Charles and Margo Wood - Charlie\'s Charts North to Alaska

15

Sinkers are the most dangerous of all, being large 10gs that have become
~aterlogged and rest vertically in the water, rising and falling with the
swell. Their danger comes from their apparent invisibility when underwater. If
they rise when one passes over them a vessel can be badly damaged. However,
they are problems that occur in deeper water. One should report large logs,
deadheads or sinkers to the nearest Coast Guard (Canadian or U.S.) who will
broadcast their loeation in the Notice to Mariners, and who may remove them.

Debris includes small logs, wood ehunks, branehes, etc., but though it ean
be a nuisanee it is not usually a dangerous problem. It is as well to avoid
debris, particularly since the branehes seen may be attached to partially
submerged trees.

However, these dangers are not continuous, nor found everywhere. A good
lookout when travelling, common sense in avoiding travel at times of low
visibility, or at night, will allow a voyage in these waters to be safely
accomplished.

Fishing Nets

Fishing is es important as lumber production along this coast. One will
share the waterways, harbors, and anchorages with fishing craft of various
types since their working season falls in the summer and early autumn. Fishing
periods are strictly regulated by the governments of Canada and the U.S. since
the early years of uncontrolled over-fishing almost ruined this resource.
There are four main types of fishing vessels seen in these waters.

Trollers may be seen working the shores, bays, and banks. They are

recognizable by their long pole outriggers extended out from the boat when

fishing and troll lines streaming out behind. When passing astern of them one

should give them at least a 200- to 300-foot berth in order to pass over their

lines without fouling them. Tro11 caught salmon are the highest quality fish

seen in markets.

Gillnetters are known by the large spool and rollers --either on the

stern or the bow -- from which the net is let out while being supported by

floats. A buoy (red or orange) marks the net's free end. DO NOT PASS BETWEEN

THE ORANGE BUOY AND THE GILLNETTER as one will foul the net in one's prop,

rudder etc. The white floats which keep one side of the net at sea level can

usually be seen between the gillnetter and the orange float. Net size and

depth are regulated. Openings during the fishing season for gillnetters to

fish are tightly controlled by Fisheries Departments. 5uch openings move up or

down the coast with timings determined by the salmon runs arriving at river

entrances. Gill nets are usuaIly strung at right angles to the current flow,

with the vessel maintaining apulI on the line; but variable currents may cause

the nets to curve or wind about. Since gillnetters congregate in the high

yield areas of a channel their overlapping and crowded nets can be a major

problem if one i5 travelling on an open fishing day. They are supposed to

leave a clear passage but it is best if one weaves one's way around and past

the ends of their nets. When a gillnetter is fishing check to see if he is a

stern or bow netter and look well beyond for the buoy that marks the end of the

net.