Visit Sika Magazine 2024-2025 | Page 18

ACTIVITIES
Fishing around Sitka happens in all four seasons , so visitors can catch sight of local fishing vessels in action any time of year – though what they ’ re catching depends on the season . But how do you know what kind of boat you ’ re looking at ?
TROLLERS
SEINERS
GILLNETTERS
LONGLINER
Look for tall poles that
If you look out and see a
Seiners , however , are
A fishing boat with no net
stretch high from the sides
large boat with a massive
not to be confused with
or poles in sight might
of a large commercial
net that drapes down
gillnetters , another boat
indicate a longliner . Aptly
fishing boat that form an
from it ’ s tall poles like a
that relies on a net method
named , longliners use
upside-down triangle ,
bride ’ s veil , you ’ re seeing
to catch fish . Gillnetters
long baited fishing lines
and you ’ ll find a troller .
a seiner . Seiners use
are known for the large
that are rigged to a buoy
Trollers are used to catch
hydraulic power blocks
reel , or “ drum ,” that stores
on one end and an anchor
salmon , and occasionally
to reel in huge schools
the boat ’ s net . When
on the other before being
bottom-fishing for halibut ,
of fish , like salmon and
fishing , this net stretches
dropped to the seafloor .
by first baiting these tall
herring , that are trapped
underwater , hanging like a
This angler method draws
poles and then slowly
in their giant nets . A
webbed curtain that snags
in deep-sea fish , like cod
dragging the lines through
seiner is best at catching
the gills of salmon trying to
and halibut .
the water .
fish that live close to the
swim through it .
water ’ s surface .
TLINGÍT CANOE
A style of fishing boat you might not see on the water , but you can get an up close look at in town , is the traditional Tlingít canoe . This fishing boat dates back thousands of years , and its rich history can be observed in the intricate carvings of the wooden watercraft . You can find a traditional Tlingít canoe in front of Harrigan Centennial Hall ’ s western wall or at the Sheldon Jackson Museum .
RECREATION AND SAFETY VESSELS
Fishing boats aren ’ t the only vessels on these oceanic “ roadways .” Yachts , kayaks , aluminum skiffs , and charter fishing boats frequent Sitka ’ s waters too . And with a U . S . Coast Guard Base in town , you might also catch sight of their ships , which can be seen cruising the waters and helping keep Sitka ’ s boaters safe .
16 | VISIT SITKA MAGAZINE