Good catches at Hidden Falls on Sunday, estimated at 250,000 plus or minus 25,000 chum. We’ll hone the estimate by mid afternoon today. Male proportion slipped to 45%, a dramatic change from Thursday. Multiply samples were taken to confirm the sex ratio. This strongly suggests we are at the mid point of the Hidden Falls return. Average size was 6.8 lb in last night’s sample. We will begin collecting broodstock in Kasnyku Bay this morning if we see the opportunity. F/V Reality, John Curry and F/V Voyager, Sven Stroosma are the designated broodstock collection boats for now.
Broodstock is the main concern at the moment, although I believe we will open Thursday. However if the sex ratio continues to slide on the Thursday opening we’ll need to evaluate whether a Sunday opening is wise.
Deep Inlet had decent catches for gillnetters and seiners last week with a total of 120,000 chum (including 5,000 for troll in Eastern Channel area). Only 1996 had a larger return in week 27. The difference is 1996 was a all time record return while this year’s return is likely to be an inordinately early return for the Hidden Falls stock. Hidden Falls is also on track to peak very early.
Sunday’s catch at Deep Inlet has not been estimated as of this writing, but it was described as a steady scratch all day and might reach a 10,000 pound average. Male ratio was 52% and average size was 6.2 lbs.
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