Well it has been awhile since my last post yet again but I am here to update this again and blog about an amazing trip to Alaska with my dad. June 19th which was the Sunday after I took my last final of spring quarter in school Dad and I left early that morning to drive to Sea-Tac airport to catch a flight to Alaska. We had been planning on doing this for about 5 years now and this year finally we got to go. We were headed to Petersburg Alaska and Majestic Eagle Lodge. (www.majesticeaglelodge.com) Well for anyone that hasn't flown up to Petersburg the only way to get there is via the "milk run" besides the 2 day ferry ride. We left Seattle and flew to Ketchikan which was about a 2 hour flight on a boeing 737 400 series. A short stop there and were were in the air again and headed to Wrangell which was a grand total of 24 minutes in the air before touchdown on a short runway and a pretty hard stop by the pilot. Wow as we were sitting in Wrangell waiting to leave to Petersburg I was looking at the mileage in a magazine between the places telling dad this next hop has to be really short. Well the flight from Wrangell to Petersburg is a grand total of 15 minutes, no drink service on that one. They literally get high enough to get through the mountain pass then you are on approach to Petersburg. We land in Petersburg and there are no jetways (there were only two in Ketchikan) and we basically parallel park next to the "airport" The airport is one building that contains ticketing area, baggage check, security, greeting area, and baggage return which is basically a hole in the wall with some pieces of rubber hanging down where they slide your bags through. We walked down the stairs and into the building.
In the waiting area we saw two people holding a sigh for Majestic Eagle Lodge and we said hi then Wendy came and said hi and we knew her as she is the one we booked with at the Portland sportsman show and the owner of the lodge. Cathia and Tommy were the next two we met and then James. Once our Bags came and we identified them James quickly took them to the waiting vehicle outside for us and loaded everything up. This was the first clue to dad and I we wouldn't have to do to much up here except fish and relax. Dad and I rode with Cathia and Wendy in one vehicle while Tommy and James had our bags in another vehicle. We took the scenic route to the town of Petersburg and drove along the Wrangell Narrows where dad and I got our first look at the water we would be fishing in. It was so smooth. On the way to the town we passed Eagles Roost Park where a huge tree used to stand that many Bald Eagles used to hang out in. Interesting story about that was last year that tree fell and when the went to clean it up they found 43 dog and cat collars in it. Don't let your small dog or cat out I guess. Anyway we went into town where we stopped to get our fishing license and King Stamp. While we were there dad and I decided to get soda to have at the lodge so he got a 12 pack of Pepsi and a 12 pack of Diet Coke grand total $17.00. Wow!!! Anyway we loaded back into the vehicle with Wendy and Cathia and headed towards the landing to get a boat to cross the narrows and get to the lodge. We got to the landing and went down to the dock and got on a boat which turned out to be out boat for the week I think but it was really nice Aluminum with a 50 horse outboard and 6 horse kicker motor. Turns out those were the boats we fished out of all week. Well I got to drive the boat over to the lodge because if Wendy drove she was then a guide. It had been awhile since I operated a boat but it all came back pretty quick. The short run from the landing to the lodge was fun and we found out that we just put the boat on the beach and a pulley system is used to secure the boats in deep enough water so they don't get beached and to pull them back to the beach to board. It was a pretty cool little system. When we saw the lodge it was like the Hilton sitting next to Motel 6. Majestic Eagle Lodge was beautiful and the lodge next door, well not so much. We got off the boat and headed up the beach to the lodge. Shortly after we got there James, Tommy, and Cathia arrived in the other boat with all the bags and brought them up to the lodge. Since we were the first ones there we got to pick which cabin we wanted so Cabin 3 (out of 4) became our home away from home for the next week. The time after that was spent making sandwiches for lunch and going through orientation with James about how to fish for Kings and Halibut up there in Alaska. Little bit later that evening dad and I went out and trolled for Kings for a bit but no luck but we came back to a fantastic dinner with all the crew as we were the only clients there until tuesday. It was fun to sit down with everyone and get to know them and tell fish stories while eating dinner. Shortly after dinner it was bedtime for dad and I as it had been a long day.
Monday gave us the opportunity to get up to an awesome breakfast and then we followed the crew from the lodge the 11 mile run down the narrows out to Sumner strait. There we took a left turn and ran for awhile longer past Woodpecker Cove and on to Station Island where we anchored in 60 feet of water to chase Hali's. Well a couple hours of awesome fishing but no catching resulted in pulling anchor and following the crew up the strait past the entrance to the narrows and to the flats around Level Island. You know you are there by not only the depth but also the 1000's of Crab pots around there. Just troll into the middle of them and anchor up. Again another few hours of awesome fishing but no catching. The crew from the lodge let us know they were headed to another hole they wanted to try but dad and I decided to head towards the narrows and troll for Chinook again. We headed that way and trolled for a couple of hours without any luck and so we headed back to the lodge. No fish but we were sunburned it was a beautiful 70 degrees and no wind that day. Bout 25 minutes later the crew from the lodge arrived whipped but no fish. Oh well the weather was gorgeous. We got revenge on Halibut by having Halibut Fish and Chips that night!! lol Again another dinner with the crew from the lodge and another great time of stories and "fish tales" Talked to James that night about a morning King bite is what he thought. He told us where to troll so dad and I decided it was the early morning bite on tuesday for a few hours then back to the lodge for breakfast.
Tuesday saw dad and I up at 5 and on the water by 5:20 trolling right where James told us to. About 40 minutes in almost 6 am dads pole goes off with what turned out to be a really nice King. I even tried to help it escape by hitting it in the head with the net but dad was determined not to lose it and into the net it went and into the boat where it got a club on the head for its trouble. It had to have run at least 4 times but dad was to stubborn to lose it. Well a few more passes through the area again caught us some seaweed but no more kings so we headed back to the lodge. There we had a great breakfast and talked about heading to station island for some Hali's. Dad and I hung around the lodge for awhile then decided to head out for Hali fishing. On the way thru the narrows it started to rain on us but we continued on (whats a little rain). Well we got to station island and anchored up and looked toward level island and saw the squall we had just come through, oh well past us now we thought. A few hours of no Halibut we decided to pull anchor and head toward the Stikeen River to try for Kings. well we never really got there before the next big squall hot and dad and I decided to turn tail and head for the lodge. Fog, Rain, and wind resulted in some rough water by inside passage standards (2.5 foot waves) plus it was the first day for Gill netters so we had to go around a few of those. The long wet run back to the lodge was just that long and wet but there was warm clothes and hot chocolate there when we got back. It was awesome. Tuesday saw the arrival of two other guests and again a great dinner with everyone including crew. There was a report of the lodge next door coming home with lots of halibut and they went to Level Island so that is where dad and I decided wednesday would be spent.
Wednesday was up at around 5:30 into the lodge to have some cereal and make a few sandwiches to eat while fishing and in the boat headed for Level by 6 or so. We were anchored and fishing about 6:45 just us and a few 100 crab pots. At about 8:30 dads pole got the knock knock from a halibut who stole his bait. So quickly he rebaited and down to the bottom again. Soon after FISH ON!! It was a fun little battle that resulted in a nice little halibut being the target of the first ever halibut harpoon shot I ever made. Well wore out the Halibut came to the side of the boat where he was gaffed and brought aboard. BONK BONK with the club and that halibut was done. About 19lbs not huge but tasty none the less. About 10 minutes after dads fish is in the boat my pole does the Hali dance and it is FISH ON!! It was another epic battle and a successful harpoon shot by dad and a few mins later one really tired Hali. Dad tried to gaff it with no luck and it wanted to run again. I got it back and one more failed gaff I told him use the net. ( I think it was payback for his salmon) A nice job with the net and a few Bonks with the club we had twin hali's on the floor of the boat. 9am we are killing them. (so we thought) A few hours go by and nothing the bite had turned off. then my pole does a little hali dance and buried and I thought wow this is big. For awhile I thought it was the bottom then it started to peel line.. WOW I had a fight on my hands. Dad and I were figuring 100 plus pounds easy. well after bout 20 mins a huge Skate came to the surface 4 to 5 feet wide and easily over 100 lbs. BUMMER! Oh well the fight was awesome. We cut the leader and to the deep it went again after a pic while still in the water. Two more Skates later none as big as the first it was time to head to the lodge. Beautiful run back and we were met on the beach by Tommy and Cathia who took the Halis out of the boat and hung them while I went and got the camera. James came down and there were high fives all around. Watched James fillet the halibut and then met the last group that had arrived. Another great dinner and bed time again.
Thursday saw another up early day and out to Level Island again. We figured this time if the bite turned on and we got one or two we would head in instead of staying out all day. Well it was really slow till about 10:30 when my pole bounced a few times then nothing. I figured the thief halibut had taken my bait. Picked up the pole and started to reel and then figured out he was there. I got it to the surface pretty quick where it rolled over and played dead. Dad got the net and netted it and then it woke up. well it took quite a few bonks on the head to calm it down but it was the triplet of the two we had gotten Wednesday. Figuring that was the bite as I had two good hits and we saw one caught in front of us we pulled anchor and headed in. Oh forgot to mention we hooked a crabpot with the anchor that day so had to pull not only the anchor but the crabpot too. ugh! Thursday night like usual was a great dinner and while all the other guests went to bed dad and I hung out with the crew on the porch of the crew quarters and had what Cathia called Jello shots. I think it was jello colored rum but oh it was good.
Friday turned out to be a lazy day as we were both tired and run down from both fishing and possibly the "jello shots." I caught a ride into town with Wendy and a few other guests to go Herring fishing and so I could find something for Liz. I was referred to Diamantes in town. Not sure if it was my favorite shop but I am pretty sure I was there favorite customer at least that day. With my wallet considerably lighter it was back to herring fishing which I had done some of before I shopped. There is a spot outside the Petersburg marina where one of the canneries in town has a pipe the puts all the fish guts back into the water and 1000's or herring gather there. We would cast small hooks into the swarm and sometimes get 6 herring at a time. We even hooked a few Dolly Varden and a few flounder. That was truly feel good fishing and catching as the 6 of us caught well over 200 herring and a few Dollies. Back to the lodge where dad and I hung out the rest of the day. What an awesome place to stay. Friday night dinner was Halibut "Beer Bits" as she called them same thing as monday night. SO GOOD!
Saturday was the day to leave and it was sad. While it was nice to be going home it was sad to leave such a wonderful place. Wendy and the crew run a top notch lodge up there. Saturday breakfast was awesome like usual and we all loaded into the boats and headed into town to get the fish packed to be sent home. Said goodbye to Tommy at the lodge and James and Cathia at the fish packing place. Wendy dropped us off at the airport about 45 mins before our flight and we said the last goodbye there promising ourselves we will go back.
There are so many other great stories of that week but to write them all down would take all day.
To the Crew at Majestic Eagle Lodge:
Wendy "the boss"
James "the fish surgeon"
Cathia "jello shot master"
Tommy "Token Red"
If you guys read this thanks for everything it was amazing! You all run a top notch lodge and we couldn't have asked for anything more. Wendy Your lodge is beautiful and we will be back again hopefully this time with the wife. James your enthusiasm for fishing is just awesome and i enjoyed talking with you it was fun. Cathia and Tommy you two are awesome couldn't have asked for better service from both of you!
