| Summary: | HALIBUT BOATS ALL SNUGGLED IN. HALIBUT BOATS ALL SNUGGLED IN Safe from the storms of the Pacific, Seattle's huge halibut fleet yesterday was berthed in snug moorings on Salmon Bay and Lake Union to await the opening of the next fishing season, March 15, 1937. Hooks are being separated from ground lines and gear stored away until the fleet outfits for another season on the banks. Manned by 1,575 fishermen, 175 vessels brought 22,296,230 pounds of halibut to Seattle during the season, compared with 21,691,700 pounds the corresponding period in 1935, an increase of 604,530 pounds, according to Harold E. Lokken, manager of the Seattle Fishing Vessel Owners’ Association. Value Is $1,970,943 The catches were valued at $1,970,943, compared with $1,793,512 in 1935, an increase of $177,431. The average price this year was 8.83 cents compared with 8.27 cents last year. The fishing season opened March 15 and closed November 3 and units of the fleet from distant banks have been arriving in Seattle to tie up for the winter. The last vessels came from the Portlock and Albatross fishing grounds. Although much heavy weather was experienced on the banks, no vessels were wrecked and no lives were lost. The schooner Yakutat, Capt. Anton Ness, brought the largest halibut landed in Seattle during the season. It was caught on the Western Alaska banks and weighed 325 pounds. Had to Rig Gear When the huge fish was brought to the surface of the water on the Yakutat’s gear, it was necessary to rid a special tackle to get it aboard the schooner, because of its weight. Until the Yakutat landed her “whale,” the schooner Chelsea held the record with a 257-pounder caught off Chirikof Island, noted for its herds of wind cattle. The smallest halibut of the season was brought to Seattle by schooner Vansee, Capt. Andrew Olson, from the Portlock banks. It was ten inches long and weighed eight ounces dressed.
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