Friday in Homer

Leslie Friday, August 8, 2008

Another beautiful day. We could stay in Homer for a long time (but not through the winter). Here’s a shot of Carpe Diem looking out at the sea.



Around 5:00 pm I walked along spit strip looking in the shops and watching the fish hauls.

This family got a haul of small salmon.



At two different places I saw 110 lb. halibut on the scale.




I was curious if it is cheaper to catch your own halibut than to buy it from the fish processors. Apparently it is not. The cost of a daily charter is around $150 per person. An out of state fishing license costs around $40. The fish processors charge $1.30 - $1.40 per pound to clean, package and freeze the fish. Each fisherperson is limited to two halibut per day. The average size fish weigh about 6-10 pounds. I’m guessing that from a 10 pound fish, you would net about 6 pounds of filets. That would make the filets over $30 per pound. You can buy flash frozen filets of halibut or King Salmon from the fish processors for $14.95 per pound.

The people in the rig parked next to us were weekenders from Anchorage. Although they were here to fish, they told us that it is always cheaper to buy in fresh fish in the grocery stores in Anchorage. These men were fishing for halibut on Saturday in Homer then driving to Seward to fish in a derby there on Sunday. They shared some home smoked and canned salmon with us. We’re curious to try the recipe. I think I now understand why all the locals can their fish. Other people we had asked has told us that they can the fish because it lasts longer than frozen but I really think it’s to make different flavors.

Our campground is located just beyond the memorial to seafarers lost at sea. A number of the sponsorship tiles at the base were contributed by the men on the Fishing Vessel Time Bandit of Deadliest Catch fame.