Fishing Yields Results-Neka Bay, Flynn Cove and Excursion Inlet

From Hoonah, we travelled south with Airship to Neka Bay, a quiet anchorage with lots of islands and coves to explore by dinghy.

Icy Strait leads to the Gulf of Alaska, past Glacier Bay and multiple other inlets to explore. Passing Hoonah again, we turned West and headed around the corner to Flynn Cove.

With salmon constantly leaping from the water, splashing down on their side in an impressive belly-flop, it wasn't long before we were out trolling around Flynn Cove. After several strikes, fights and losses, finally success! A nice big Pink Salmon.

Excursion Inlet is just east of Glacier Bay and in Glacier Bay National Park. The mountains are taller and more dramatic in this deep indentation of the mainland.

Dinghy exploring took us to a small public dock next to a cannery. There is a small store and a hike to a lake, but a sign at the top of the dock requested non-locals remain on the dock. (It is easy to forget Covid-19 is still a concern when you are off the grid for so long.)

At the head of an adjacent bay, a broad delta was adorned with wildflowers (I think Golden Indian Paintbrush), a river and these well camouflaged Least Sandpipers.

Floating nearby were Marbled Murrelets fishing for dinner.

The low effort way of halibut fishing is to drop your line (circle hooks with a chunk of salmon belly-remember the pink we caught?) off the back of the boat while at anchor and forget about it. Until the pole clunks against the rail, you pick it up and line starts peeling out. Thanks Jim Schafer for the magic halibut pole!

Receiving expert advice on how to filet a halibut from Kevin. Not too bad.

Life abounds.