A month in the Sitka Region - updated

Alaska 2015 Part 9 – Cruising to Hoonah Sound, Sitka and Kalinin Bay

June 10   After Cameron departed we headed out to Kalinin Bay, catching some fish before heading back into Peril Strait and up Hoonah Sound to catch some Dungeness crab before the commercial season opens on June 15.

Bear with two cubs - Kalinin Bay

Not every day had rain - sunset Kalinin Bay

Moser Island – first day of crabbing/prawning was not so good, just a few crab.

Moser Island – second day – found the place for prawns – got our limit.

Kalinin Bay – King Salmon fishing and bear watching.

June 17, Return to Sitka – prepare boat for trip back to Seattle.  We had to arrange for a local “boat watch” while we were gone.  Our processor, Big Blue, had a freezer failure, so we had to buy an additional freezer for the fish we have caught.

June 18-20, 50^th Queen Anne High School reunion in Seattle for Patrick.  It was fun catching up with classmates after so much time.  There were 160 classmates from a class of 714 who showed up.  After 50 years it was a little sobering to realize that 90 of Patrick’s classmates had already passed away.

June 21 – We return to Sitka, prepare Spirit for Sean and Margaret and the granddaughters, Josephine and Brita.

Sean and Josie looking at the bear

And the bear looks back

Miriam sharing a bedtime story with Josie

June 22-28 – Sean, Margaret and the grandkids tour Sitka and fish for 2 days in Kalinin Bay, catching 4 King salmon and rockfish.  Josephine now knows were some of her food comes from, watching the fishing and cleaning process with great interest.  Sean and Josephine also got to view a brown bear up close from the tender while in Kalinin Bay.

Sunset near the summer solstice in Sitka Harbor

June 29-July 2 – On our own for a few days.  We headed to Kalinin Bay, but had poor fishing results.  When we return we find that there is a mid-season change in the king salmon limits down to 3 annually effective July 1, so we are finished fishing for king salmon for the season.  Now we are looking for Coho salmon and halibut.

July 2-10, Miriam’s cousin Reidun Crowley and her friend Keith Ackerlund visit.  Fishing is spotty, but King, Coho and a halibut, along with rockfish make their way into our freezer.  Reidum and Keith take home a box of their catch.

Sunriseon Mt. Edgecumbe as we head out fishing

Puffins at St. Lazaria Island

We celebrate an old fashioned 4^th of July with fireworks the night before and a hometown parade on the 4^th.  We watched the fireworks from Steel Tiger along with Jim and Cheryl Matheson from Sea Jay (they cruised with us to Alaska in 2011).

July 11 – Maintenance day in Sitka.  Dinner at the Channel Club for a farewell to Sitka for the 2015 season.  We retrieved our last fish from Big Blue, who finally fixed the freezer situation as we were leaving.  We will have to ship our catch from Petersburg when we get there.

July 12 – Depart Sitka for the last time this season, heading back through Peril Strait to fish and prawn.  We hope to be in Petersburg in 10 days.  Limited internet and cell phone coverage until Petersburg.