The Northern Exposure

The Department of Fish and Game closed the midweek opening and this has resulted in a winding, three day long crisis of faith for the Norsel and other boats.

Lost boats running, circumventing islands, zig zagging across Southeast Alaska.

In town, we were told to stay close to the boat for a decision based on the announcement. No excursions, no jogs, no drinking. Down the dock in top houses, skippers could be seen, some smoking, others hunched, waiting for the Announcement.

We got the word: back to the boat ASAP, we’re running. We left Ketchikan at 6 p.m. and traveled through the night to Anita Bay only to arrive in the early morning hours and see only one other boat and not a sign of fish.

We ran another 20 hours to area 9 on a tip texted from another boat. I was on the wheel as we arrived. The silence in the top house: nothing to see and nothing to speak of. No jumpers.

We made a couple sets and yielded nothing. We ran to area 10. We caught enough to pay for fuel but not food.

We ran all day and all night back to Ketchikan.