Departure day has come and gone thanks to Mt. Redoubt. I really don't mind very much. I will enjoy a couple more weeks with my family. This time of year they don't enjoy me as much as I enjoy them. Fishermen, in the spring, tend to get cranky, antsy, fidgety, forgetfull, distracted, ... well you get the idea.
It snowed two and a half feet in Kodiak a couple of days ago, so I'm in no hurry to fight the lingering winter weather either. Some real old timers said they hadn't seen this much snow, this late in the year, since the 1950's. Yuk! Deep snow and un insulated Xtra Tuffs aren't the best combo for keeping your feet warm and dry. And I don't really like being cold and wet. Bet you didn't expect that from a fisherman did you?
Friday, March 27, 2009
Sunday, March 15, 2009
The Countdown Begins
It is officially countdown time for me. March 1st was here and gone so quickly I missed it. It's that time of the year for most salmon fishermen to start readying their operations for the upcoming season. Nets have to be repaired, skiffs gone through, boats hauled, bottom painted, and every system checked at least 3 times. I start about the first of April, in Kodiak, and use a small little fishery most people outside of the State of Alaska have never heard of to get my boat and equipment tuned up before the tender season starts. Cod jigging. It gives me a chance to actually go fishing, but do it at a very slow pace. That way I can monitor all the systems and make any mods or repairs without losing a lot of time or money.
Monday, March 2, 2009
The Icy Mist
I was very sad to read about the loss of the F/V Icy Mist the other day. I'm glad everyone got off safely. Big "High Fives" to the Kodiak Coast Guard Air Rescue group. You just can't say enough about these people. Their skill and dedication to all of us who venture out onto the water is legendary. My heart goes out to Bob & Jen and what they are going through right now. A boat isn't just a chunk of steel, it's the Blood, Sweat and Tears of a life time of dedication and sacrifice. The good ones like the Icy Mist are lovingly cared for by their owners and it always shows. She's the biggest, baddest and most beautiful limit Hansen there is. I know Bob and Jen will get through this, because there's just no quit in people of that quality and caliber. It just really sucks when crap like this happens to really good people.
Bristol Bay Blues
The new Bristol Bay processor capacity survey is out and it is no surprise to anyone. The canneries are telling the state they can handle every lb. of production for the 09 BB salmon season. The truth is they can't handle the influx of fish during the peak of the run. Why not let an outside processor or two in. The fact is, that for years processors from British Columbia and other places sent buyers to the Bay. The only thing I remember about that was higher prices for the fishermen. God knows that's not going to hurt anyone.
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