After an excellent 2016, getting ready for 2017

Exchange Cove Lodge was open for business in 2016. We had 16 guests all of whom had a great experience. While 2016 was a slow year for Coho Salmon at Whale Pass and throughout southeast Alaska, our guests did well during their visits. Those focused on salmon were able to fill one fish box each. Normally two fish boxes would be more common.

In addition to fishing in the Bay, our guests trolled for salmon with consistent success. 2016 was our best year yet for halibut. Previously our guests have drift fished for halibut. In 2016 we added anchor pulling gear and this improved our guest halibut catch.




A typical fishing day for our guests involves fishing for salmon on the incoming tide for a couple of hours and Halibut fishing during the slack tide and beyond, followed by more salmon fishing if desired. Most guests caught the daily self -guided limit of two halibut.  In addition to fishing, guests enjoyed bear watching on local streams and visiting local attractions like El Capitan Cave and Beaver Falls or just relaxing at Exchange Cove Lodge.

Lodge construction continued in 2016 with the addition of insulated River Rock look skirting around the guest house and a ceiling inside the garage. 2017 construction plans include a second covered fish/game processing area.

On a personal note, Betty Sue Katz and I married in November 2016. Our families have been connected for generations. We grew up in the same small town. Some of her brothers worked during summers on my father's sheep ranch as young men. Betty and I did not meet as adults until after my Wife Debra and her husband Herb died about six weeks apart of the same rare disease in early 2015. Betty and I look forward to providing "Alaska adventures with a personal touch" at Exchange Cove Lodge for many years to come.