Fishing Updates

June 20 - 24, 2005

The early part of the week continued the strong catch from late the previous week. The catch peaked on Wednesday, then dropped the last two days of the week. Weather was nice most of the week and the tides were high.

Guests caught halibut over 100 pounds on four of the five fishing days. Some areas continue to have large numbers of smaller halibut. The fish seemed to be more spread out than on previous weeks. The number of guests was down about 20% and the total halibut catch dropped by 26%. Probably not a significant dropped when tides conditions are factored in.

Kings, silvers, and chums all decreased in catch numbers late in the week. The total king catch is still our highest ever with a total of 79 fish during the month of June. The king catch in the outside waters continues strong and no kings have shown up at the hatchery in Juneau as of this weekend. Both factors seemed to indicate that much of the king run has not come in and is late this year.

The silver catch was good early in the week, but dropped to just two fish on Friday. Catch numbers still indicate this will be a good silver year.

The chum catch has been far below the last couple of years thus far into this season.

Pink salmon numbers were a bright spot in this past weeks fishing. Large numbers were present in the log dump area and many were seen jumping throughout the fishing area.

On Thursday large numbers of small herring were present in Excursion Inlet, along Home Shore , and near the Green Buoy. This is the first significant showing of bait fish this year and returning bait fish schools are usually associated with runs of both migratory halibut and pre-spawning salmon. The big fish follow their food source.

The biggest thrill of the week was for Eddie Ito. At age 80 he landed a 111 pound halibut.

Doc

Previous Reports:

• May 29 - June 3
• June 5 - 11
• June 12 - 17