April 29th, 2008
Summer is nearly upon us and I'm already in overdrive getting things ready for the pilgramage north
to Craig. This will by far be our busiest summer yet, with two to three boats running continously most
of the summer. Some space is still available, however, as we just had a cancellation for two people
June 26-30, two boats are open June 30-July 4, and we have space available in mid August for some outstanding
coho and bottomfishing.
We will sustain some cutbacks in our Craig fishery this summer due to extremely low chinook returns
up and down the West Coast. While it isn't pleasent, we're just thankful to still be fishing. Many ports
along the Washington, Oregon, and California coasts have been dealt summer long closures to help protect
depleted chinook stocks that have collapsed for a number of reasons. Again, we're thankful to be fishing
and will make the most of the opportunity this summer.
Catch and release? We've spent the last 15 years catching and releasing wild steelhead here in Washington, even
before it was the thing to do, and we proved that it just wasn't necessary to kill wild steelhead
to stay in business. In fact, our business prospered along the way. While we hope the chinook
runs rebound in the near future to allow for some retention in the coming years, we'll do what
it takes to help the fish out now. The upside to this is that the commercial troll fleets quota was
reduced by 120,000 fish in SE Alaska. Who can be certain, but some of us are hopeful that we'll
have plenty of kings around to play with this summer in Southeast Alaska.
I've reserved two slots aboard the Lost Coast Explorer for January of 2009. The dates are January
12-18 and 18-24. The boat holds 12 people comfortably and four anglers share a boat, which are 24 to
29 foot center console sportfishers. Total cost for this trip is $3295, which includes transfers
within the country, hotel in Panama City, unlimited diving and fishing, and meals and accomodations while on
board the mothership. Call me at 360-961-2116 for more info on this amazing trip.
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Pacific Northwest Sportfishing, 2004
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