Back from IPHC charter fishing trip

I made it back to town Monday morning from a two week long fishing trip on the F/V Predator a 59' longliner based out of Homer. This wasn't your average fishing trip, it was a stock assesment research trip for the International Pacific Halibut Commision (IPHC). Its in my links list if you want to check it out. Fishing was done in a scientific manner with pre-set fishing spots, specific bait size and routine fishing hours. We had 2 scientists on board measuring and sampling every fish that we caught.

When you are longlining somethimes there is what we call by-catch, the incidental catch of other species that you are not targeting. On this trip we caught hundreds of Spiny Dogfish Sharks. They are about 3-4 feet long and can run in school of thousands. Needless to say they are a bother.

Here are some nifty facts from this trip-

1600 gallons - Amount of diesel burned for 2 weeks of fishing.
$4000 - Cost for that fuel.
3000 pounds - Amount of chum salmon used for bait.
250 pounds - Biggest halibut caught.
1 Dogfish shark - In the belly of a 100lb Halibut.
20,000 Pounds - Total weight of Halibut delivered for 7 days of actuall fishing.

August is off to a great start!

It's been over a week since I've added anything but it has been so nice we've been out and about a lot. Weather has been fabulous, in the 70's, so we have to get the most out of the August sunshine 'cause the rain will come. We found a nice beach to play on while cruising a Peterson Bay, just across the spit from Homer.

Who doesn't like a picnic on the beach?


Alec, always a cheeser for the camera, shows off the nice black sand beach.


I'm off for another fishing trip. It's a survey trip for the International Pacific Halibut Commision. Should be fairly easy, I'll let you all know how it goes.

The Sun is Back

After a lot of rain the past few days the sun has finally come out. We are planning another trip across the bay today. I added a couple of pics to The Boat so check those out. I'll get some more of the kids up soon. We're off to enjoy the nice weather.

Bounty of the Bay

Homer is a great place for having a garden, April wanted to have her garden where she could see it and have easy access. She made a nice little spot on the deck. She used some old wood boxes as planters and has grown some great lettuce.



We took the boat over to Jackaloff Bay and met some friends that live over there to do some berry picking. The salmon berries are thick and we only had to walk a few steps from the dock to load up. Salmon berries come in different colors and are very juicy. Sailey really got into it and was right in the middle of the bushes with her mom, while our friend Kari directed Alec to the choice ones.



Of course we can't forget the halibut. Our freezer is already getting full and we still have a couple of months of good fishing weather. On the last little water survey trip I landed a 100 pounder, that's a lot of meat on one fish, sorry no picture of that one.

New Boat

You can't live where we do and not have a boat, that's what I think anyway. So we bought a 20' 1969 Fiberform. It has a V-birth, large canopy and lots of deck space. We have already had it accross the bay a few times and it seems to be a fine vessel that is perfect for us. Of course it needs a few things here and there and possibly some wrenching on the engine this winter but it is in the harbor right now and ready to go for a cruise any time.

The kids love it when we have to go the the fuel dock, they have popcorn. We can't just get one bag, Alec has to have his own.