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