STILL A LONG WAYS TO GO

Saturday, May 11, 2013.  We pulled the crab pots this morning, nothing but star fish in them.  We are leaving early so we can ride the current north up Johnstone Strait.  This body of water has a reputation as being a rough place to be when the current and the wind are going in opposite directions. But today the weather gods were in our favor.  We anchored up for the night in Port Neville.  We put out the crab pots for the night and started our bear watch.  Saw two black bears just before dark. 

Sunday, May 12, 2013.  Pulled the pots but nothing but star fish this time.  Saw another black bear on the beach. We left early again to catch the current going north and had another great cruise.   We did not see another boat for over three hours as it is so early in the season except for those folks going to Alaska.  Stopped at Mound Island for the night.

Monday, may 13, 2013.  Saw yet another black bear last night.  Tried to take the dogs for a walk on the beach but they were really spooked by something.  I think they could smell bears!!  No luck in the crab pots so left this morning for Port McNeille. Great moorage rates here!!.  Only $35.00 per night including electricity.  There is a BC coast guard boat tied next to us.  The weather report is for winds of 10-mph the next 3 days so will probably just stay here since we have internet service and can monitor the weather forecasts closer.

Aye Aye Sir tied up in Port McNeille

Canadian Coast Guard in Port McNeille

Tuesday, May 14, 2013.  When I took the dogs for a walk this morning we came across some bear scat in the lawn right on the marina property.  Maybe I will take my bear spray with me tomorrow!! We spent the day laying around the boat waiting for better weather.  We will probably leave here Thursday morning and cruise up to the very end of Vancouver Island where we will wait for the right time to cross Queen Charlotte Strait.  It is over 40 miles back across and the swells come in from the Pacific ocean along with whatever wind waves there may be.  There are several weather buoys off the West coast of British Columbia that send reports of the wind and wave conditions so we will monitor these reports on the internet and go when things are in our favor.

Thursday, May 16, 2013.  We left Port McNeille this morning headed for a small bay along the Queen Charlotte Straits called Clam Bay.  We ran in heavy fog for four hours not seeing any other boats along the way.  Took the fishing boat out bottom fishing and caught one small rock fish.  One other boat came in late.  They were from North Carolina and had been up to Alaska and were on their way back to Bellingham.

Logging camp on floats in Clam Bay. When the job is finished they can tow it to a new site.

Friday, May 17, 2013.  We pulled anchor at day break (5:15am) and headed out into the “big water.”  Had a perfect weather forecast, no wind and a low westerly swell.  Also no fog until we got all the way across.  The stabilizers worked great and kept us from rolling from side to side and we had a great ride.  Arrived at Fury Cove at 11:00am.  While walking on the beach we found some really large barnacle shells and mussel shells.

Looks like rain in Fury Cove tonight

Reminder:  You can follow along with us by looking at the map located on the right side of the blog.  Just click on the “follow along”to open it up and than click on the plus and minus signs to zoom in or out.

Saturday, May18,2013.  Left early again this morning for Codville Lagoon.  We were the only boat when we arrived but two others came in later and spent the night.  We took a boat ride around the bay looking for wild life but came up empty.  Rained on and off most of the day.

Sunday, May 19, 2013.  Cruised up to Ocean Falls this morning.  This is a abandoned mill town but there are a few people still live here.  They have a great little marina for visiting boaters with power on the docks and all the water you can use.  Talked with one of the local fellows who said they have had some problems with wolves.  Seems there are now a few less cats in town.  Will need to keep the dogs close to us when walking.  We have put out the crab pots and on the first pull came up with four nice keepers.  Not so lucky with the shrimp pots.  Only four shrimp the first pull.  Will leave all the pots out over night and see what happens.

Ocean Falls

Docks at Ocean Falls

Monday, May 20,2013.  Went to breakfast this morning at the local one and only restaurant.  Dell was a little shocked when he paid the bill.  I tried to tell him about not going to places where there are no prices on the menu.  Pulled the shrimp pots and got 45 more really big prawns and the crap pots were full of big crab.  Guess what's for dinners this week!!

Full crab pots and a bucket of prawns

The new crew after a hard day of catching crab and prawns