Marking off a life lister this summer….Alaska

  • kooty
    Keymaster
    1 hour 15 mins to the Pond
    Posts: 18101
    February 22, 2010 at 9:49 pm #1266230

    Recently got invited on a dream trip to Alaska. Wasn’t sure I’d be able to swing it this year, but the war department has given final approval(with stipulations of course). I fly into Ketchikan June 15th. We load up on the big boats and head out the next morning. We fish for 5 days, and fly home on the 21st. I’m going with two of my oldest and best friends. They aren’t much for fisherman but they make up for it in BS and cards.

    Sadly I’ve had to cancel on all my other “little” trips this year. I feel bad, but I’m not sure I’ll ever get an opportunity like this again. Certainly not with this group at this price.

    So, who has been to Ketchikan in mid-June? We are targeting halibut and other deep water species primarily. However, it sounds like we tow around 20 foot fishing boats if we want to make a run at the salmon. Details are sketchy at best. I just need to show up with boots and rain gear I’m told. All gear, lodging, food and drinks are provided.

    Can’t wait to see this weather start warming!!

    matt_grow
    Albertville MN
    Posts: 2019
    February 22, 2010 at 9:53 pm #844969

    Alright this is the 5th time in 2 weeks I’ve needed the *Jealous* Gremlin.

    Right in between these two *Jealous*

    t-ellis
    Colorado Springs, CO
    Posts: 1316
    February 22, 2010 at 10:02 pm #844974

    Kooty, Glad to hear you took this offer it is surely to be a trip of a lifetime!!

    Take plenty of pictures to share please.

    Brad Juaire
    Maple Grove, MN
    Posts: 6101
    February 22, 2010 at 10:47 pm #844994

    Glad to hear that you are going to make the trip to Alaska Kooty! I’m betting it’s a good decision that you will never forget!

    Pat Howard
    Sparta Wi
    Posts: 1523
    February 22, 2010 at 10:57 pm #844999

    Sounds like a dream trip forsure

    little-t
    Plymouth WI
    Posts: 314
    February 22, 2010 at 11:26 pm #845009

    Alright Kooty!! I’ve been fortunate enough to go twice. Believe me you will absolutely LOVE it! If possible take a video camera along. Last time my brother shot about 45mins worth and we all wish he would have shot more.

    chomps
    Sioux City IA
    Posts: 3974
    February 22, 2010 at 11:36 pm #845012

    sounds like fun, i wonder if the sheep are pretty in Alaska?

    impalapower
    Madison, WI
    Posts: 939
    February 23, 2010 at 12:39 am #845029

    You may want to bring some clothing for 55 degree weather. I was to Seward and the Kenai in Alaska in early to mid june. Costal Alaska is the best place on earth. Temps are cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter compared to what it is further inland. Go to these mom and pop resturants and you’ll get too much food. The Halibut is better there fresh than it is here at the store. It can be rather expensive in Alaska, but it is well worth it. The people are genuine, you couldn’t ask for a better place on earth. Have fun on your trip.

    big_g
    Isle, MN
    Posts: 22432
    February 23, 2010 at 12:40 am #845031

    pretty scared Have fun Kooty Like said…lots of pics please

    big G

    sauger
    Hastings ,MN
    Posts: 2442
    February 23, 2010 at 12:52 am #845034

    So does that mean no sturgeon x or opener??????????????

    esoxhunter
    Posts: 44
    February 23, 2010 at 12:53 am #845036

    Kooty, congratulations on the Life Lister scratch-off this year! I have not been to Ketchikan, but have made two trips to Sitka. We targeted halibut & salmon. Halibut involved an hour run to 300-400 foot depths. Be sure to take Dramamine along! I found it best to take some at bedtime the night before going out, then take some more first thing in the morning.

    While targeting halibut, we also caught ling cod, yellow eye (rockfish) and sea bass.

    Our salmon fishing was done much closer inland, within 2-3 miles of shore and involved trolling.

    Scenery is spectacular…plan on taking lots of photos!

    Good luck and have a great trip!

    -Chuck

    kooty
    Keymaster
    1 hour 15 mins to the Pond
    Posts: 18101
    February 23, 2010 at 12:55 am #845038

    Quote:

    sounds like fun, i wonder if the sheep are pretty in Alaska?

    Aren’t they everywhere?

    John Schultz
    Inactive
    Portage, WI
    Posts: 3309
    February 23, 2010 at 1:37 am #845055

    Quote:

    Quote:

    sounds like fun, i wonder if the sheep are pretty in Alaska?

    Aren’t they everywhere?

    Somehow, I expect it wouldn’t matter to you if they weren’t.

    kooty
    Keymaster
    1 hour 15 mins to the Pond
    Posts: 18101
    February 23, 2010 at 1:55 am #845061

    Sturgeon is for sure out. Opener is up in the air, especially since Matt and I are boatless. May just have to take a year off.

    chris-tuckner
    Hastings/Isle MN
    Posts: 12318
    February 23, 2010 at 3:18 am #845091

    Quote:

    Sturgeon is for sure out. Opener is up in the air, especially since Matt and I are boatless. May just have to take a year off.

    Can your uncles still go and tell stories about you?

    burbob
    Hastings,MN
    Posts: 364
    February 23, 2010 at 3:53 am #845108

    Quote:

    Sturgeon is for sure out.


    Scared

    I’ll consider it a forfeit and take the win for round 2

    Sounds like a great trip to Alaska

    Bob Bowman
    MN
    Posts: 3544
    February 23, 2010 at 1:19 pm #845160

    Congrats Buddy

    I would not have passed that trip up either. I am excited for ya

    bret_clark
    Sparta, WI
    Posts: 9362
    February 23, 2010 at 1:47 pm #845171

    Way cool stuff Kooty

    fish_any_time
    Champlin, MN
    Posts: 2097
    February 23, 2010 at 1:58 pm #845174

    Here is a teaser for you from our two week trip, August 2008 in S.E Alaska…

    Have fun!!!





    big_g
    Isle, MN
    Posts: 22432
    February 23, 2010 at 3:21 pm #845198

    Quote:

    Sturgeon is for sure out. Opener is up in the air, especially since Matt and I are boatless. May just have to take a year off.

    What do you guys need a boat for ???? Oh yeah, somewhere to put Sharon…

    big G

    Dean Marshall
    Chippewa Falls WI /Ramsey MN
    Posts: 5854
    February 23, 2010 at 3:22 pm #845200

    Dont wimp out on this one Mr! A trip of a lifetime!

    sauger
    Hastings ,MN
    Posts: 2442
    February 23, 2010 at 3:36 pm #845209

    Quote:

    Sturgeon is for sure out. Opener is up in the air, especially since Matt and I are boatless. May just have to take a year off.

    What do you two need a boat for anyway???? Have fun buddy! We will miss ya…….a little

    mplspug
    Palmetto, Florida
    Posts: 25026
    February 24, 2010 at 4:10 pm #845671

    Quote:

    We are targeting halibut…


    Color me jealous! I’ll take a few steaks off your hands if the freezer won’t wold all the meat. I don’t care much for ocean fishing or the fish you can catch in them, however Halibut are the exception!

    kooty
    Keymaster
    1 hour 15 mins to the Pond
    Posts: 18101
    February 24, 2010 at 7:08 pm #845747

    I order halibut frequently, but it will be “weird” having fresh. If I have a bunch extra, I’ll be sure to share with my Viking fan brethren.

    farmboy1
    Mantorville, MN
    Posts: 3668
    February 24, 2010 at 7:14 pm #845754

    The Halibut is good. We had to come up with different ways to cook it we had so much.

    Alaska is unlike anywhere else you have ever been. The pure beauty takes your breath away. I woke up every morning, looked out the window, and just took a couple minutes to take it all in. EVERYWHERE you have ever been looks like a piece of crap in comparison.

    I cannot wait to get back. You will have a blast. Team that up with good friends and family, and it can only get better. Try to get in some river fishing is you can, if only for a day, and take lots of pictures.

    We will miss your fine conversation Sturgeon fishing

    Whiskerkev
    Madison
    Posts: 3835
    February 24, 2010 at 8:44 pm #845790

    I have a friend who went to Alaska once on a trip and never came back.

    mplspug
    Palmetto, Florida
    Posts: 25026
    February 24, 2010 at 10:53 pm #845860

    Quote:

    I order halibut frequently, but it will be “weird” having fresh. If I have a bunch extra, I’ll be sure to share with my Viking fan brethren.


    The first time I had Halibut I cooked it on the grill without really knowing anything about halibut as table fare. I got a ‘steak’ with the one bone in the middle. I could not believe how good tasting and moist it was, without being oily. I need to try and grill it on the cedar plank next. Damn I am hungry, I got to go home now.

    impalapower
    Madison, WI
    Posts: 939
    February 25, 2010 at 1:46 am #845931

    Quote:

    EVERYWHERE you have ever been looks like a piece of crap in comparison.

    Funny you should mention that. I was really crabby for a few weeks after getting back from Alaska. Boom boom car stereos, traffic, people talking on cell phones, even just people in general, all of this was a pain to deal with. The landscape was ugly to look at when I got back.

    If you were to live in such a great place like Alaska, you wouldn’t want to vacation anywhere else. My wife still says she will move there if I want to go.

    farmboy1
    Mantorville, MN
    Posts: 3668
    February 25, 2010 at 2:10 pm #846085

    Quote:

    If you were to live in such a great place like Alaska, you wouldn’t want to vacation anywhere else. My wife still says she will move there if I want to go.

    WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR

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