June 14-16, 2023 - Hoonah

June 14-16, 2023 - Hoonah

We had an easy transit north up Chatham Strait to Icy Strait where we decided to stop and fish on the east side of the Sisters Reef, a place Ellipsis had recently been successful.  As we came up Icy Strait, towards Sisters Reef, we found lots of sea otters in the vicinity.  And nearing the reef, as we prepared to anchor in ~50’, we came across a humpback whale feeding between us and the shore.  We coasted in as we waited for him to leave the area and then set our anchor at 11:00 – just ahead of slack current.  While fishing, the whale had made a loop around the island making a close pass near the boat.  After an hour and a half, at 12:30 with no bites, we had decided to call it and head to Hoonah when Lois caught a halibut.  With the fish on-board, we headed to Hoonah where we planned to meet up with Ellipsis.  Pulling into Hoonah, we docked on the transient dock, with Ellipsis arriving later in the day and tying to H-dock where they were able to use the 30-amp connection.  We had a nice halibut dinner aboard Ellipsis that evening, catching up and discussing plan for the next few days.  Given there was a system headed this way, we decided to stay a total of three nights before heading out into Icy Straits.

 

The next day, a 90’ vessel left the end of H-dock so we quickly repositioned Raven to the end of H-dock which would give us 50-amp power for the boat.  Later in the day as the rain and wind picked up from the passing system, Sea-Pal, and Foreign Affair arrived, with Sea-Pal tying up in front of Raven and Foreign Affair in a slip halfway along H-dock.  That evening we had Carl and Melody over to Raven for another halibut diner and an evening of good conversation.

 

The third day, weather started to clear, and it was off to the store for provisions and fishing tackle.  That evening it was happy hour aboard Ellipsis with Steven and Suzanne Webster from Fortitude, Kady-Krogen 54’, to share stories and learn about their float plans to southern waters and beyond, finished off with a nice chili dinner.  With plans to leave at 4:30 AM for Mud Bay for halibut fishing, we quickly called it a night to get rested for the early departure.


Sea Otter in Icy Strait

Sea Otter in Icy Strait

Geary cleaning another catch

Sunset in Hoonah




Location: Hoonah, AK, USA

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