Keta uncaught

October 10 to 16, 2011 — With no substantial fishing opportunities to speak of for a couple weeks, I had a chance to catch up on some much-needed loose ends on the Satisfaction before the fall keta, or chum, salmon season began. I fixed my bow thruster, got my alarms working properly, and rewired the fishing lights in the mast; none of these jobs would shut the operation down, but they all could lead to disastrous ends.

I was geared up and ready for the October 10 opening in the Strait of Juan de Fuca, but unfortunately there were no fish. I had only six fish for my efforts, and that was about par for the course. It was pretty disappointing — Maureen sent out an email to the fish list and pre-sold a bunch of fish. It was quite degrading for this fisherman to have to email everybody who had pre-ordered and tell them there would be no fish because I couldn't preform.

The following opening in Seattle on October 16 was slow as well — less than 30 fish for my efforts. It's okay; it's just a late start. We fish again on Tuesday, October 25, and I'm confident there will be a few fish around. I heard reports of some guys catching a couple hundred fish in Hood Canal.

As the eternal optimist, I'll be there, ready to bring an overdue load of fish back to San Juan Island.

TO BE CONTINUED…