Sept 26-30
Hi All,
We did leave Baranof Warm Springs at 0830 on Wednesday 9/26. It was very foggy, low clouds, drizzly and cold….you know, typical Alaska weather:))) We went to Appleton Cove off Rodman Bay in the Peril Straits….39nm, pretty good conditions until the last 10 miles….then 10-20kt headwinds, 1-2′ chop and spray as we had wind against tide…..we were doing >9kts!!!! We had been to Appleton Cove in 2006…2 times….one of our favorites……many bears and good crabbing/prawning/salmon fishing….a very sheltered cove with mountains all around and several salmon streams/meadows. Of course, most of the mountains were shrouded with the low clouds!!! Anchor down, dinghy down, passage beers open, crab & prawn traps set all by 3pm….LIGI!!!!
Thursday, the 27th: Woke up to very foggy/low cloud conditions…..only 55*F but it was that damp penetrating cold…..brrrrr!!! We still have not seen any bears….WTH…..where did they all go….seems too early for them to head to their dens???? Checked the crab pot…..2 undersized…whaaaaaaaa…..checked the prawn trap….ZERO….ODG…..popcorn and movie for dinner:)))))
Friday the 28th: Woke up to same foggy, low cloud conditions…..ugh!!! Checked traps…..ZERO for prawns and 2 undersized crabs….WTH:(((( We were only going a short distance today so we decided to so some fishing/trolling for salmon. We had not done much trolling this season as it seemed we were always on the go or had longer distances to travel!! Anyway, we fished for 3+ hours….The Engine-that-Can Mr Yanmar got a good work out:))) Alas, only 6 rockfish, and 3, 12-15″ Coho salmon. The Regs say you can keep this size Coho….like up to 10 fish <16″, and 6 >16″ per day…..but, these guys just seemed too small….like a stream trout…probably very good to eat but we were looking for bigger fish to send home….maybe next year we will sample!!! We later found out these are yearling Coho ready to head for sea so we are so glad we threw them back!!! And, we did see 3 whales feeding….one just a few hundred yards off…..and a pod of Dall porpoises close to Mystic…..sweet as!!!
We arrived at Deep Bay, about 4nm from the notorious Sergius Narrows, around 2:30pm. Supposedly a great crabbing bay…..and there were 4 pots already set and another boat came in to set 3 more….hope our lonely trap does ok!!! Arrived around 2:30pm…..23nm total, calm conditions….anchor down, dinghy down, passage beers open, crab trap set….no prawn trap as too shallow….all by 4pm!!!!
Saturday, the 29th: Our last day at anchor this 2018 season. Woke up to clear, sunny skies….yea!!!We didn’t do too much but watched a parade of w/e warriors come into the Bay and set crab pots. When we got here there were 4 pots and by Sat afternoon I counted 27….whoa!!! But, only 1 guy set close to us….so, I went out and got ours…..4 large keepers, 1 at 8″……threw 3 undersized back…..and reset to a different location!!!! We had steaks, fresh crab and a Silverado 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon for closing ceremonies…..sweet as!!!!
Sunday, the 30th: Woke up to clear, sunny skies and chilly…..down to 45*F…water temp 52*F!!!! Checked the trap…..2 large keeper males and 6 throwback females!! We were underway by 8:00am to time all the various narrows….Sergius being the main one….got there 30 min before slack and still did 10+ knots….that’s a 3.3+ kt current!!! The other narrows…..about 4 more were all +/- a kt so no big deal!! We got into Sitka and our slip 8-19 around noon!!!! We were soon off to celebrate with a cheeseburger in paradise!!!!
The Plan: We now have about 3 weeks to enjoy Sitka as well as do many projects, maintenance, and put Mystic to bed for the next few months….it seems plenty of time but I already have 40 items on the list…..arghhhhh!!!! We leave to go back to California on 10/23!!
Whale count on passage: 3 total
Total Whale Count since Japan: 152; 72 Humpbacks, 34 Orcas, 3 Sperms, 3 Blue, 12 Fin, 1 Minke, 8 Unknown
Total Bear Count: 223: 147 Alaska Brown; 57 Kodiak Brown; 19 Black
Crab Count: 6
Total Dungeness Crab Count: 47
Prawn Count: 11: 11 Coonstripe
Mountain Goat Count: 32 total; 5 N. Sandy Cove, 20 Mt Wright, East Arm; 7 at Gloomy Knob, Glacier Bay
Wolves: 2; 1 Geikie Inlet, 1 Kukak Bay
Bear Count: 5 Crab Bay, 5 East Arm Excursion Bay, 4 North Sandy Cove (Black), 2 Shag Cove (Black), 2 Geikie Inlet (Browns), 1 Skag Bay (black), 1 Reid Inlet, 4 Russell Island, 1 Shag cove, 2 Jade Harbor, 5 Humpback Cove, 1 Otter Cove, 1 Hoggs Head, 10 Silver Salmon Creek; 40+ by seaplane; 17 Kukak Bay, 43 Geographic Harbor, 44 Kitoi, 12 Alpine Cove, 1 Three Saints, 22 Volcano Bay
Hope all is well!!!
John
Mystic Moon
REST MYSTIC REST!!!!
PS: A few pictures on the website:
PSS: I will post final 2018 stats in a few days as well as hopefully over the next month post the remaining 2018 pictures…..I need to post from Kodiak to Sitka….wow!!!!
Leaving Hoonah with the mountains to the north near Juneau
Two Humpback whales fin and tale slapping, trying to stun the herring baitfish!!
Waterfall at Baranof Warm Springs. The hot springs are near the top of this waterfall
The bath house at Baranof Warm Springs…..gorgeous view while you soak!!
Mystic tied to the dock at Baranof Warm Springs with the Coast Guard ship in the Bay
A startled deer swimming across near Mystic
Sunset at Deep Bay off Peril Strait
Closing ceremonies…..steak, fresh crab and a 2002 Silverado Cab….yummers!!!!
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