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!

WATSON LAKE TO SKILAK LAKE SKI

DISTANCE:  5.2 miles
TERRAIN:  Snow covered taiga, lakes/ponds, dense brush, road.
TIME:  ~4 hours

Mrs. Huffy skis across a snow bridge over the East Fork of the Moose River as we begin our trek.  Note the sunburst in the water.

Taking a breather on Marsh Lake in the brilliant sunshine. (photo courtesy Mrs. Huffy)

Mrs. Huffy on Marsh Lake.

Wing marks from a bird of prey.  It clearly caught something in this area as tracks indicating a struggle were all around.

Mrs. Huffy bushwhacking.  This lasted for about a half-mile...which was plenty.

On the road to Lower Skilak Lake Campground/Boat Ramp.

Finally, back at the vehicle.

The ski from Watson Lake to Skilak Lake has been on my list for a long time.  So, after a thorough study of the route on Google Earth and convincing Mrs. Huffy it would be a great trip we took off on a brilliant sunny morning.  This trip requires two cars so we left the Subaru at Lower Skilak Lake Campground, then drove to Watson Lake where we parked the truck.

The first challenge of the trip was crossing the East Fork of the Moose River.  We were in luck because there were still plenty of snow bridges to choose from and we crossed with ease.  Then it was on to Marsh Lake which was flat and easy.  Once across the lake things became more interesting.  There was lots of overflow in the lake drainage which was covered by snow.  Our feet got wet.  Then we entered an area of extemely dense brush and downed trees.  After a half-mile or so we popped out on Skilak Loop Road which we skied the remainder of the way to our car.

Along the way we spotted some evidence of animals including a beaver dam, the imprints of bird wings in the snow, one set of moose tracks, a couple of snowshoe hare trails, and the prints of a coyote.  We did see an American Dipper as we were crossing the snow bridges, but not much beyond that in terms of live critters.

Overall, it was a great trip made even better by the warmth of the sun.  But, I don't think it will become a regular ski due to the shuttling of cars and the bushwhacking, although that makes it memorable...in my book.