Alaska Adventure
4/21/2006 11:37:39 AM by Scott Snay
Fishing just ‘for the halibut’
It is said that in Sitka the salmon are so large that the negatives of the pictures weigh two pounds. While this could be construed as a bit of an exaggeration, what’s not is the fact that this pristine site, located on the western side of Baranof Island, is home to world class fishing. The blue green waters of the Pacific are home to halibut, lingcod and rockfish, as well as king and coho salmon.
Accessible only by plane or boat, Sitka is rich in history. Home of the capital during Russia’s reign of Alaska, Sitka was also the site of the transfer of power after the U.S. purchased the state for a mere $7.2 million in 1867. “Seward’s Folly” is now the sport fisherman’s dream destination.
How to get there?
Getting to Sitka requires a bit of travel, not unexpected for a destination that’s a long way from the mainland. All trips to Sitka, like grunge music, begin in Seattle. Merijo Attong, travel and destinations director of the Miami based Island Fishing Adventures, describes her protocol for anglers traveling to Sitka:
“From Seattle, my clients fly into Anchorage via Alaskan Air or Horizon Air. After arriving in Anchorage, we arrange transportation to Sitka. A member of the lodge staff will meet you on the first night to assist with luggage and transportation to the outfitters mainland cottage, and we arrange a shuttle to and from the Channel Club, which has the best steaks and seafood in town. One hazard of a trip like this is avoiding a few extra pounds you’ll put on during your stay.”
Upon arriving in Sitka via a local air carrier, anglers are whisked onto boats at 6 a.m. for a full day’s fishing. Luggage is tucked away, and gets to join you later in the day at no extra charge. Due to the early start, the crew thoughtfully provides hot coffee, croissants, Danish, and fresh fruit. Sitka’s fishing season runs mid-May through mid-September, and depending on your stay, you can target individual species. May through July boasts outstanding fishing for king and silver salmon, while the halibut, rockfish, and lingcod remain steady year round.
Feeding of guests is just as steady as the careful feeding of fish, albeit without hooks. Lunch is served daily on the boats, followed by hors d’oeuvres at 4:30, and the dinner bell rings every day at 6. The typical menu includes fresh salmon, halibut, Dungeness crab, potato dishes, fresh baked bread, salad, and a variety of local fresh vegetables. The dessert menu is impressive as well, featuring cheese cakes, double chocolate cake, lemon berry cake, ice cream, blackberry pie, and a cup of hot Joe to wash it down. Clearly, the Atkins Diet craze hasn’t spread to the northern latitudes, which is how the Sitkans prefer it to remain.
Salmon Highway
Sitka is positioned among a vast array of protected harbors, channels, and inlets, which translates to very few days that can’t be fished. A large salmon hatchery exists in the area, providing such an abundance of trophy Salmon that the area has earned the nickname “Salmon Highway.” While anglers are permitted to keep salmon, there is a daily bag limit that is strictly observed in order to maintain the health of the salmon fishery. Limits vary based upon the species, and all the guides are familiar with the current regulations. Tackle is provided by the lodge, but anglers are welcome to bring their own.
The typical Alaskan salmon rig consists of 25-pound spin tackle, with a three-foot section of 40-pound shock leader. All that’s needed for salmon is a 4/0 live bait hook, such as a Mustad 9175 style, baited with a plug of herring. For halibut a sturdier outfit is employed. Shimano TLD 15 conventional reels loaded with 80-pound braided line and circle hooks are the rule. Some of the halibut tip the scales in excess of 150 pounds, and stand-up gear is needed to pull these giant doormats off the bottom.
Getting your catch home
The lodge handles processing your catch, and a three-day trip will yield 100 pounds of processed fish, while the four-day trip includes 140 pounds. All fish are cleaned, vacuum-bagged, processed, loaded in coolers, and then sent ahead to the airport to await your departure on the day of your return flight to the mainland. Trips can be customized for any angler’s particular needs or timeframes, and the season is just starting up north. Just bring your appetite and some spare clothes, as the rest is already covered.
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quicksplash IF YOU GO A 3 day 4 night package includes fishing licenses, meals, guide service, and foul weather gear, and costs $2,050.00 per person. Daytime temperatures reach the low 70’s, and night time temperatures reach the low 40’s, so be sure to pack jeans, long johns, and flannel shirts. Airfare, arrival night dinner, Sitka sales tax, and gratuities are not included. For more information on a Sitka fishing adventure, call Merijo Attong at Island Fishing Adventures in Miami at 800-950-3467, or via email at MJ@Islandfishingadventures.com
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