HELPPPPPPPPPPPPP!!! WE STILL CAN’T CATCH A SALMON.

After watching the fishing shows on TV you would think you could catch salmon, halibut, and rockfish anywhere and everywhere in Alaska.  Not the case!!!   We still have not caught any fish worth keeping and eating.  Since the travel guides don’t really address fishing, all we can do is talk to other boaters or look for other boats fishing. We will keep trying.

Tuesday, June 18, 2013.  This morning we headed out for Read Island Cove in Farragut Bay.  We ran into a little rough water before we got in but no problem.  What a beautiful place to stay.  We can see snow peaked mountains all around us and the water is as smooth as glass.  We tried salmon fishing as we had seen two boats fishing when we came in but no luck.   There are commercial crab pots out everywhere!!  Probably will spend two nights here.

Our view in Read Island Cove.

Thursday, June 20, 2013.  Today we were up at 4:00 am and under way by 5:00 am.  We are headed for Cannery Cove on Admiralty Island.  It will be a 35 mile, 5 hour cruise across open water and we want to cross it before the afternoon winds pick up.  We anchored as close to the head of the bay as possible so we can watch for wildlife.  Within 1 hour we saw two grizzly bears and a third one later in the day.  I launched a kayak, and armed with binoculars and a camera with a telephoto lens, paddled toward the beach.  I couldn’t get close enough because of the shallow water so could not get any photos but I will try again tomorrow when the tide is higher.  Needless to say I won’t be walking the dogs on the beach here!!

The scenery in Frederick Sound on the way to Cannery Cove

Cannery Cove on Admiralty Island.  Bear beach in background.

Mama eagle and her offspring on the beach.

Saturday, June 22, 2013.  This morning we left early and crossed back across Frederick Sound, arriving back in Petersburg just after lunch.  It rained most of the way and we used radar because of the poor visibility, but had no problems of any kind.  Saw several whales and once again had some Dall porpoise riding our bow wake.  We must have passed 20 commercial fishing boats headed toward Sitka, there must be a opening tomorrow or Monday.  There is a sport fishing boat across from us tonight from Florida.  They have long outriggers and fishing rods with electric reels.  There is also a chair mounted to the back swim step so they don’t get to tired fighting the big one.  Looks kind of out of place up here.  We will slowly start working our way south in the morning so we can be back in the Anacortes area in mid August.

Sea lions resting on a channel marker near Petersburg.

The sport fishing boat from Florida.  Electric reels and fighting chair.

Some of the fishing fleet in Petersburg.

Sunday, June 23, 213.  We started out today at 12:00 in order to have the current going our way thru Wrangell narrows.  Once we were thru and into Sumner Strait the water was dead calm and the sun was out.  We are headed to a small bay called Roosevelt Harbor on Zarembo Island.  Maybe we can find some salmon fishing close by.

A beautiful day looking north toward the Wrangell Mountins

Pinch me!!  Is this really Alaska weather?

Looking out of Roosevelt Bay.

Monday, June 24, 2013.  Went fishing this morning but still no luck.  Roosevelt Harbor has been great.  There is a small craft dock so I was able to take the dogs for a walk on some of the gravel logging roads.  I talked with some of the local loggers that are working here and they say there are no bears but there are wolves.  We left about 11;30 am, headed back down Zimovia Strait and over to Frosty Bay for the night.  This is a very small space to anchor in and as a result we are closer to the beach than I like to be.  Since there is a 4.3 minus tide in the morning we will be leaving early once again.

Tuesday, June 25, 2013.  Underway about 6:00, headed south down Seaward Passage and into Ernest Sound.  From a distance I saw four grizzly's on the beach all together.  Two were cubs, the mother, and one mid size bear.  I need to research and see if the previous year cub will stay with the mother bear when she has new cubs.  Found a place to tie to the dock in Meyers Chuck, had lunch, and went fishing.  Later in the day the dock filled up with US  and Canadian boats. The weather has changed and it is raining tonight.  Tomorrow we will probably head for Ketchikan.

Wednesday, June 26, 2013.  Underway at 6:00 am, headed south to Ketchikan.  The water was smooth but I turned on the weather forecast anyway and they were saying small craft warnings in the area we were in.  What the heck!!  It’s as smooth as glass out here so we kept going.  Had a good trip all the way and saw several salmon jumping.  Tonight we are tied up in Ketchikan.  After dinner we walked to the laundry and got that out of the way.  Tomorrow we have fishing on the agenda.  Wish us luck.

Another boat with Pat's name on it.  How come I never see one named Russell??

Click on the map to see where all these places are in relation to each other and how we got to these places.You can use the plus and minus signs to zoom in and out and click on the map and drag it to where you want it.

KETCHIKAN , WRANGELL, AND PETERSBURG

Monday, June 10, 2013.  Today Del and Orlaine wrap up their 40 day cruise up the Inside Passage and our daughter Chrissy flies in to start her 7 day cruise with us.  It was great getting re-acquainted with Del and Orlaine and hearing all the stories about my dad and other relatives.  Del can scratch one of the must do’s on his bucket list.  Orlaine learned not to listen to all her friends tell her she was going to get seasick because she was a real trooper the few times it got a little rough.

Chrissy is really excited about catching and eating some fresh seafood so the first thing we did was get her a fishing license.  We had a few hours Monday afternoon so we went to down town Ketchikan and saw some of the sights the cruise ship tourists see.  There are lots of souvenir shops but they all seem to have the same things.  Here are a few pictures of the past few days.

Late evening sunset in Ketchikan

Three of these big cruise ships are coming in every day and set thousands of visitors loose on the city

One of the local Alaska State Ferry's 

Tuesday, June 11, 2013.  Today we cruised up to Meyers Chuck and were able to tie up to the dock.  I got the scoop from a local fisherman where to set the shrimp pots so Chrissy and I took them out.  The next morning we checked them and there was zero shrimp!  What do they say about fisherman being the biggest liars??

When Pat told this fisherman that Patsy was here name, he said he named it after her.

An after dinner paddle in Meyers Chuck

Wednesday, June 12, 2013.  This morning we had Dall porpoise riding the bow wave on the way to Santa Anna Inlet.  We anchored up and set out the crab and shrimp pots.  One other boat came in but it was a quite night.

Thursday, June 13, 2013.  Had lots  of crab and shrimp in the pots this morning.  We are leaving for Wrangell this morning. 


Friday, June 14, 2013.  Left this morning for Duncan Canal.  Found a little place behind Castle Island and anchored out for two days.  The commercial crab fishing opened Saturday morning so there are several hundred pots out in the area that were not there Friday.  Had very warm weather the past two days (upper 70’s) and no wind at all.

Sunday, June 16, 2013.  Left at noon for Wrangell Narrows and on up to Petersburg so Chrissy can catch a plane back to Seattle on Monday.  Found a place at the dock in the old part of the marina, and it really needs some improvements made!!!  On Monday I was able to get in touch with a old high school friend, Bob Ratliff, and we got caught up on what has happened in our lives the past 35 years.  We will leave Tomorrow morning, heading North once again.

Duncan Canal was dead calm for two days.

This is Christmas Tree Island in Wrangell narrows.  There is over 50 navigation aids in this 20 mile stretch.

Approaching Petersburg from the South.

A ELEVEN DAY CRUISE AROUND REVILLAGIGEDO ISLAND

Tuesday, May 28, 2013.   You gotta love these names in Alaska!!  We didn't realize when we pulled into Ketchikan that Monday was going to be a holiday so the stores we needed to go to for some steering fluid were not open.  But we were able to get some this morning at the local NAPA, so after fueling up we continued on our trip.  We were looking for a place to go salmon fishing so we headed north for Clover Pass.  The guide book we are using said there was a public marina in Knudson Cove with a size limit of 65 feet. So we tied up and were greeted by a marina employee that said the size limit was 40 feet.  This is the kind of thing you run into when the guide book was printed several years ago.  So we cruised another 8 miles to a place called Helm Bay and are tied to a small dock behind a small island.  Not another person or boat for miles around.  Tomorrow we will set the shrimp pots, and crab pots out then go fishing.

Ketchikan waterfront

Coast Guard station in Ketchikan

Ketchikan Duck Tour amphibious boat

Wednesday,  Rained all night last night but has stopped this morning.  Del, Orlaine, and Russ set the crab pots and shrimp pots then went bottom fishing for awhile.  No luck with the fish.  When we were in Ketchikan,  Russ and Del worked on the Honda outboard that quit on us earlier.  So today we launched it and it seems to be working alright after buying new fuel and changing the spark plugs.  Not going to go to far until we know for sure it is OK.  No luck in the pots.

Thursday, May 30,2013.  This morning we cruised back across Behm Canal and anchored up in a small bay called Deep Water Bay by the local residents.  There are about a dozen summer cabins surrounding the bay but we saw only one person when we got here.  Later they came over and welcomed us and we found out where to set the crab pots and shrimp pots.  We fished for salmon but no luck there.  But we scored big on the crab and shrimp.

Summer cabin at Deep Water Bay

Russ and Del back with crab!!

Orlaine holding some Hugh prawns.

Saturday, June 1, 2013.  Continued our journey around Revillagigedo Island cruising in a clockwise direction.  We anchored up in Fitzgibbon Cove for a few days of fishing and wildlife watching.  Saw several whales today, both humpback and Orcas.  We are sitting in the pilot house tonight looking out the front window at the snow caped mountains in front of us waiting for a grizzly bear to wander onto the beach.  This area is closed to salmon fishing so tomorrow we will see if we can catch a halibut.

At anchor in Fitzgibbon Cove

This was Orlaines favorite rock of the trip

Sunday, June 2, 2013.  In the morning Dell and Russ went bottom fishing but still no luck!!!!! But we were treated to a show by several Dall porpoise who swam and dove around the boat for several minutes.

Monday, June 3, 2013.  Left this morning for Walker Cove located in the Misty Fiords National Monument.  Consisting of over two million acres of wilderness, this cove is considered one of  the top 5 places to see in Alaska.  Countless streams and waterfalls plunge down the granite walls to the saltwater from mile high summits.  We were lucky enough to get tied to the one and only  mooring buoy located where a small stream enters the bay.  People have reported seeing grizzly bear here so we are on watch today.  I thought the smell of burgers cooking on the barbeque might lure one out of the woods but no luck so far.  Another boat , Loose Wire II, is tied along side of us tonight.  We first met them on a trip up here in 2009 and have seen them in several bays we have stayed in this year.

Lots and lots of water falls in Walker Cove.

Grizzly bear on the beach in Walker Cove.

Tuesday, June 4, 2013.  Loose Wire II left this morning but we will see them again soon.  We waited all morning for a bear to come out on the beach but he was a no show.  After lunch Del, Orlaine, and Russ jumped in the fishing boat to explore further up the inlet and look for bears.When we got back, there was a bear on the beach right next to the boat that had been there since we had left for the ride.  Pat had been watching him for over an hour!!  Later, about dinner time, he came back out and dined on some clams that he easily smelled out and dug up.  We certainly don’t want to have any kind of problems in a place like this as today no one else came in and the mountains surrounding us are so high that the VFH radio does not work.  This is definitely remote cruising up here.

Wednesday, June 5, 2013.  This morning we cruised down to Punchbowl Cove and tied up to a mooring buoy, only boat here.  The mountains  are even higher here and there are float planes flying all over the place.   When the cruise ships come into Ketchikan, the tourists can get off and go on several different side trips.  Some go on boat sightseeing trips, bus tours, or airplane sightseeing trips.  The ones on the airplane trips all come here to see the sights.  This afternoon another boat came in and we invited them to tie next to us.  Tonight after dinner we saw a grizzly on the beach.

Thursday, June 6, 2013.  Watched bears on the beach again today but they have all been across the bay from where we are until this evening when one came out on the beach in front of us.  We think it was a very young bear, maybe two years old.  He kept looking over his shoulder looking for another bear.  Our theory is that he probably just recently was booted out of his mothers territory and has just wandered into this new area, wondering where the local bear is at.

The clouds hid the mountain tops most of the time.

Looking west toward Revillagigedo Island.

Friday, June 6, 2013.  Up early this morning for a long cruise back to Ketchikan.  We decided to go back a day early and rent a car Saturday to see some of the sights around the island.  Besides, we ran out of bread two days ago and can’t make any sandwiches for lunch!!!   We ran into a little rough water on the way in but did not have to stay in it long.  Tied up in Ketchikan at 12:00 noon and will spend the next four days here.  Our daughter Chrissy will fly in Monday morning and Del and Orlaine will fly out Monday afternoon.  Chrissy will spend the week with us and then fly out of Petersburg and back to Seattle.

This little boat followed us everywhere we went.

Russ and Orlaine cleaning crab for dinner.

Walking the dogs on the beach.

Del and Orlaine posing for the camera .

ALMOST TO ALASKA !

Tuesday, May 21, 2013. We left Ocean Falls this morning, headed for Shearwater where we hope to get some groceries and do the laundry.  Saw a small humpback whale while we were going thru Gunboat Passage.  When we arrived there were only a few boats but it filled up later in the day with some big yachts (100 feet plus).  In the afternoon we took the small boat out for a little salmon fishing but no luck.  Still a little early in the season.  Grocery prices are really high here and the selection isn’t very good so only got a few items.  Their $10.00 per day wi-fi wasn’t worth the money.  Will probably pass this place by next time.

Hurry! Where's the bucket?

Marina at Shearwater

114 foot yacht coming into dock at Shearwater

Catching crab and shrimp is hard work for some guys!

Wednesday, May 22, 2013.  This morning we are off headed north again.  The destination is Bottleneck Inlet.  This is a very protected little bay that we have stayed in before.  Three other boats were here but there is lots of room for us.

Looking out
 of Bottleneck Inlet

Thursday, May 23, 2013.  We were up and underway early as there is a lot of water to cover today. Saw 2 killer whales and some Dall porpoise.  Also passed the BC ferry Northern Expedition.  About one hour before our destination the water got rough.  We had the wind to our back but the current coming toward us and the steep waves got up to 6 foot high in no time.  Pat said the fishing boat went out of sight between the waves a few times. We are headed to Lowe Inlet where there is a nice water falls that dumps into the head of the bay.  Saw a black bear on the beach on the way in. We anchored close to the beach but will need to move early in the morning before the tide is low to avoid going aground.

BC Ferry Northern Expedition

Friday, May 24, 2013.  Up at 5:00 this morning and headed for Baker Inlet.  Only about 2 hours away.  Yesterday we cruised 10 hours.  The entrance to this inlet is very very narrow and makes a slight bend so you can’t see if someone is coming the other way.  So in a case like this we get on our VHF radio and broadcast: “security, security, security. 54 foot power boat west bound into Watson Narrows.  Any opposing traffic please respond.”  There was no other traffic but just our luck there was a large log in mid channel in the narrowest place. The current was running fairly hard with us so we kind of nudged it a little as we went by.  This is a very pretty place but the clouds are low and it’s raining today so we can’t see the mountain tops above us.  Also a good spot to watch bears and the books say there are wolves here.

Saturday, May 25, 2013.  Spent a lot of time yesterday watching the wildlife in Baker Inlet.  Watched a bear for several hours, eagles catching fish, seals and river otters swimming nearby.  We timed the tide going through the narrows at the inlet and passed through easily.  We had a great cruise up to Prince Rupert.  Flat water all the way.  When we got here Russ launched the 12 boat from atop and started out for town to get some steering fluid for the fishing boat.  Half way there ( it’s 3 miles from where we are anchored ) the engine quit and he had to row the boat back against the wind and current.  Only took about 2 hours.  Tomorrow morning we leave at daybreak and will cross over into Alaska.


Sunday, May 26,2013.  Up at 4:00am but did not have enough light until 5:00am to be underway.  Wound our way out thru Venn Passage to the open water and turned north.  Perfect water conditions  today.  No wind and the swells in Dixon Entrance were non existent.Had some Dall Porpoise ride our bow wake again. Entered back into US waters at 9:35am ( 8:35 Alaska time).  Just as we were ready to turn into Foggy Bay I decided to check the tides.  Holly smokes it’s a 4.2 minus tide today! Not wanting to take any chances with hitting bottom we decided to continue on to Ketchikan, another 33 miles!!.  This will be a long cruise today.  We cleared customs and are officially back in the US. We will be here a few days if anyone wants to call or email us.  Then we will go back out for a few days and Chrissy will be here on the 10th.

Green Island lighthouse on border between BC and Alaska

Couldn't believe our luck.  Dead calm water in Dixon Enterance

Snapshot of the navigation computer showing us crossing in Alaska waters

Large cruise ship leaving Ketchican

Can't believe these big ships dock up without the aid of a tug

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