Well, the good news is that it looks like good weather for the Fourth of July weekend. On the downside, keep a heads-up approach when in traffic around here.
A couple of days ago, while heading to the Spit, I had several encounters with drivers that had either been smoking their hemp seat mats or had the intellect of salmon roe.
The first driver was approximately the age of glacial silt and was attempting a left turn onto the by-pass from Lake Street.
This is usually a safe maneuver unless you make the decision not to honor the traffic light and don’t spot someone approaching from your right who is getting close enough to park in your glove compartment.
Fortuitously, the airhead’s wife spotted my truck and let out a bellow that nearly blew the hair off the miniature pooch sitting in her lap.
I don’t know what ever happened to that old boy, but when I looked in the rearview mirror, all I saw was her jaws snapping like a piranha in a feeding frenzy and her side of the windshield steamed up.
The second encounter came a few minutes later.
I was approaching Kachemak Drive when a dipstick shot out and swung toward the harbor. Trust me, I would have unloaded my complete navy seal instructors’ handbook of extremely rude expletives if I hadn’t already been vigorously engaged in a primal scream.
When he finally glanced up from checking his text messages and munching a burrito, he caught a glimpse of my ride standing on its front shocks and a fist signaling something a bit ruder than a left turn.
Brilliantly he swerved into the opposite lane. That was huge because it terminated my worries about taking a face plant up his tailpipe prior to ending up as major debris in his cup console.
Unfortunately, it deeply annoyed oncoming drivers who didn’t appreciate seeing his grill instead of taillights as he roared back to my side. Luckily, by then, I had slowed down so much that I could have stepped out and walked.
Needless to say, I was hot but my temper cooled when I saw him staring into his review mirror with a look on his face that wished that he had been wearing Depends.
Seriously folks, take it easy if you are travelling this weekend. You literally don’t know who you might run intro.
Time now to take a look at the fishing report for the week of June 30.
Freshwater Fishing
The Anchor River, Deep Creek, and Ninilchik River are closed to all sport fishing through July 15.
The China Poot personal use dipnet fishery has been a crapshoot and the water is still high. Expect fair fishing until this run kicks up a gear or two.
Saltwater Fishing
Kachemak Bay/Cook Inlet
Groundfish
Halibut fishing continued its hot streak the last week. Several of the larger fish were caught north of Anchor Point this weekend.
Surf fishing has remained a hoot for those anglers without boats or just don’t want to launch and retrieve scenario.
Whiskey Gulch and Deep Creek are exceptional locations to try for halibut.
Fishing off the tip of the Homer Spit is still producing a diversity of groundfish including halibut, sculpins, skates, sharks, flounders, cod, an occasional confused salmon, and things you would be better off just cutting your line rather than mess with.
King Salmon
King fishing improved last week and should remain passable over the coming week. Remember that July is normally the sluggish month for kings, so don’t get your hopes up.
Nick Dudiak Fishing Lagoon is still providing anglers some decent fishing, especially in the early hours. Look for an emergency order later this week to allow snagging for a few days.
Sockeye Salmon
There should be a few fish around Tutka Lagoon and in front of China Poot Creek. Whacking away with weighted treble hooks seems to be the way to go.
Emergency Orders
Anchor River and Deep Creek Closed to Sport Fishing
Sport Fishing for King Salmon Closed in Upper Cook Inlet Salt Waters
King Salmon Bag Limit Reduced from 2 to 1 in Lower Cook Inlet Salt Waters
Changes to King Salmon Gear in the Ninilchik River
Rockfish bag limit reduction: 2 pelagic, 1 non-pelagic. No retention of yelloweye through June 30
For additional information, please contact the Homer ADF&G Office at 907-235-8191.
Nick can be reached at ncvarney@gmail.com if he isn’t still trying to rent a half-track for transportation over the weekend.
