The Lodge at Whale Pass

Region 1-Southeast — News Release

NOAA REDUCES HALIBUT LIMITS, AND OTHER REGULATORY CHANGES FOR SOUTHEAST CHARTER ANGLERS Under newly released federal regulations, effective June 1, 2008 the daily bag limit for anglers fishing from a sport fishing charter vessel in IPHC Area 2C (all marine waters of southeast Alaska except Yakutat) is one (1) halibut of any size per day with a possession limit of two (2) halibut of any size. A charter vessel is a vessel registered by the State of Alaska and operated by a State of Alaska licensed sport fishing guide. They are easily identified by a green and gold decal attached to each side of the vessel. Anglers fishing from vessels other than registered charter vessels in Southeast can harvest two (2) halibut of any size per day with a possession limit of four (4) halibut of any size. A charter vessel angler fishing in IPHC Area 2C waters may use only one fishing line; no more than six lines are allowed on a charter vessel fishing for halibut. Charter operators, guides and crew may not catch and retain halibut during a charter fishing trip.

Newly released federal rules also require guides to record anglers’ names and fishing license numbers in the charter vessels’ trip log book and for anglers retaining halibut to sign the log at the end of the charter vessel fishing trip. All recording requirements for halibut annual limits in the 2008 Salt Water Logbook are no longer required. Charter operators do not need to record any information regarding annual limits for halibut. These rules only apply to chartered anglers fishing in IPHC Area 2C. Anglers fishing from a sport fishing charter vessel in other areas of the state may continue to keep two halibut of any size per day. Sport anglers fishing from non-chartered vessels statewide may also continue to keep two halibut of any size daily.

Refer to the following NOAA web site for the News Release: http://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/newsreleases/2008/halibut052208.htm

Questions regarding these new rules should be directed to the NMFS at 907-586-7228 These new regulations will remain in effect until further notice.

Sarah and Guy returned to Whale Pass with kids River and Devin and dog Dexter on a warm and sunny day in Southeast Alaska. Back for their fourth season since starting the lodge, staff and guests, many old friends from previous years, gathered on the dock to form a motley welcoming crew. Being the first day all summer to climb up into the 80s, a group swim into the cool waters of “Rytful” bay could not be avoided. Sporting bathing suits dug from the depths of suitcases, and flashing legs whiter than the bottom side of a halibut, boat rats Paul, Kyle and Aaron, along with house staff Suzie and Katie and kid program coordinator Kenny, all doggie paddled off to the storage raft. The kids, with eyes bigger than silver dollars, kept jumping off the dock and scrambling back out of the 60 degree bath.

After dinner, Sarah and Guy, along with partners Kevin and Lyn, renewed their connection to the place with a “Night Bite” fishing trip out the South Passage on the Blaske, the Lodge’s original boat. Harkening back to the days of exploring the area in an 8hp skiff before purchasing the Lodge, the four owners shared a rare opportunity to enjoy the bounty of the area that they’ve shared so happily with guests. Even before they could get a hook in the water, a pod of 8 humpback whales broke the surface next to the boat like a gold medal team of synchronized swimmers. For the next 2 hours, the Ryters and the Fullharts sat back and watched one of the Inside Passage’s most amazing displays. The waters outside of our little bay is one of the rare places you can witness “Bubble Net Feeding”, a hunting method used by these whales to corral massive amounts of bait fish into concentrated balls for gulping. Diving down below the fish, the humpbacks swim in tightening circles blowing streams of bubbles through their blow holes and scaring the bait into a smaller and smaller area. Then, all together, mouths open wide, they swim up to the surface and feast like a linebacker at an all-you-can-eat buffet. For the angler on the boat, that means about every four or five minutes, the jaws, flippers, humps and flukes of these majestic creatures erupt from the tranquil waters. Then they loll around grabbing every last bit, rolling this way and that, blowing loud exhales and making all kinds of eerie, whaley noises. Then, fluke’s up, its back down for another hunt. Several full-bodied breaches later (with deafening crashes), a few tail slaps, and hours of real life discovery channel, and it was back to the Lodge where Paul and Aaron were filliting up a couple of 18 pound Coho they had just brought in with lodge guests Brian and Chica Brunsvald.

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While plying the waters right off the docks at the Lodge at Whale Pass in search of Spiny Dogfish Sharks, River Fullhart hooks up on the monster. Was it the biggest, most humongous of all Dogfish Sharks? Or a Halibut that had come into our bay in search of spawned out, dead Humpback Salmon?

Instead, after a 45 minute battle royale that drew in a small crowd of onlookers, a monster was brought up all right. But instead of a giant Shark or barn-door Halibut, it turns out to be a 120 pound Pacific Big Skate! This fish wieghted exactly three times as much as River. Had it not been for some support from dad (holding onto both River and the rod) this fish would have officially broken the existing IGFA World Record by a full 30 pounds!!! We think that there should be a new, ‘Father & Son’ catagory. Regardless of any official recognition, this was one big fish. Congratulations River.

A couple of months back on the Outdoor Life Network – OLN, NFL great, Larry Csonka fish was seem fishing the rich waters around Whale Pass for our large Halibut. Another episode will be airing on April 29 featuring Larry and his friend Smokey Joe enjoying some fast action for King Salmon.

To learn more info about the North to Alaska series, visit Larry’s website.
Zonk Productions

Alaska Magazine’s March issue has a great article in their Expeditions Section that truly highlights the unquie type of experience we offer in Whale Pass. The author cronicles her girlfriend’s first experience in Alaska through the adventures and explorations of our corner of Prince of Wales Island in SE Alaska.

Alaska Magazine