Just got back from fishing in Alaska. Couldn't find the camera before I left, so it will be a few days before I have a few pictures to show. Kids probably hiding it. Little rascals were slinging mud up to their little brother's second story window tonight. Hard to keep up with them sometimes.
The trip up there wasn't inexpensive, but it was a whole lot more fun that I was prepared for. If you are familiar with the area, first day we set out to the west of Yakobi Island near the entrance to Cross Sound. Got a king salmon, halibut, and four rockfish on the first day. Probably there on the nicest day of the year. Calm wind, clear sky, snow capped peaks glaciers, surf breaking on the reef a mile away.
Second day I caught a large halibut. Probably about 175 pounds, felt like I was pulling up a picnic table from the depths. Lost that one though. The fish struggled about the time we were bringing it into the boat and the line snapped at about the time that it was being harpooned, lost both the fish, the line, and the harpoon which drifted away in the strong flood tide... eventually recovered that though.
Embarassing how many whales, sea lions, eagles and otters we saw up there. Seems to contradict this nagging message about extinction and preservation that is circulated and recirculated by mental enviroists. Policy that is designed for polluted Puget Sound and San Joaquin Bay apparently causes annihilation of the crab population in Cross Sound in Alaska. The dummies... One size doesn't fit all.
Alaska is starting to feel the sting of the economic downturn. Compared to same time last year, there are 40% fewer bookings in the area. Several lodges have closed. I went up there with my uncles, cousins, and my grandpa's brothers... we stayed at Elfin Cove Lodge and had a fine time there. Brought back 100 lbs of frozen fish.
