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April 2009 | Volume 1 | Issue 6
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Welcome to Angling Unlimited 2009
The world has changed since spring 2008
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Yes, we’re talking about the economy, which has challenged everyone including AU. We’ve downsized to a 7 boat operation. We still have great dates scattered through much of the schedule – something we haven’t seen in early April for many years. More than a few charter operations in Southeast Alaska have gone under this winter and many others are barely surviving. We don’t need to tell you that it’s tough out there. That said, we’re doing okay with bookings
and have made it well past the mere survival mode. We’re grateful to every one of you for that.
One thing AU will never downsize is service. We’re maintaining our staff at the same level as previous years. We’ve got a great crew for 2009, some new and some all time favorites returning. We will deliver the kind of service you deserve and AU demands.
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New In 2009:
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Photo Album
We’re adding a photo management service that will be organized by long time AU hostess Brielle Carlson. Your captain will be taking lots of photos on the water and Brielle will be doing the same at the dock. We’ll combine our photos with yours (just give her your memory card) into a CD slide show of highlights and specials moments from your trip with a copy for everyone in your party.
AU Social Hour!
Also new in 2009, we’re setting up a tent facility (like the ones you see at weddings) that will serve as the AU Social Center. On one of the evenings of your trip, you’ll be invited to join the AU crew, our families, and your fellow fishers to enjoy appetizers and talk about anything but religion, politics, or the economy (unless it’s up). It’s a great chance to share your fishing stories, relax, and get even better acquainted with the AU staff and owners.
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Hook It and Cook It
New Chef and New Wine Tasting
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Seattle native and restaurant legend Peter Dow is our chef for the 2009 “Hook It and Cook It”. Peter founded the highly reviewed and much loved Café Juanita in Kirkland, Washington in 1977.
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He sold the restaurant in 2000 and now devotes his considerable talents to wines. He founded Cavatappi Winery with Italian varietals in 1985 and has just completed his 21st harvest of Nebbiolo, the first in Washington State. In 1984 he started Cavatappi Distribuzione and represents over 200 wineries from around the world. He will add wine tasting to the “
Hook It and Cook It” this year.
Peter loves fishing and has spent countless hours drowning herring at Point No Point in Puget Sound. A Google search on Peter Dow and Café Juanita will bring up boundless praise. You can start with this article at seattlepi.com
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Regulation Watch
Good News on King Salmon
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The abundance index for king salmon came in higher than expected which means good fishing and much better regulations. We’re back to a one king per day, 3 per season limit, 28 inch minimum throughout the season. There will be no step down in annual limit in July and August, and no nearly unattainable 48 inch minimum. And, the 2010 index is expected to be considerably better than 2009.
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View 2009 Regulations on our website.
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Halibut
The North Pacific Fishery Management Council (NFPMC) passed a one halibut per day bag limit in October of 2008. This regulation is working its way through the bureaucracy with a likely implementation date of June 1, 2009. Last year a similar regulation was put on hold by a law suit, which is again possible in 2009, but don’t count on it. Expect a one per day bag limit from June 1 onward and if the limit is higher, be pleasantly surprised.
Other Species
There are no changes in limits for other species. Coho remain 6 per day, no annual limit. We have a lingcod season from May 16 – June 15 and again from August 16 through the end of the year. Limit is one per day, one per season for lings between 30 and 35 inches plus you can keep a second ling if it’s over 55 inches (a whopper and some). Rockfish limits are the same and AU will be working hard to minimize the catch of yelloweye rockfish which are old, slow growing fish that deserve every possible conservation effort.
SEAGO (Southeast Alaska Guides Organization)
The big reason we held ground with regulations on State of Alaska managed species (everything but halibut) is SEAGO, an organization of guides and lodge operators throughout Southeast Alaska. AU’s Captain Tom Ohaus help formed SEAGO and currently serves as president. It’s a heck of a job trying to organize a diverse group of independent and highly opinionated charter operators and it’s a tough year to raise money to fund SEAGO. Nevertheless, we went into the Alaska Board of Fisheries meetings and held back dozens of regulations that would have limited
your opportunities when fishing in Southeast Alaska. We will be distributing information on SEAGO to our guests this summer. Any support you can lend will go directly to working for your fishing opportunities. You can check us out at http://www.seagoalaska.org
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AU Website Wins Award |
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Absolute Marketing Group recently received several ADDY awards, including one for the website they created for Angling Unlimited. Chuck and Jenny McNamee (AU partners) were invited to attend the ADDY Awards Gala in Fargo on February 29 and receive the award.
The ADDY Awards are a national competition put on by the American Advertising Federation. Categories range from traditional advertising media such as newspaper and television to on-line marketing. Highly regarded professionals from outside markets judged the entries and granted awards based on innovative merit and the accuracy of addressing the intended audience.
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Check us out at – http://AnglingUnlimited.com
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Captain Tom Ohaus and Captain Chuck McNamee
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