A Week in Alaska, 2016, Part 2

After a quick breakfast we were off to the salt for our first day of fishing.  The rest of the days we were on our own but for the first day out Frank showed us the ropes.  May is early for prime time fishing, most of the other folks visiting were hunting bear, but there was rumor that there were a few kings in the Cove.  We started out trolling and it wasn’t long before the first takedown.  By the time I had the rod out of the holder is was definitely Fish On! and that thing was peeling line.  After a bit of a fight and some nice runs we chased it down with the boat in reverse, and the first fish of the trip was in the well.  In a few minutes we’re set up and trolling again and within a few more minutes we have two more quick kings to the boat.  We needed one more for a limit but the bite seemed to turn off with the tide change so it was off to Tide Island to look for halibut.  It’s about a 45 minute cruise north past some spectacular scenery, islands, snow-covered mountains and blue water in every direction.

Sea Otters
Sea Otters

Jigging for halibut in 150 feet of water is an arm workout for sure.   (more…)

Continue ReadingA Week in Alaska, 2016, Part 2

A Week in Alaska, 2016, Part 1

It takes a while to get from Bend, Oregon to Coffman Cove Alaska.  There’s a drive, a flight (2 actually), a ferry ride, a cab ride, a ferry ride, and another drive.

Ketchikan Arrival
Ketchikan Arrival

Upon arrival at Ketchikan you sure don’t feel like you’ve gotten away from it all.  There are huge cruise ships docked so their customers can dump some money into the company stores and bring home their unique piece of Alaska.   (more…)

Continue ReadingA Week in Alaska, 2016, Part 1