chris
joined Baronof Arts and Crafts Assoc. (BACA) and was immediately cajolled
into participating in an end of season "sale", her first experience
in selling jewelry "on the street". Sold some items, but more
importantly, met new people from around town (and tourists). |
Fall
certainly must be here. We have had much rain, lower temperatures, frost
on the docks in the morning, and the higher mountaintops have a light
dusting of snow. We have our assigned slip for the winter and have
started partying with our fellow liveaboards. We have several new boats
and their owners spending the winter so we will have fun. Until next
month....
Chris
and Chuck