I'm Home

Well after 2 weeks of slow fishing the Capt decided to head 200 miles north to Hoonah. That would have taken 3 days out of my allowed time and I opted to come home from Craig, Ak via Ketchikan. The last couple days were so dismal we tried to catch a few Halibut for me to bring home and we could not even get a Halibut to bite.
Like Ken told me before I left, "Joe You have seen the good the bad and the ugly." No matter what kind of luck we had this was one of the greatest experiences I have ever had. I have found something in life I would like to have a chance to experience again. Someday I hope to own my own Troller and explore all of Southeast Alaska.
The last week we travelled back to Sea Otter Sound and caught a few but not enough to keep Ken there. So We headed back south of Craig and fished off of Dall Island and had even less success. That was all Ken could handle and he decided to head north to Cross Sound and then on to Yakutat in August.
I wish him and Scruffy the best and thank them for the Fantastic time I had. Someday I hope Ken is my runnin buddy in the Troll Fleet. His knowledge of the Ocean and Fishery helped me see that this was a life and occupation I would enjoy doing 3 or 4 months a year. His runnin buddy Dave said it best to me one night on the dock. He said Joe "It's like waking up every morning on vacation, you are excited at what you might see and may experience." And he was right, I know it sounds crazy but I really did enjoy going to bed early and getting up at 3:30 or 4 every morning, because I was excited about what i might see, catch or experience that day. I felt completely at home living on the boat no matter how cramped it seemed. Hopefully someday I will be able to return.
Kenny showed me his journal from the year before and the Coho fishing was off the charts in mid July in 2009 and this year was an utter disappointment, but that's why they call it fishing.
When I left the float plane dock in Craig it was 49 degrees, when I got to Denver and Janet and my parents picked me up it was 101 degrees. That's when reality hit that my dream was surely over. I was ready to be home but I definitely could have spent the rest of the season up there.
Well if I ever do get a troller I would love to have some of my friends come up and spend sometime with me and see what this lifestyle is all about.
Thanks for reading and hope I did not bore you to death.
Thanks
Joe

I added a few pics

the bottom left picture looks like we are on a river and that is a 6 knot tide rip coming through a narrows area, we had boat running 1500 rpm which usually means you are going 7-9 kph and we were only creeping along at 1 knot per hour. Had to watch tress on bank to make sure you were even moving. The big King Salmon on pit table with Gaff behind is a big King, that gaff is 30 inches long and the fish is at least a foot longer. Then there is my buddy Scruffy, best fishing dog in S.E. Alaska. The 2 fish I am holding is a 20 and a 30 pounder loading the tote at Cannery. ANd the other pick is Rocky Pt. where Sea Otter Sound meets the Open Ocean. And a beautiful RARE (for this summer) sunrise, the float dragging behind the boat is called your float bag and there is a 50 pound cannonball under that float. That is how they keep all the 4 lines from tangling. They trail the boat 40-60 ft and off to the side 20-30 ft. And the picture of the fish on the deck was after a 15 minute flurry. I got to where I could clean a King in 1 minute and a Coho in 45 seconds.

only a few days left

Well 3 or 4 more days of fishing and its back to reality and hot summer weather. Although I am a little sick of this Liquid Sunshine and highs in the low 60's I am not ready for the heat.

Well the fishing the last four days has been sporatic. We had one great day and one decent evening and 2 days that were horrible. We ended up in 3 and a half days with just a few over 100 Cohos. Ken showed me his daily log from last year and he had 337 in 2 and a half days last year. One of the problems is the weather, the ocean where the big schools of cohos still are is windy and the seas have been 10-15 ft and Ken does not want to subject me to that which I do appreciate in some ways. Hopefully the weather will clear a little bit on my last 4 day trip out. But according to the weather report it does not look good, so we will be fishing inside I am sure. There has been some huge minus tides and Ken hopes it starts sucking some more Cohos into the inside bays.

The jellyfish have been just absolutely terrible in some places and everytime I wipe my face I inadvertently wipe a little bit of jelly slime off and get that wonderful burning sensation for 20-30 minutes. Saturday I was scrubbing some of the jellyfish off of the spoons and the wind hit and got a nice little shot right into my right eye. Wow what a great feeling that was. But Ken said all u can do is just wait it out.

Since King Salmon season ended we have not been getting up until 430 or 5, Ken calls it bankers hours. Spend a couple hours a night reading and writing in my journal.
Today Ken wants to try and get me to a spot so we can catch a few Halibut for me to take home. Since the fishing is so slow I guess it is ok, but I would rather fish for salmon.

While in Sea Otter Sound this past week there were a lot of whales and bunches of Sea Otters. I need a camera with a bigger zoom, as they are boat shy and when you get within 50 yards of them they dive and go off another 50 yards and just watch you. Saw one Dolphin this week and thats about it besides the birds. Lots and Lots of Bald Eagles and Divers and Sea Hawks and other waterbirds.

Life on the boat is kinda cramped but I love it. Its kinda like Camping.
This Coffeeshop is rocking like the ocean, its funny while your on the boat its just fine and you have your sea legs and when you get on land everything is moving like the ocean. Wierd!

Talk to you all soon, thanks to everyone again for making this possible for me.

Well I need to go get propane and a couple Halibut Jigs and get ready to head out. I will be back in less than a week. Anxious to see everyone.

Sopme pics before I leave. The "Mary" Kens running buddies boat tied up in Craig at the fish dock.

A sunrise where you could actually see the sun. 5 days so far I have seen the sun.

Passing a Coast Guard Cutter. They called us on the radio wanting to know our passing plans. Was kinda cool, Ken was worried they wanted to board and inspect. Thank Goodness that did not happen.

Look at these goofy looking fish, a Idio and some other kind of Rock Bass. The eagles love them.
Sorting and grading fish at the SPC Fish buying terminal.

Gotta Go Ken just called

Slow Week

Well it's tyhe 9th of July and King Salmon season was closed last night at midnight, they are on a quota system for summer Kings. Once the allotment is caught they close the season and give u one days notice. So we had to come to town and sell the fish we had caught the last 4 days. The first 2 days were pretty good but the last 2 were terrible. Once again the forecast for 10-15mph winds was way off and both days we tried fishing the ocean only to get beat up by the rough water. We tried some different inside waters but did no good.
Now Cohos will be our only target and we will be fishing calmer waters on the inside as not many Cohos have moved in close to the beach on the ocean. Will be nice to fish some calmer water that is for sure. I have all the white knuckles I want to have for awhile.

Saw a couple Killer Whales this week and not nearly as many Humpback Whales. There are not many Puffins where we have been fishing. 2 days ago we got into a nice school of Cohos and a couple SeaLions came in and spoiled our fun. They plucked a half a dozen off of our lines and Kenny got frustrated and pulled the gear. In the rough water its hard to tell when the fish hit and when a Sea Lion takes on it rattles the wire like a bow string getting released. Usually when you pull up the gear your missing the lure and sometimes they even bust the flashers off. When the get a fish they come to the surface and rip them apart. They fling them up in the air, shaking thier heads taking chunks of the fish till they have them where they can eat them. We tried Seal Bombs and other tactics but we could not shake them.

I caught another BIG King on Tuesday right before we quit for the day, probably 38-40 inches long and it had to wiegh close to 50 pounds. It was definitely a knee knocker, gets your adrenaline flowing.

Well the Capt just called and it is time to eat and get busy, heading back out for 5 days at least. Thanks again to everyone at home for taking up the slack while I am gone. I will pay all of you back somehow. I love this life and never tire of the beauty and in awe of the power of the ocean. The work is not that hard but the hours are long and I think I have lost another 10 pounds, I will be done to fightin wieght by the time I get home.
Hey Hunter I heard you were a STUD in the Kiddie Parade!! I miss u and Breckie andall my friends and family.

Gotta go Thanks everyone

Oh yeah ended up with about 80 fish last 4 days, Bad Bad bad

just a few pics

Ok a couple more things this is a pic of one of our anchorages in a cove on Noyes Island. A 30-35Pounder and a 15 pounder.

A mirrorlike cove with mountian and waterfall. The Gurdies on left are the hydraulic reels that bring up the gear.

A beautiful iceberg.

Scruffy and Capt. Kenny B.

Back to the boat I go check back in a week or so for more news.
This is Tom's favorite saying "I'm Livin The Dream"

The Opener

Well We fished 2 and a half days after the opener when a Big Southeaster blew in. Winds were supposed to blow 20-30 and have seas 10-12 ft. We got blown off about 10 yesterday morning (July3rd) Had a little bit of a scary situation happen 4 miles from shore, but nothing Capt. Ken could not handle, anyways lets just say my faith in God is stronger now than ever before. I will tell whole story later.
Since there was going to be no fishing for a day or two we have traveled to Craig, Ak to sell fish and resupply or fuel-water and fuel.

I am posting some pics of the fo'scle pronounced (folk sul which is really a forecastle) where my bunk and the galley is. It is not very modern or nice but it is sufficient and has produced many great meals and wonderful short nights of rest.

Our days now are starting at 3:30 a.m., at which time I wake up Ken and I start the coffee. He switches the batteries and starts the engine to get it warmed up. After the first pot of coffee is drank we head out to fish. Usually takes about 30 minutes to and hour from our anchorage to where we start fishing. Ken sets the gear the first thing, so things are going on in just the right order. We set out 4 wires that have anywhere from 6-12 spoons-hoochies or spoons on each wire. Then it is just a waiting game to watch for the springs (bobbers) Ken calls them to start bounce and shaking. Then we take turns running the gear. When you bring a Coho up up lift him on board and thump them in the head with a club right between the eyes to quiet them down. When you land a King you guide pull them to the side of the boat and knock them in the head with the backside of your gaff and then gaff them in the head and pull them aboard. Then when things are slow we dress them and put them in the slush bags in the hold and the monster tote on the deck. I just uploaded a pic of the springs that indicate you have a fish on, you see the bell hanging below it? When that thing is swinging erratically and bouncin you have a fish on. In rough seas it is sometimes hard to see them hit. And after staring at them for hours its easy to miss one, so we run the gear quite often anyway and at the same time we will clean off the jellyfish off the gear and lures.

Our days usually end around 7 p.m. so the days are long. And my neck and back ache but I am really enjoying myself. On the way to our anchorage in the evening I start supper and when we anchor its eat then crawl in your bunk and sleep. No trouble falling asleep thats for sure.

Hard to believe I am so confined and so far from the everyday conveniences and I feel at home and safe and secure. We listen to the radio alot but after you have heard fox news-cnn news and espn and fox sports 12 hrs a day it is just background noise. We listen to every Royals game as Ken is a Huge KC fan and KSU.

I am mad I just figured out I forgot to download pics of unloading fish this morning at the cannery. With the totes full of the beautiful fish. In the first 2 and a half days we caught 53 Kings and 120 Cohos.
Well maybe this evening I will get an hour and walk back up here to this little coffee shop and download some great pics of unloading the salmon.

Well I am sure I have bored you all enough.

I will add a couple more pics one is a HUGE Red Snapper I brought up, by the way we have caught a bunch of other kinds of fish like black bass-ling cod-bunches of Halibut and other species of rockfish I have never seen. We caught a Ling Cod so big that you could have easily put a gallon milk jug in his mouth without touching the sides, I should have got a pic of it but I am sure we will catch another one.

Once again a big thank you to all my family and crew at Myers for letting me live this dream adventure. I LOVE IT up here and someday hope to spend a bunch of time up here. Jodi can deckhand for me, and Dave Renken can come up and fix all the crap I will break.

My First Week

Well here is my home for the next month. The "Sidney" is a 40ft Power Troller built in 1907. She is one of the oldest boats in the Trolling Fleet, but after my first week I know she is a very seaworthy vessel. Our first week of trolling for King Salmon was very slow, we ended up with 13 Kings that weight 185 pounds or so. Everyone we have talked to has had the same kind of luck SLOW!!!

But I have seen and experienced things that I will never forget. The country is beautiful and the weather has been cool and wet. Typical S.E. Alaska weather. I don't have much time so I will just write a little.

Our days usually start about 330-4 a.m. We pull anchor and either start trolling or move to the next spot. I start a pot of coffee and eat a peanut butter sandwich while Kenny readies the boat. My job as deckhand is to run the gear, thread herring, sharpen hooks, cook and clean up around the boat.

We then troll till about 7 a.m. and then we take turns making breakfast, we had dungeoness crab omelets hashbrowns and toast all cooked on a little propane stove and Dickinson oil stove. I have only had 3 diet cokes all week, but have drank 6-8 cups of coffee everyday.

The second picture of my office!!!!!!! This is the pit. My Office. The next picture is a view from the deck at 3:45 a.m. When we pulled intot he first bay we going to fish Kenny said when you see this you know there is a GOD! And oh my is he right. It was beautifull. I can't wait to get home and show you all the pictures I have. I will write more later but I want to show you one more picture and that is ofa "SLUG" or a "Hammer Knocker" as Kenny Calls them a BIG mature King Salmon.

During the day there is a lot of slack time and I spend time running the boat and reading when it is slow. I also try and tidy up and clean stuff up and keep the Capt. in coffee. I am loving every minute of this adventure, although the fishing is slow there is always something to do and Kenny is a good and patient teacher. There are some many things you have to pay attention to. This is the best rehab in the world.

We are eating like kings and Kenny has loved everything I have cooked for him. Someday I would like to take all my family on an adventure like this. It is undescribable all that you see. I ate King Salmon for the first time night before last and it was amazing, so was the Halibut we caught and ate. OMG GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!
Our days usually end about 7 p.m. so it is a LONG day. And Kenny tells me once Coho Season opens I will not feeel like doing anything at the end of the day but sleep. I know I am kind of all over the place, but I only have a hour or so to get this done and I am new to this blog stuff. So bear with me.
Anyways to all my family and everyone at Myers, THANKS for letting me do this and please remain calm and work together and have fun and do your best and thats all I can ask. I know things are tough for you but maybe it is a good thing that you can now see just what I have to deal with on a day today basis. It aint easy I know, but just do your best. I love u all.

Dad-Joe

Sleepless in Seattle

Well after 3 nearly sleepless nites I am halfway to Petersburg. I guess I am feeling guilty about leaving, Nervous worried about all the responsiblility I have put on my family and partners and employees. But I would not have left if I did not have confidience in them. If i ever leave for an extended period again I will NOT assume that my help knows every step and detail of daily requirements at the store. Jodi and Annie both showed me I did a terrible job teaching them my job before I left. I apologize and next time we will spend way more time going over all the small details involved with running Myers.

Everyone keep Tom and Gwens spirits up and help them out all you can. I think when I get home everyone may have a better idea of what my job of runing the store involves. Its not that complicated its just you have to do it EVERY SINGLE DAY or you will dig yourself a hole. ANd if you guys dig a hole in 30 days I will fill it up.

While in the Denver Airport I met a 71 year old guy heading to Soldotna, Ak, one of my favorite places. We talked and he told me his sister lived up there and this was the second time he had gone to Alaska. I told him I had been there a few times and about the adventure I was about to go on. He said Man do it while you can. He said I worked 38 years for the same company and retired in Dec. He said now I have money and can do about whatever I want. But he said the problem is when your my age you can only do so much. Like My good friend Vernon Domoney

alwasy told me. "Joe do it when your young!"

I am gonna try and post a couple pics of the storm the day before I lefty the one is a BIG Funnel cloud that wanted to hit the ground but did not thank GOD! is northeast of Cawker a few miles.

Thanks again to my family and partners and staff at MYers. I love you all.

Joe

Bad News

I was all excited about posting pics and daily reports via tethering my cell phone to my laptop, because there is good cell phone coverage in the area we are going to be in. Problem is there is no Broadband service in Alaska. So I will be limited to when we go to town for fuel or to unload fish, and then find an internet cafe or local hotspots. But nevertheless I will post and download pics every chance I get. 2 more days and I will be on my way.
Talked to Kenny yesterday and he has been having very good luck on King Salmon. He laughed and said he can't wait to to see me gaff and Land my first King Salmon on the "Sidney"
So until I land in Petersburg this will probably be my last post for awhile.

7 Days till I leave

Well the last week I have been trying to get things lined up so I can leave. I still need Jodi and Annie to spend some time with me to get the hang of doing the books. Also need to make a schedule and try and make sure the 4th of July weekend and Celebration weekend are well covered. That should be a challenge.
I have been packing trying to eliminate all unnecessary items, Kenny said Pack LIGHT!! I will bring way to much I always do.
The anticipation is starting to peak and the next 7 days will creep by slowly I am sure.
Trying to figure out how to download pictures so I don't have to figure that out while I am up there.
Talked to Kenny a few Days and he says fishing has picked up some and that he and Scruffy we excited for me to get there.
When you people see the "Sidney" you might wonder about how seaworthy she is, but Kenny assures me she is a stable well built Vessel.
Well I am gonna go pack some more and try and eliminate a few more things

The Countdown Has Begun

44 years ago when I was about 5 years old and I discovered fishing. On a camping trip to Buffalo Creek with my family and Grandpa and Gramma Ramaker in tow is my first recollection of catching a fish. Armed with a Zebco 202 and either a can of worms or a jar of Salmon Eggs I hit the creek. I remember most of it like it was yesterday.
I approached the creek, studying the water, seeing a beautiful deep pool with the current blocked by some big logs. I remember the cast and watching the drift and feeling that distinctive tap tap as a small trout took my bait deep in that hole. I remember taking that one and only fish still on the line up to our camp. I was the proudest kid in Colorado, and knew then I was hooked on fishing for life. I remember my Dad laughing and I think maybe he was even proud, probably thinking it was a fluke but he would find out later that his son was a born fisherman. I also remember grandpa Ramaker frying that fish on a coleman stove. Dredged in flour and cooked in butter. It was great. Maybe thats where I got my love for cooking.
My Father still reminds me that when we arrived at a new camp site, I always found a way to slip away and be fishing while my Brothers helped set up the trailer. It was a blessing to have a father that loved camping and fishing. We had some awesome fishing trips together and he was responsible for introducing us to the trout catchin lure in the world the famous Koops family secret weapon, the "PANTHER MARTIN" Spinner.
So after becoming addicted to fishing, I became addicted to reading every outdoor magazine that was available in the late 60's and 70's. Reading all the magazines cover to cover. Learning and keeping up with all the new trends, tips and techniques in the fishing world. And anticipating Satuday and sunday to Watch Kurt Gowdy and the American Sportsman on TV. And dreaming of being able to travel to those exotic and remote places in the world where the fishing was the best. I spent so many hours daydreaming and reading stories about fishing, and hanging out in the fishing section at "Dave Cook" and "Gart Brothers" and every other Sporting Goods store I ever had the chance to go to. All I ever wanted was to go fishing.
During my childhood we spent most of the summer in Kansas up on my Uncle Chucks Farm. And this was another great fishing adventure. From going to the pond with Grandpa Koops with his LONG Bamboo rod stickin out the back window of the old Chevy Belair, to runnin up and down Oak Crik with my all time childhood favorite fishin Buddy Steve Renken. My life in the summer was to see how many times we could go fishing! When the folks asked us to help them work on the farm, we would do our best but still it seemed they always said why don't you two go find something else to do. I guess we weren't very good workers. LOL We were the "Bullhead Kings"

Just like goin to school, fishing has it levels and I was always trying to get to the next level. Bullheads to Bass - Worms to Lures -Beetle Spins to Plastic worms.-Spincasting to Baitcasting-spin fishing to Fly Fishing-paying a guide to being a guide- fishing for Fun to Tournament fishing- (I won the first Walleye tournament I ever fished) Bass Tournaments to Walleye Tournaments-Fresh Water to Saltwater- Colorado to Alaska-Kansas to Canada-Hawaii to Cabo
Now another new chapter in my fishing history is about to begin, and I am back to the way I felt when I was a kid. I have read every book, every article I can find about Commercial Trolling for Salmon in S.E Alaska. After reading and talkin to several people in the industry I am excited about having a chance to live a dream I have had inside me for 25 years. The people involved intrigue me, thier lifestyle, work ethic and most of all thier OFFICE!!!
I hope I have some time during my trip to write and post photos for all my friends and family to enjoy.
I guess I should explain what put this Alaska Dream into my head.

25 Years ago When I started working at Myers Sporting in Downs, Ks I became great friends with a lot of the local guys. One of those guys and now one of my best friends in the world is Brad Latta, and he is the main reason that I am taking this trip. After listening to Brad and a few of his buddies telling stories about Commercial Fishing in Alaska during their summers after High School and during College, I have always had a urge and desire to the same thing. So 25 years later another of Brad's Friends Kenny Baird has invited me to spend the summer in S.E. Alaska fishing aboard the "Sidney". Kenny has been fishing for the past 30 years and I told him I would love to join him for the summer, but that I could only go for a month. Kenny says he knows I am gonna love it in one sentence and in the second sentence he says you will wanna go home after the first week. He says it might look like a Romantic Job, but it is LONG Hours-total lack of facilities.(Bathroom-shower-nice mattress) Aint happenin. (Bucket-dirty sink-hard bunk) Happenin. 70-90 % chance of rain everyday.

For those of you wanting to know, this aint like the "Deadliest Catch" We will be fishing most of the time just a few miles from shore. And at night will go into protected coves to anchor. That being so there are also many dangers and also risk involved. Going with Kenny a 30 yr Veteran I feel safe but understand there is some risk. I am gonna try and do something I am not used to. Thats being careful and watching everything I do to make sure I stay safe and dry.


As I get ready to head to Petersburg Alaska I have decided to set up a Blog so I can share some of my trip with my family and friends. Hopefully in the month I spend on the "Sidney" I will have a chance to download a bunch of photos and maybe a short video or 2 also. I Leave June 21st from Denver via Seattle-Juneau-Petersburg, Alaska. 18 days till my big adventure begins and I am already packing and buying things for the trip. More to follow