Although the official salmon season started over a week ago, one would hardly know it by looking at St. Herman Harbor. Seiners and tender boats alike are still lined up along the docks as captains eagerly wait for the perfect run of salmon.

Area management biologist of the Alaska Department for Fish and Game, Kevin Brennan, said this year’s run has not been as strong as last year. However, he very quickly pointed out that it is still very early in the season, and this is the first time since the late 1960s and early 1970s that the opening has been so early.

This year’s early opening, which started June 1, is also following a more recent trend in the last several years of earlier and earlier sockeye runs. Last year the initial season opening began on June 9.

Based on the ADF&G scientific analysis, this year’s sockeye harvest for the Kodiak area is predicted to be 2.6 million. Like most salmon seasons though, this number is expected to be closer to 3-3.5 million sockeyes, which is still less compared to last year’s total catch of 4.1 million. Brennan remained hopeful though, and pointed out that on Wednesday alone more than a quarter million fish were reported caught while the escapements still remained at a reasonable level.

Fishermen lingering around the boat harbors, coffee shops and other hangouts around town are waiting to go out fishing. High fuel costs and low salmon prices are also causing captains to be extra cautious about leaving.

Similar to last year, the base price for red salmon is 65 cents per pound, one local processing manager said. However, fishermen can get an extra 5 cents per pound for both transporting fish on ice or in refrigerated sea water, as well as if they deliver directly to the dock. The manager also stated that prices for other types of salmon were still under negotiation.

Recent reports show that the west side of the island, between Termination Point and Karluk and especially in Uyak Bay, has been where the majority of successful fishing is being done.

According to the ADF&G, “A weir is being installed off the Karluk River (somewhat later than in previous years) and initial reports indicate approximately 35,000 sockeye salmon are already moving from saltwater toward the weir.”

Down at the southern end of the island in Alitak, fishing since Wednesday has been decent according to Brennan, although the trend again is that the sockeye runs have not been as strong as last year. To compensate for the slow runs though, Fish and Game extended the fishing times in Alitak.

Word around the docks confirms that the season is picking up. Fishermen, getting their gear and nets ready, report some seiners have started catching a good amount of fish at the southern end of the island.

Brennan is also hopeful about the prospect of a 48-hour commercial salmon fishing opener in Cape Igvak from today through 12:01 a.m. Sunday June 12. Located along the Alaskan Peninsula across from the southern end of the island, seiners will be catching the sockeye bound for Chignik.

Fishermen and sockeyes have a mutually dependant relationship, Brennan explained, as the number of sockeyes that go up the rivers to mate need to be regulated. Department officials must continuously evaluate the five to six major systems around the island and on the Alaskan Peninsula to manage escapements.

For now though, most fishermen are waiting until the salmon are hitting hard, and can only hope to catch the scent of money.