CatchWindow fishing intelligence

Umak Pass, off Narrows Point (NOAA PCT5636_1) Daily Water Report — October 5, 2026

Umak Pass is workable for capable crews, but it is not a soft-water day: sailing has the strongest fit, while small-craft plans need a conservative eye and cold-water discipline. Northwest wind is running around 20 knots, with gusts to 27 knots representative of the day and a stronger 33.6-knot gust possible near 11:00. Seas are mixed rather than elegant: wave heights range from 1.2 to 2.0 metres, with 1.46 m representative conditions, a 0.82 m southwest swell at 7.3 seconds, and short 1.06 m wind waves at just under four seconds. That short-period chop is the part that will keep the ride busy. The calmest forecast water is late, near 23:00, at 1.2 m, though darkness makes that a planning note rather than an invitation. Sailing rates highest at 9.2/10, reflecting plenty of wind, manageable forecast seas, and limited cloud cover. Boating sits at 6/10 and kayaking at 5.1/10: both are possible only with a realistic read on exposure, gusts, and the 8.6 C water. A capsize or mechanical problem will become serious quickly when air temperatures are near 8 C but feel closer to 1 C in the wind. Diving scores 6.4/10, but surface conditions remain the tradeoff; the reported 25.86 km atmospheric visibility is not an underwater-visibility reading. Fishing earns a respectable 6.3/10, with rising pressure toward 1024 hPa and solunar majors from 09:46 to 11:46 and 21:46 to 23:46. The late-morning major overlaps the day’s strongest-gust risk, so the quieter late major may be the more comfortable option if conditions allow. No tide data are available, removing an important piece of nearshore timing. The water is 8.6 C, about 1.1 C above average, while chlorophyll is moderate at 0.86 mg/m³; neither figure is a shortcut to what may be moving below the surface. Tuesday looks notably gentler, with 0.8–1.3 m waves, before Wednesday brings a 41.5-knot wind peak and seas potentially reaching 3.8 m. Rougher water persists into the end of the week. Best bet: sail early only with a gust-ready plan, or wait for Tuesday if your idea of fun includes fewer airborne coffee cups.