To Fish or Not To Fish

Posted under North to Alaska

A new day, and time to put the money where the mouth is, as it were. After convincing ourselves that there were fish to be had, to wily fishers such as ourselves, Bonnie and I backtracked down Johnstone Strait with Art and Janice, heading for Codero Channel and some open fishing area. Having awaited the incoming tide that we might extricate ourselves from the shore side of the dock at Port Neville, we now had the advantage of an incoming tide and hefty current down the strait. Quite a thrill at Race passage. Hair straight back and we are finally getting the fuel mileage that we would like. Never lasts as long as it should as we make our way to Bickley Bay. Too late in the day for the elusive finny creatures, but time to drop the crab trap and yet again over eat.

 

Up at the crack of noon, or there about, as we ply the waters with the most appealing of lures, and all the skill of the dedicated hunter. Nary a salmon to be had, but we did manage to get a pair of ling in the bucket, and Art and Janice did about the same. Now all we have to do is convince ourselves that it requires the same finesse to boat a bottom fish as it does to take a salmon. Doesn’t take a lot of convincing that they all eat very well. Add to this a trap load of crab and once again too many munchies.

 

A new day and more decisions. With the uncertainty of Queen Charlotte Strait ahead of us, the prudent mind says to get back pointed north, and after much procrastination and fond farewells that is exactly what we did. Timed our passage through Green rapids and Whirlpool Rapids, and found ourselves safely ensconced in Forward Harbour for the night. Back to Johnstone Strait on the morrow.

 

Poked our nose out into Sunderland Channel in the AM and noticed that it did indeed bounce rather nicely in an up and down motion. This as a result of incoming water down Johnstone, accompanied by significant winds. A couple of hours of this and we decided to tuck back into Port Neville and let the water settle down a bit. Like Yogi Bera would say “ déjà vu all over again”. Two days later and we are back in Port Neville. Sat around in the boat for a couple of hours, and the water began to flatten out nicely. Pointed north once again and away we went. Some things just get better as they get older, a single malt for one and this day for another. The water just kept getting flatter and even the sun reared its ugly head. What with the great water and the sunshine, even Bonnie was happy. As we neared Port McNeill and prior to crossing Queen Charlotte Strait we decided to top off our fuel tanks. Now normally we do this little duty at Port Hardy as the price of fuel tends to be somewhat more reasonable there. Not !! Would you believe abut 3 cents a litre less at Port McNeill. I believe that they all belong to a society of bandits and at least Jesse James wore a mask. However, thanks to Bonnie and here telephone, we did save that 3 cents a litre. Water still flat and the day yet fine, so north it is to yet another port. Port Alexander on Nigei Island. Now as all the other ports we have spoken of, had real live people, one might jump to the conclusion that there may be inhabitants here. Not so, but it is a great spot to drop the pick prior to crossing the open water of Queen Charlotte Strait and gains about 15 miles from leaving port Hardy.

 

A fine nights sleep and a six o’clock awakening to water with a mirror finish prompted us to weigh anchor and try the crossing. The report from West Sea Otter listed swells of one and a half metres, but calm winds, and the reports from both Pine and Egg Islands had light winds. Prefer a metre or less at West Sea Otter but what the hey. For the land lubbers amongst us, West Sea Otter in not a cute furry little animal placed on the water for our viewing pleasure, but an unmanned reporting device giving sea conditions in Queen Charlotte Strait. Made our way out Douglas Channel, taking some current on our beak, (the pointy part of the boat), along with some ups and downs of ocean swells. We are still a way from the Strait and already Bonnie is starting to clench her window sill. A quick taste of the open water convinced us that a smoother passage might be had later, and so, back to Port Alexander. Water dead calm, deceitful little devil. As we sat about enjoying the day, the reports kept getting better. WSO is now 1.2 metres, with Pine and Egg as before. Up with the anchor and back down Douglas Channel. Less bounce to the ounce on this pass and away we go. The closer we get to Pine Island the greater the roller coaster ride, until Bonnie started to make little whimpering sounds. Now I have been around long enough to interpret the signs, and I know that if mom ain’t happy, nobody’s happy. Back to Port Alexander. Now, had we turned off the ships radio, we might have spent the remainder of the day with a good book and sunshine, but oh no, we’re not that clever. It is now 3 o’clock and West Sea Otter is less than one mtere. Bonnie suggests that if we wait much later in the day, we would be making the crossing in the dark. That is not going to happen, so pull the pick and off we go. Suffice to say that Bonnie kept horizontal on the crossing, but in spite of the carnival ride we made it to Fury Bay unscathed, and in time for a little relaxation and then to bed.

 

A new day and a new sun. One could get used to this. Also no wind. A definite bonus when on the water. However, it is Sunday, a day of rest. I curled myself up on the chesterfield with a good book and the warmth of an early morning sun. Quite contented, like a fat old tom cat. I was very nearly to the point of purring when “she who decides” determined that the day of rest could include “a few chores”. It is too small to hide on a boat and too cold to swim to shore, so a few chores it was. Oh well, nothing so pressing in our schedule that a vegetative state can’t be post-poned. Tomorrow is another day and we will ply our way north once again. On to Ocean Falls. Will update from time to time. Care to all.

 

T