The crab industry boom of the 70’s gave way to a crash in the early 80’s. When I arrived in Kodiak in 1985, the crab fleet was struggling. In my 23 years of crabbing I had learned a lot about fishing, but also about life, and myself. For example, during Norton Sound red crab fishery, I almost got pulled over the side by stepping in the bight on the very first day I crabbed. I tore up my ankle when the line wrapped itself around my foot and nearly drug me over the side of the Alaska Trader. My deck boss, Rocket, probably saved my life that day. Over the next decade I worked my way up from the bilge to the wheelhouse, earned a Captains license, and became the Captain of the F/V Wizard.the F/V Dr. K was a sight for sore eyes . Seventeen years later, in 2002, the future of crab fishing in the Bering Sea was again at a crossroads. The derby style fishery was being replaced by a quota based fishery. Its implementation was in its final stages. It appeared at the time that vessel ownership would be the main criteria for individual fishing quota (IFQ) allocations. Late in 2002, I flew to Homer, Alaska to survey a 100” vessel that was for sale. Tied up for over 18 months, and maintained poorly during her last few years fishing crab, the F/V Dr. K was a sight for sore eyes: dark, dank, moldy, rusty, and reeking of Freon from a leaky refrigeration system.
An Alaska family vacation may seem like an unreachable goal, or even a bad idea, but this popular retiree destination is equally good for families, provided it is planned properly. This article gives an outline of some things to consider when thinking of an Alaska trip-of-a-lifetime with your family.
An Alaska family vacation may seem like an unreachable goal, or even a bad idea, but this popular retiree destination is equally good for families, provided it is planned properly. This article gives an outline of some things to consider when thinking of an Alaska trip-of-a-lifetime with your family.
ReplyDeleteKetchikan Fishing Guides