CatchWindow fishing intelligence

Cordova, AK Daily Water Report — October 8, 2026

Cordova gets a clear green light for small-boat and paddle plans today, with boating at 9.2/10 and kayaking at 8.4/10. The water is comparatively tame: waves run about 0.3 to 0.5 m, with a representative 0.36 m at 6.9 seconds, and winds stay light through the day at roughly 1.5 to 4.5 knots. Gusts are the wrinkle, topping out near 12.4 knots around 4 PM, but that is more of a “secure the loose hat” issue than a day-defining marine problem. No rain is indicated, skies are nearly clear, and atmospheric visibility is forecast near 13.9 km. The best all-round window is late morning into early afternoon. The 12:45 PM high tide coincides neatly with the 11:05 AM–1:05 PM solunar major period, while the light wind and small sea state favor a comfortable run for boaters and paddlers. Fishing rates a respectable 6.5/10, supported by stable pressure near 1017 hPa and that midday timing, though the score is solid rather than spectacular. The evening low tide at 6:48 PM also lines up closely with the 5:35–6:35 PM solunar minor period for shoreline explorers; just remember that a 0.21 m low exposes a very different shoreline than the 4.01 m midday high. Diving scores 7.3/10, matching yesterday’s rating, with low waves and light wind doing the heavy lifting. Marine SST is 9.7 C, so cold-water preparation remains non-negotiable. The reported 13.9 km visibility is atmospheric, not an underwater-visibility reading. Sailing earns 6.3/10: smooth conditions, certainly, but not much breeze to work with. Compared with the reconstructed recent CatchWindow history, today is calmer than the windier stretch earlier this week and nearly as favorable for boating as October 1–2. Kayaking is a step down from yesterday’s 9.6, mainly because today carries more gust potential. Friday remains the calm extension, with 0.3–0.4 m waves and light winds. Conditions turn wetter and rougher Saturday through Monday, with waves building as high as 1.3 m and winds increasing. Best bet: launch late morning, enjoy the noon high-water window, and be back with plenty of daylight before the evening low rewrites the shoreline.