Lumpy this morning, but we all have sea legs now so no one got sick. Had a nice half day catch of kings and coho and we’re headed for Juneau and likely my last trip out here and last catch of kings for the year. We still have to stop in Elfin Cove for fuel and wait for the tide change, so I’ll get to make the rounds.

20 K, 33

Mark Stopha
F/V Dutch Master
Alaska Wild Salmon Co
4455 N Douglas Hwy
Juneau, Alaska 99801
907-463-3115

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About 15 northerly today. Few fish. Made plans for offloading in Juneau. I was apprehensive about it as I’ve never offloaded such a large catch. I contacted my processor, who assureed me it would be no sweat and he’d oversee us using the cranes, etc.

One observation on modern day fishing. It’s getting harder and harder to see out the window for all the electronics. The vessel has 3 windows in the front. Only the window in front of the captain’s chair is virtually unobstructed. The center and port windows have a computer screen showing the chart of the waters we’re fishing and our vessel’s location via GPS. Next to the computer screen is a radar screen to show us where other boats are in relation to us. Hanging from the cabin ceiling is a Loran screen, the 70’s version of today’s GPS. In front of the port window is a depth sounder. Pretty soon they’ll quit putting windows in and replace it with a big screen video replay from a camera mounted on the front deck.
Mark Stopha
F/V Dutch Master
Alaska Wild Salmon Co
4455 N Douglas Hwy
Juneau, Alaska 99801
907-463-3115

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Even calmer seas today. Rain overnight till 4 pm today, and then the sun came out. The skipper and I agreed on pricing. I agred to pay more than 15% over dock price for kings and 47% for coho, so hopefully this will more than make-up for his fuel and time to have to run me and the fish back to Juneau to offload.

Scratch fishing for kings all day, and a flurry of cohos about 9 pm. Also started keeping the larger pinks today. We’re a crew now, and much more efficient than days 1 – 3, so now we’re REALLY trying to stay not bored. The skipper even took a nap today.

32 K, 59 C 13 P
Mark Stopha
F/V Dutch Master
Alaska Wild Salmon Co
4455 N Douglas Hwy
Juneau, Alaska 99801
907-463-3115

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After two partly sunny days and light westerlies, weather changed overnight and today is light rain and light winds with slightly lumpy seas out here in 40 fathoms.

Very slow so far through 1 pm, and the seas have laid right down. It’s so slow we’re fighting over who gets to clean fish or wash the dishes. I called Fish and Game, but it’s too early just yet to know how many fish have been caught and how much longer the king season will last.

We moved east to another spot, and there was our old boat, the Dutch Master, with the new owner Seth in the cockpit pulling gear. Exciting, for some reason, to see my old boat out and still trolling.

Slow day 22 K, 34 C

Mark Stopha
F/V Dutch Master
Alaska Wild Salmon Co
4455 N Douglas Hwy
Juneau, Alaska 99801
907-463-3115

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Anchored in Takanis Bay last night, where the mosquitoes and noseeums were having a convention. We had no bug dope, mosquito coils or Buhach, so it was a sweaty sleep with the sleeping bag pulled tight with just an airhole to breathe.

Moved to Cape Cross today. Fish are much larger and pretty good numbers. Overcast and light winds.

Really enjoying fishing with crew. On my own boat, I was mechanic, gear tyer, gear hauler, fish cleaner, fish icer, and chief cook and dishwasher. Now, I’m just the fish cleaner and do the dishes (hope my wife doesn’t find out I know how to do the dishes….).
We caught about as many kings today as my best day ever with my own boat, and I was almost bored.

63 K, 60 C.

Mark Stopha
F/V Dutch Master
Alaska Wild Salmon Co
4455 N Douglas Hwy
Juneau, Alaska 99801
907-463-3115

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Sunny day with a breeze in the afternoon. Yesterday, fishing was steady, and today we’ve had episodes of lotsof fish in between periods of few fish. The skipper found the spoon that’s what the king salmon want – a number 7 superior chrome/brass spoon. May be our biggest day yet, as we have 2/3 of yesterdays catch already and it’s only 3 pm.

Turned out to be our second best day, with 60 K and 47 C.

Mark Stopha
F/V Dutch Master
Alaska Wild Salmon Co
4455 N Douglas Hwy
Juneau, Alaska 99801
907-463-3115

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