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Doug Kern from Fishermans Landing Tackle hoists this huge 45 pound white sea bass he caught on a trip this week with Rock Cod Rick Maxa ...

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                                                Annual Sitka Trip a Good Habit

by Gus Klein

Habits…..We all have them. Some are bad and some are good.  After making the trek to Sitka for the second time in two years, I feel like this has become habitual in a good way.

Honestly, I can’t wait to schlep all the way back to Alaska a year from now to have a good chance of catching a true trophy fish.

Whether it’s a king salmon or a big halibut…lingcod or an O.F. (a local moniker for the yellow eye rockfish), any angler has a shot at catching the fish of a lifetime while visiting one of the most beautiful places on earth.

Eagles are soaring just about everywhere.  Whales leaping out of the water, sea otters, deer, and bears are espied. Actually, the bear thing I think is something the locals made up (haven’t seen any signs of bears in two years).

The first time I visited Kingfisher Charters last year, I was very impressed by the lodge’s friendly staff and accommodations. This year, I knew from the moment I settled into my seat on the Alaska Airlines jet that the rest of the trip is on “auto-pilot.”

I know there will be someone meeting me at the airport that will drive me directly to the lodge (via a quick stop at the House of Liquor for general provisions).  I know that when I am enjoying a Martini in our living room at 5:00 someone will bring a platter of hors d’oeuvres to enjoy before sitting down for dinner at 6:00.  Dinner includes everything from soup to dessert. I know we will be served a delicious meal at dinner.

Auto-pilot is turned on again in the morning with breakfast being served at 5:00. If you are a habitual creature like I am, you can get yourself a cup of coffee as early as 4:00.

Fresh fruit, cereal, juice, muffins plus a hot breakfast are all available daily. I really like breakfast!

OK it’s now 5:45 and we are being shuttled to the harbor (about a 10-minute ride) for a full day of fishing. By 6:15 – 6:30 we are under way.

Salmon fishing was good this year for everyone. I fished with Steve Pinard, Tom Ball, and…..oh yeah a guy named Pete Gray. Fishing conditions ranged from brutal to almost descent. The elements didn’t stand in the way of this quartet of moochers though.  We were there to have fun as well as to catch fish. We did both.

We worked hard that first day for our limits and returning to the lodge felt kind of rewarding until Rockcod Rick, the Codfather, John and Blaine showed up.  Each of those guys caught halibut that weighed well over 100 pounds. My roommate Blaine, a first timer to Sitka, nailed a 150 pound hali. Good job, Blaine! (I hate you!)

 Rockcod (Rick) is the perfect person to represent “Let’s Talk Hook-up” because he not only talks the talk, he delivers the goods. He’s the sport’s “franchise player” and I ‘m glad to have him on our team. Every day of he out-fished everybody.  MVP! MVP! MVP! (Hate him, too!)

Next year though, when I habitually make the return trip to these pristine waters I know one more thing. As we get under way for another three days of fishing, I’m going to do my best to kick Rockcod’s (hali) butt!

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