July 11th to 12th Eucott Bay up Cascade Channel back to Rattenbury Point

July 11^th to 12^th Eucott Bay up Cascade Channel back to Rattenbury Point

We have high overcast clouds for our run up scenic Cascade Channel.  This waterfall studded channel is aptly named and recent rains with snow melt make for an awesome tour of small to giant, short to extremely long waterfalls.  Photos do not do justice to the amazing granite mountains still covered with pockets of snow and cascades of water.  We go clear to the end and Odile spots two grizzly bears that duck out of site too quickly for photos. 

We end our long day anchored at Rattenbury Point, ever after to be known as halicod bay.  Upon arrival Odile and Carl commence fishing within minutes of rafting of the two boats.  They have to get out both Walt and Carl’s fish books to find out that they have landed Pacific cod which make wonderful fish and chips.  Pam takes off in the dinghy for a nearby shore for some shell seeking.  Walt attends to his hundreds of photos of this amazing day.

As Pam is returning she notes lots of activity at the back of ExTerra.  It seems Carl has hooked a giant halibut!  The boat anchor is in about 15 feet of water but the back of the boats are over 75’ plus.  Carl continues to work the large fish, it surfaces, splashes, dives and runs.  This goes on for around 45 minutes, all the while Carl is hanging on and the pole has that classic, big fish full bend tip down look.  

Many discussions are had about netting or gaffing.  Walt rigs a “flying gaff” whereby they can gaff the hali, hang onto the line and let the fish run until they can drag it up on the swim step.  Plan A is the net that Odile wields which the fish deftly jumps out of since the fish is much longer than our large net.  Carl eventually goes with plan C.  At Pam’s urging to sit down and lower his center of gravity (after visions of him doing a swan dive out the back of the boat!), Carl sits and is able to get the barbless hooked jig out of the mouth of the giant hali.  She floats very briefly then descends back to the depths of the sea.  What a day!   

But Wait!  Odile hears the telltale sound of a large whale.  Carl and Pam look to the starboard of their boat and sure enough, not too far off is another of these (hopefully) gentle krill feeding giants feeding along the steep drop off.  We get very little video yet thrill to see this kind of action so close to the boats.  We are anchored and of no danger to the whale so we simply enjoy this magnificent mammal.  A fitting end to a wonderful day.  As we drift off to sleep a gentle rain patters on the cabin top and the boat gently sways in the swell.