Vermillion
2013-05-16 18:33:49
I am having a tuff time finding either tenders or cold storage to supply me with ice right now. I want to fish down in Tebenkof Bay and up near Elfin Cove. If anyone has any numbers I can call I would appreciate. I've searched all over the internet and haven't found much; what I did find was unsuccessful.
Abundance
2013-05-16 18:41:21
The last time that I was in Chatham, we had regular tender service from the Eyak. I believe that he will go anywere that there are a few boats fishing. I dont know about Elfin Cove.
curmudgeon
2013-05-16 19:03:08
I was just out at Elfin and the word on the VHF was that Pelican has a small ice machine going. I got ice at Glacier Seafoods in Juneau, and it still took them 45 min to get the auger un-stuck. Kinda out of the way for you though. Hoonah has ice too. Maybe call Hoonah and get the number for the woman that owns the Shoreline Barge at Pelican, she could tell you for sure what the scoop is in Pelican.
Curmudgeon gave you good advice. I would start with a list of northern SE troll fish processors and work my way through them by phone and ask them where they are planning to provide scow and/or tender service. For Tebenkof the EYAK works out of SSS-Sitka and handles the Port Alexander vicinity at that end of Chatham. Excursion Inlet Packing (Ocean Beauty), Hoonah Cold Storage/Taku Fisheries, Icicle Seafoods, AK Glacier Seafoods, Sitka Sound Seafoods, Seafood Producers Co-op and probably others will give you a pre-season outline of where they plan to have tender service and what their service(s) will consist of.
Salty
2013-05-18 21:11:30
Good question and info provided.
Icy Straits owns Hoonah Cold Storage now. Their owner is Hank Baumgart.
Kake Fisheries is also planning at least some tender service as they are operating that plant this summer.
Trident Seafoods is also planning troll tender service in June in Icy Straits.
SPC is not planning chum troll tender service in Icy Straits this year.
Cross Sound Marketing, out of Elfin Cove might be able to give you the fisherman's perspective.
The chum trollers association has a quality quidelines sheet for round pinks and chums (also posted on this site) they plan to distribute this summer.
A lot of indications that these are tough times for SE trollers. Communicating with the processors about exactly what they want in terms of handling, trip length, etc. are going to be essential to maintaining service and prices.
Fishing Tebenkof and Cross Sound used to be a great troll season plan. With a stop in Warm Springs for berries, trout, and baths when making the move in late July or early August, it usually made for a great season. Seems like it is a lot tougher to make it on the inside these days. Good luck.