Salmon shark, tagged fish, make for exciting trip
A 400-pound salmon shark added chaos and excitement to a halibut fishing charter last Wednesday aboard Capt. Darren Keeler’s boat, the Mary P II.
Paula Zimmerman of Newville, Pa., landed the 7-foot, 4-inch shark with a little help from captain, crew and fellow fishermen.
Jackpot Derby July winners
The Homer Chamber of Commerce has announced the July finalists with a lady fisherman taking first place. Angela Kline of Anchorage had to chose between first place for July, worth $1000, or being named Lady Angler of the month. Halibut Jackpot Derby coordinator Paula Frisinger said that rules prevent her from taking both prizes. She caught her 310.6 pounder July 28 while fishing with Captain Ben Martin of North Country Halibut Charters aboard the Fringe Benefit.
Halibut plan restructures quota for charters
A new plan to change halibut allocations for Homer-area charter boat customers is up for public comment. A special meeting planned for 7 p.m. tonight, Wednesday, at the Land’s End Resort is to discuss the proposal and draft a plan for action to educate the public about what the new structure would mean.
Elegant sport of fencing
Adventure movies often include scenes of sword battles, looking much like a stylized dance to the uninitiated. Fencing is a one-on-one sport that requires agility, balance and foresight. Figuring out what your opponent is going to do next can save your life. Or your game.
Dipnet fishery open 24 hours a day in July
In response to a record number of red salmon headed for the spawning grounds in the Kenai and Kasilof Rivers, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game has opened the dipnet personal use fishery at the mouth of the Kenai and Kasilof Rivers 24 hours a day, seven days a week through July 31 unless superseded by a subsequent order.
Derby has new July winners
Aaron Larson of Anchorage still holds the number one position in the July Jackpot Halibut Derby standings with his 252.3 pounder caught July 4 while fishing aboard the Bear Force I with Captain Rob Hyslip of Big Bear Halibut Charters.
A newcomer in the standings, Sam Slack of Rock Hill, South Carolina, captured second place with a 225.4 pounder July 20 while fishing with Captain Fred Berney aboard the Grande Alaska of the Berg’s Alaskan Fishing Adventures charter.
Exciting sail race
The new race the Homer Yacht Club added to the summer’s events featured a new start procedure which made for an interesting contest, Captain Erik Pullman said. Start times were staggered based on handicaps, and theoretically if all the handicaps were correct the boats would finish together, which they almost did.
Kilchers share homesteader pleasures, chores
The Kilcher family invited the public to share some of the more challenging and enjoyable aspects of homesteading at their ranch Saturday for their Sixth Annual Homestead Games.
A potluck barbecue highlighted the afternoon when a distant cousin from the Yukon, a professional chef, cooked a big pot of chili and grilled salmon to go with the dishes brought by guests.
Wynn Nature Center dedicates Toby Tyler rest area
Well-known artist Toby Tyler was accompanied by several friends and admirers on a hike down the Wynn Nature Center’s newest trail, the Billie Fischer Cottonwood Trail, Friday evening. The walk ended in a dedication ceremony of a rest area named for him.
The rest and the trail are marked by artistic signs crafted by Moose Run Metalsmith’s Teri Thurman.
Advice, regulations for fisheries updated
The Alaska Department of Fish and Game has issued an emergency order to protect the Anchor River king salmon fishery through midnight July 31. They are prohibiting the use of bait and/or treble hooks and also closing the inlet waters for two miles north and south of the river’s mouth.
