July 12 - 13, 2024 -Leesoffskaia Bay

July 13, 2024

With conditions forecasted to deteriorate, we decided to reposition from the northern side of Sitka Sound to a southern location which would be better protected from the southern swells and winds. As we entered Leesoffskaia Bay, conditions were calm with interesting shoreline. Immediately after setting the anchor, we spotted a doe and fawn along the shore along with numerous eagles soaring about. There were pink salmon jumping in the bay, so we took turns fishing, hoping to catch one to test in the smoker. No luck fishing. Geary took a row of the bay, checking out the head of the bay and watching a small group of four deer along the shore. By the days end we had spotted a total of nine deer.

The next morning, we woke to calm conditions and rain. The morning quickly became interesting though as we watched a group of eagles, some juvenile, on the shoreline working on a meal. Soon we saw one take flight with part of the meal as though it was training the juvenile how to fish by dropping the catch and having the juvenile retrieve the dropped fish. To add to our morning entertainment a purse seiner, Revival, pulled in and dropped their net between Raven and the shore. He was approximately 100 yards away as we watched his operation, his tender holding him in positions as the captain and crew of four pulled in the net. The pink we had seen jumping were now a bounty for Revival!

After two days of: “Current forecast rain amounts are for areas along the Icy Strait Corridor including Juneau to see anywhere from 3 to 5 inces of rain through Monday afternoon.” we are ready for a change. It is off to Sitka to ready the boat for Beth’s arrival on Monday afternoon with a planned departure of Tuesday, heading inland.