Fiordland, Kynoch Inlet/Culpepper Lagoon, 08.24.2013

Retrieving both our crab & shrimp pots produced no food this morning.  Not really surprised as late last night we saw a commercial crabber come pick up his numerous pots at the head of the bay. 

All we caught were three different types of starfish and one female crab that had to go back! LOL!

We moved on this morning rounding Mathieson Point and headed south down Mathieson Channel.  The weather was pleasant as we entered the Fiordlands of the BC west coast. 

The Fiordland Recreation Area was established in 1987 with sheer beautiful mountains.  Very much like the Misty Fiords of Alaska.

Upon entering Kynoch Inlet there is beautiful Kynoch Waterfall.  Like in Alaska, we dropped Ronnie off in the dingy while Bruce ran the boat past.  Some great photos were taken.  (I love this camera!)

There are a lot of waterfalls all along the Fiordland, with black granite mountains with bowl basins!  Very beautiful!

At the head of the inlet we set in 100’ to wait for the 4:00pm high tide to visit Culpepper Lagoon. 

There is a 2’ bar across the Culpepper Lagoon entrance at low tide, high tide gave us 17’ of clearance.  After a run through the narrows into the lagoon, we where joined by 2 Dall porpoises that swam along side the boat for awhile, then we came back out and set in 100’ again for the night.  All of our rode line is out for the night. 

Sleep well!

Windy Bay, Sheep Passage 08.23.2013

The fog was heavy this morning as we raised the hook to continue south.

Also, because of the heavy rain and 20’+ tides, the amount of debris in the water on Graham Reach has dramatically increased.  Our radar was working well and even showed all the logs and large debris pockets in our way. 

 

The next couple of days have gall force warnings – that’s winds above 35 knots.  We have decided to do an indirect route to Shearwater that should give us a lot more protection from the wind. 

After passing through Hiekish Narrows at the south shore of Sheep Passage near the eastern end is Windy Bay.

This bay is big, open and flat, but unlike its name is well protected from the wind.  We set the hook just east of the little island at the northeast corner of the bay in 80’ with plenty of swing room. 

We dropped a prawn pot and a crab pot and will leave them out for an overnight soak.

As of dinner time, yes another version of halibut – halibut chowder.  Another yummy meal! 

We are the only boat in the bay.

Khutze Inlet, Princess Royal Channel, Graham Reach, B.C. 08.22.2013

Once we left Butedale we headed south on Graham Reach for our evenings anchorage at Khutze Inlet.  You may remember we anchored here on our trip north.  Our last trip we stayed at the head of the bay (Ron & Lynn anchored at the waterfall) and we caught those large crabs!

 

This time we anchored in 50’ of water on the east side of Green Spit in the fairway.  We set a total of 160’ of rode down. 

 

An hour or so after anchoring S/V Callisto, which we first met in Wrangle, rafted right next to us.  After an evening visiting with Bob & Reinette on Sea Chalet, we rowed by Callisto and visited briefly with Bruce & Ellen and caught up on their summer travels. 

 

We had a peaceful evening at anchor.

Butedale, Princess Royal Island 08.22.2013

While Bruce was cooking breakfast burritos a crew transport vessel came to pick up Luke to head back into Kitimat.

 

A barge also arrived to drop off some logging equipment and a new truck. 

 

While the operators were delivering the equipment they broke a hydraulic line.  So they came aboard M/V Ocean Explorer I and had breakfast.  All nice people.

Once breakfast was over we left the bay to catch up with Sea Chalet. 

It was a pleasant run down Ursula Channel where we saw a lot of whales!  We caught up with Sea Chalet where they were fishing at Kingcome Point, which is located where McKay Reach and Fraser Reach meet up with Ursula Channel. 

 

Continuing south together on the Inside Passage of Princess Royal Channel, we motored down Frazer Reach and briefly stopped at the old cannery site in Butedale, on Prince Royal Island, which unfortunately is very rundown.

 

We spent time visiting with the caretaker, Lou, and his sister who was visiting from Kitimat. 

 

Took a tour of the powerhouse which brings electricity to the house.  “Lou connected a 115 amp 12-volt alternator to one of the old turbines.  A V-belt runs from the rotating turbine to a countershaft mounted on pillow blocks.  A second V-belt connects a large pulley on the countershaft with a small pulley on the alternator, which turns over at 1200 to 1400 rpm.”  The alternator charges the batteries in the powerhouse and the inverter provides power to his satellite dish from one of the batteries Lou is charging.  Lou carries the fully charged battery down to the house and connects it there to his TV and Sirus satellite radio.  No electric bill!

 

Lou tells us that a new group of investors purchased the property last year and were supposed to start work on the place this summer – but they haven’t shown up yet this year.  We hope they do as it would be a shame for this all to revert back to nature and all this history to be lost.

Kitsaway Anchorage, Devastation Channel 08.21.2013

Having gotten all our normal in town chores done, we left the dock

heading south down Douglas Channel where we toured Jesse Falls

 

then continued south on Devastation Channel and stopped at Weewanie Hot Springs again.  This time we were the only ones there.  Since we were there when it was cleaned the other day it was great!  The tub was full and nice and hot! 

 

Our anchorage for the night was 6 miles south off Devastation Channel at Kitsaway located between Hawksbury & Kitsaway Islands. 

 

Upon entering the inlet we chose a “bite” that seems nice and flat at 50’ of water.  Bruce made a larger than normal circle and set the hook with a total of 160’ of rode out.  The bottom here is soft mud with grass and shells. 

 

We enjoyed wonderful halibut burgers for dinner

 

and then rowed over to visit with the 110’ logging camp vessel, M/V Ocean Explorer I.  There were only 2 people on board, Karen, the safety officer & cook, and Luke, the engine mechanic – the rest of the crew went into Kitimat a week ago and are due back tomorrow. 

 

We all had such a nice time visiting that we took them up on the offer of rafting off the side of their boat and having breakfast together before we left in the morning.