HOMER FEEDER KING FISHING TRIP

The GPS track of the boat ride from the Homer Small Boat Harbor to the area where we trolled for salmon.

This is a detailed tracked of ~6 hours of fishing.  We made lots of small circles looking for feeder kings.

Jim is standing aboard the Huntress before leaving the harbor.

Kevin caught the biggest fish of the day.

A view from the flying bridge with Seal Rock in the background.

It was cold at 5:30 AM, when I stopped at Jim's house to pick him up for the drive to Homer where we would board a charter boat and head out in hopes of catching some feeder king salmon.  But, at minus 5 degrees I wasn't looking forward to the ride to the fishing grounds.  My skepticism only worsened as we drove along the spit watching breakers pound the beach.  Jim said, "That looks kind of rough.  I bet the captain will cancel."  Rough seas and cold weather.  You really have to want to catch a fish.

Once aboard the Huntress and in the warmth of the cabin the captain delivered some welcome news.  Since seas were 8-10 feet near Seldovia we wouldn't be heading that direction.  We would go north instead where he hoped the water would be flat, but there might not be as many fish.  He was correct on both counts.

Thirty minutes after leaving the harbor we were fishing.  An hour-and-a-half later we caught the first of two fish for the day.  A group of traveling nurses from Minnesota was also on the boat so we had plenty of company to visit and trade stories with in order to pass the time.  Later in the afternoon, Kevin reeled in the second and final fish of the day.  The temperatures warmed considerably and it was great to be out on deck in the sun trolling the flat water of Kachemak Bay.  Even if the fish were not abundant.

Around 3:30 PM, we reeled in and made the trip back to Homer.  Jim and I stopped for pizza at Fat Olives and then motored home where I arrived in time to watch a recording of the season premier of the Deadliest Catch.  Now those guys can fish in the cold and heavy seas!