Each time I go back to Fish Alaska it’s an exciting time. No two trips are the same. We catch different types and amounts of fish on most trips and have a blast no matter what the weather is. This years trip found us basking in mostly good and sunny weather. Both our time in Juneau and at the fishing lodge was memorable. On this trip, I took time to see the tourist sites instead of just focusing on the fishing. Though Juneau was overcrowded with cruise ship tourists we still found quiet places to get away from the crowd. The Mt Roberts Tram took us high above Juneau on a perfect blue-sky day.
Juneau from Mt Roberts Tram
Our tram trip rewarded us with a 30-minute film/presentation by a well-spoken native woman who told us much about her people and the land we were visiting.She said it was rumored the Russians wept when they sailed back home after the sale of Alaska to America. I can see why they would have been sad to leave this majestic land.
Gastineau Channel from Mt Roberts
Back down to earth we traveled after our hike up on Mt Roberts. The crowds were thinned out and we had plenty of elbow room for a walk before retiring early. It’s no easy feat staying awake after come from four time zones away late at night. The float planes were still buzzing coming in from Taku Lodge at the float plane base in town. I never tire of watching the float planes land and take off.
Juneau floatplane
Earlier that day we had enjoyed the Juneau Food Tours “A Tour with Taste” where the favorite was Tracy’s King Crab Shack. Our stop at Tracy’s blessed us with two bowls of her king crab bisque, mini-crab cakes, and rolls.
Tracys crab shack long line
Crab bisque at Tracy’s King Crab Shack
The bisque was creamy, crabby decadence and we savored every slurp.
We spent the day seeing the shops, the new State of Alaska Museum, and restaurants in Juneau. The cruise ship activity flooded the streets with happy campers-cruisers and I shot a short video showing the mass transit.
Cruise ship madness in Juneau’s downtown
That second evening we were joined by brother Vic and sister Linda as we celebrated Vic’s birthday at The Hanger on the Wharf. It’s the third time we all have dined at The Hanger and the food and scenery were great as usual. The beauty of being able to get together at this amazing place was not lost on us and we toasted our good health, good fortune, and future fishing.
Grilled king salmon at the Hanger
Lucky for us we still had room for dessert and ordered the grasshopper pie and the mud pie. Neither survived the next ten minutes.
Delicious desserts at the Hanger in Juneau
We said goodnight and headed to our separate lodgings in Juneau knowing the next morning we’d head to Whaler’s Cove Lodge bright and early on a float plane called a Beaver. Though it was a cloudy morning we were happy the rains didn’t interfere with our trip or first day at the lodge.
On to great fishing
Whaler’s Cove Lodge
The first day at the lodge was for getting used to the area’s waters and how to fish. We caught a mere two halibut with our guide, Ethan, not counting a few trash fish. Never-the-less we had a great time and were happy the rains didn’t dampen the day.
our boat for the four-day trip, the Keta
Day two of fishing had me, Capt. Kurt at the helm charting our course for good fishing. We had a productive day and caught 10 halibut, we released 3 little ones, and caught herring, and a few odd fish like Linda’s skate. Catching a skate is like pulling up a cinder block from the bottom and one or two will wear out most fishermen if caught the same day from 200 plus feet deep.
Our catch of halibut and rockfish were hung for photos but since the ladies had left me and brother stood proudly for the picture.
a days catch
Cinder block flavored fish that Linda caught
Evenings were spent in the dining room with great food by Chef Greg and his sous chef. Wine flowed freely, but not so much that we were unable to stand the next days rigors of saltwater fishing. Time zoomed by and before we knew it the time to leave had come. One of the most memorable adventures was when sis and I went fishing after dinner in the Hobie pedal-powered kayaks.
Sis in kayak
I caught four fish and sis caught a couple as we pedaled around the waters in front of the lodge. It was a blast!
Me in kayak
All good things must end and we said a heartfelt farewell to the lodge and staff that made our trip a memorable one. With any luck, we will Fish Alaska again someday.
Evening on the Chatham Strait
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