Best coho and worst king salmon day of the trip. Over a hundred coho, but just 4 kings. We caught another huge ling cod as well, on our smallest lure. Beautiful fishing day. High overcast, occasional showers, and light winds. We are heading to Elfin Cove for the night, then on to Juneau in the morning.
Mark Stopha
F/V Dutch Master
Alaska Wild Salmon Co
4455 N Douglas Hwy
Juneau, Alaska 99801
907-463-3115
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Day 4 of summer king salmon season, and still few around. We got about 10 today and they seem larger on average than in past years, which could be a sign of fewer fish than expected. Excellent numbers of cohos, however. And pinks, too. We’re launching a new pink salmon product this year, and it looks like we’ll have plenty of product to start. We are anchored in the South Forty anchorage. The clouds cleared out, revealing Mt. Fairweather that looks so close you can almost touch it.
Mark Stopha
F/V Dutch Master
Alaska Wild Salmon Co
4455 N Douglas Hwy
Juneau, Alaska 99801
907-463-3115
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King salmon season is extremely slow so far, but lots of coho and pink salmon, so we’re taking what we get. Weather much better today, but still a litte lumpy at times. Orca whales cruising all around the boat today for awhile. Eating as well as I ever have with Sara on board cooking, driving and icing fish.
Mark Stopha
F/V Dutch Master
Alaska Wild Salmon Co
4455 N Douglas Hwy
Juneau, Alaska 99801
907-463-3115
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Opening day a bust for king salmon but more coho salmon than Ive ever seen. LOTS of orca (killer) whales, too. Many cohos coming up with bite marks. Sara thought maybe it was some of the baby whales learning to feed. We only fished from 3:30 am to 10:30 am. Sara was not used to the rough seas and when she came out to feed the fish for the 3rd time, I said let’s call it a day. Winds are supposed to lay down tomorrow, and with so few kings here at Yakobi Island, I expect a lot of boats will move elsewhere tomorrow. I’m a “homesteader”, and tend to wait for the fish to come by rather than chase them, and with so many coho salmon here
Mark Stopha
F/V Dutch Master
Alaska Wild Salmon Co
4455 N Douglas Hwy
Juneau, Alaska 99801
907-463-3115
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Ran to outer coast today with Sara. Biggest king salmon opening of the year begins tomorrow. Almost made a foolish mistake today. We came into the anchorage with our poles out, and passed the Santa Rosa, who was at anchor with their trolling poles out. It was a narrow gap between them and the rocks, but I thought we could make it. My poles actually went over his by just a few feet. Had we hit poles, it could have spelled disaster, as I would have made him miss the first opening if Id damaged his pole, and he would miss what is usually the largest king harvest day of the year – all on account of my mistake. It seems like you get a mulligan with these types of close calls, but not a second one, so Ive learned my lesson.
This is Saras first trip with me, and its been great already with her driving for awhile while I catch a nap, and a real dinner when we got the anchor down.
Weather forecast is for sloppy seas tomorrow, which will wear me out after fishing the calmer inside waters the past 2 months.
Mark Stopha
F/V Dutch Master
Alaska Wild Salmon Co
4455 N Douglas Hwy
Juneau, Alaska 99801
907-463-3115
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I learned today what many old timers have told me – when you get a fish on, don’t always rush to get it off, as it may attract other fish to the gear. I was losing fish near the boat that would throw the hook because they were pulling so hard. So, I started leaving fish on awhile to let them tire out some before I pulled them in. This lead to multiple fish on the wires and more fish landed. I even had one at the surface and saw another one try to get the hook from its mouth. Another day of good catches.
I took a nap in the late afternoon and came out for the evening bite. Dozens and dozens of eagles were diving on the tons of herring feeding on the plankton blooming thick all around.
Mark Stopha
F/V Dutch Master
Alaska Wild Salmon Co
4455 N Douglas Hwy
Juneau, Alaska 99801
907-463-3115
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