Fishing Alaska

My trip to Alaska did not disappoint. I flew out of Chicago into Ketchikan, Alaska, which was only about a 1.4 hour flight. The first night we stayed in the Fox hole lodge, and went down to the Sourdough bar to have a few drink. The Sourdough sits on the inner channel and gets a lot of interesting characters. My favorite part of the bar was walking around and looking at the pictures. They have old wreck and fisherman catch pictures, just kind of a unique setting.

On the first morning we woke up at 5:30, took a ferry across the channel and hoped on a float plane. About 35 minutes in we were headed down to our lodge. This is where the trip really turned fun. The plane pulled up to the dock and the owner and helpers were there to greet us. You're handed rain gear and people immediately start taking your bags to the cabin. We were loaded up on the boat having bloody marries and on our way to fish heaven by 7AM.

There is only room for about 20 people total in the cabins, spread across 5 boats. The lodge has a family atmosphere in terms of how you are treated. Day one everyone knew my name, down to the owner and his wife. They are just genuinely good people.

Every day kind of went like this: One the boat and leaving by 7, limit on Coho between 7-11, go out after sea bass, yellow eye, and Halibut until 4. Then around 4:30 be back at the dock where the crew would unload the fish, and we would take pictures. From there it was quick walk to the lodge bar, have a few drinks around the fire and swap stories with the other groups that came in, again all real good people. Then the lodge would bring some appetizers a lot of times fresh caught, such as shrimp. Around 7 everyone would walk to the restaurant and dinner was served, then back to the bar for an hour or so and off to bed.........excited to start it all again the next day.

All in all just a great trip.


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That guy on the end is almost a foot shorter than you. That makes him like, three feet tall.

How many days were you there? That sounds like a rough schedule. How much fish were you allowed to bring home? There's some fine eating fishies there on that dock.

BKB

We were there, and fished 3 days. I brought home 80lbs of filets. I am standing on the rack.

Wow, that's a lot of fish. And you already had a ton in the freezer. I can store a bit of that for you if you need freezer space.

BKB

Wow that looks fun. The bounty of fish and scenery up there is almost beyond comprehension. I'd love to go back some day. Certainly you had a few more photos that just this one. Post'em up.

Big Sky, I do and I will. Right now I'm getting them all downloaded from the camera. You are right. I think Alaska is a place you have to go to truly appreciate the views/scenery.

Its on my bucket list. If for no other reason, just to see if I might run into Maggie O'Connell on an airplane.

BKB

Now THAT is a fishing trip!

As Big Sky said, bring on the rest of the photos!

Oh yeah, Maggie!

Hombre, What are the big pink fish?

Those look like red snappers to me, Trav. And scrumdiddlyumptuous too.

BKB

I've only been to Alaska two times ... but 200 times wouldn't be nearly enough.

Definitely on my bucket list.

BKB

Yellow eye rock fish

BKB I'm heading back next year

What does a trip like that run with airfare and everything? I'm guessing $4000-$5000?

BKB

your looking at $3,000-$3500 then what ever airfare is......so ya you're probably close. I used miles but from Seattle its only about a $300 ticket anyway

I have 5 freezers.

And a phone.

Just sayin'........

Bucky I would give you some...all you have to do is drive down and pick it up

down where? I thought you moved to Seattle or somewhere?

I'm confused too Bucky!!!

Why did he fly out of Illinois and not Seattle!!!
Explain please!!!

It appears he's a world traveler.

I ain't. I'm just in my 8th state this summer, and leaving tomorrow for 5 more.

Sorry yes I flew out of Seattle, a few of the guys I went with were from Chicago, and that was probably what I was thinking while multi-tasking. Things do all kind of run together at this point. I've been to lots of states and will be in several countries......head out to Istanbul in a few weeks, then on to Tanzania from there...things are getting pretty confusing just knowing where I'm at :D