Fishing Updates

July 16, 2006

An interesting pattern is developing for our catch data for this summer.  Early in the week the salmon numbers are high, then as the week progresses the salmon numbers drop and the halibut numbers increase.  It looks like the guests go out and enjoy catching salmon for a couple of days, then decide they need to have more halibut to take home and eat so they focus more on catching them. 

The number of halibut seem to be leveling off.  During the three reporting weeks of July the total halibut catch has gone from 605 the first week, to 340 the second, and 397 this past week.  The decrease in numbers, then leveling is probably because guests are catching their limits quicker because of more larger fish and not needing to releasing as many smaller fish.

The pink salmon runs continue to expand.  The catch has gone from 279 the first week of July to 1074 this past week.  I expect the catch to increase slightly the next two weeks and then begin to drop off as we pass the peak time.  We are still catching lots of 6+ pound pinks.

Chums are declining in the catch.  There are still a lot jumping in the area but the main wave seems to have gone past.

Silver fishing was much better this past week and should continue to build through the rest of the season.  The numbers for July, 1st through 3rd weeks, are 88, 169, and 239.  Silvers usually peak in late August or early September and continue on into October.  We are seeing more fish in the 12-15 pound class now.  The strikes and runs of those big fish are wonderful.

The weather was only a factor in that it rained most days, but winds were mostly cooperative to good fishing ground access.

— Doc

Previous Reports:

• July 9, 2006
• July 2, 2006
• June 25, 2006
• June 19, 2006
• June 11, 2006
• June 4, 2006
• May 28, 2006
• May 8, 2006
• May 4, 2006
• 2005 Fishing Season