Day 54 ~ Duncanby Landing, Goose Bay to Fury Cove

The seas rolled into the dock for most of the night gingerly rocking the boat from side to side. When morning came none of us wanted to get up, which was just fine because our plan was to fish one hour before and one hour after slack tide which was at 1:41 p.m. Becca was more than willing to stay in her bunk , but by 10:00 Dad and I were antsy and ready to leave so we shoved off.

I was at the helm as we ran across the mouth of Fitz Hugh Sound in the bright sunlight. It felt good to have shorts on again.  It took us about an hour to get to Clark Point. As we approached the fishing grounds it was reassuring to see several boats out fishing. There were several boats heading in various directions, so Dad took over at the helm and I watched the poles.

In less than an hour we had our first silver salmon on board. It was little but still a keeper. Becca took the next one and was so quick to bring it to the back of the boat that we lost it in the process of getting our act organized. Then I landed a second salmon that was definitely bigger than the first one. Dad kept making big circles back to the spot that we were catching them. Becca decided to take charge of the third one when it hit. Dad and I raced to bring up the gear and both hit the down rigger balls at the same time blowing the fuse. Unable to bring them up, we popped the lines and started reeling them up. All the while reminding Becca to ‘Play’ the fish and give us time to get the gear up. Dad’s line was about 15 feet from the stern when a salmon decided to take his bait and add to the chaos. We were definitely entertaining to the pile of boats around us with two fish on and both down rigger wires hanging straight down.  To add to the circus, Dad’s fish was extremely theatrical jumping in the air and running from side to side getting the attention of anyone that wasn’t already watching.  Becca’s fish, much more under control, was waiting at the swim step to get in the net. I decided that Dad could continue his show, while I successfully netted Becca’s fish, flipping it into the cockpit and out of the net preparing for round two. Dad’s was less cooperative but after a bit of persuasion it too was in the net and in the cooler. I’m sure all the fishermen were more than a bit amazed that Dad and his girls pulled off a double header. Satisfied with our catch we set a course for Fury Cove, which we had scoped out on our way North.

When we arrived, our private little cove had two sail boats and another power boat. We were there on day 5 and there were no boats to be seen; now there were boats everywhere. Dad and Becca set the crab pots to no avail. We had some thawed bait left so I decided to drop a hook of the stern of the boat. Then Dad took a nap while listening to Yanni and some of his other Celtic music. Becca paddled around in the cove in the kayak. I caught a halibut but it was too little to keep.

After nap time, we went on a dinghy ride exploring the entire area of Fury Cove and all the adjacent coves. This country is absolutely magnificent and the sunset was glorious. As we weaved in and out exploring we teased Becca that we were lost but we weren’t.

After dinner (barbecued salmon), we all walked out to the bow to soak up the air and the evening. I’ve always known that I was a sappy person and after two months with my Dad I now know where I get it. We leaned against the rails of the boat and he talked how he thought the Simbalaut was so magical. She goes where we point her nose and does it with great passion to ensure our safety. She is covered with salt and happy that she has gotten off the dock and gone exploring. I was teary eyed listening to him talk. He loves this boat and boating period, I think that it represents his free spirit. This trip has been everything and more that we had hoped it would be and tomorrow we round Cape Caution as we head to familiar grounds. We are both anxious to get home to our families while sad that this is all coming to an end.

While I finish updating our story for the evening, Becca drifted off to sleep on the couch and Dad was snuggled in bed with his stuffed horse, I could already hear him snoring. I awakened Becca and went to bed myself after setting the alarm….tomorrow would be a rooster day!  I hate that darn rooster.