A FISH STORY
August 29, 2008
Meek, timid women
seldom make history
MUSINGS FROM BOB - A FISH STORY
Mid August, 2008 Homer, Alaska
We finally broke down and chartered a boat to troll for Halibut and Silver (Coho) salmon, totally against the ethics of a purist, catch and release fly fisherman, but the only way to acquire the fish we needed to send home to prove that our activities went well beyond golf and brew pubs. Lo and behold, we found Captain Phil, a legend around these parts, and he was willing to take us out to slay Halibut & Salmon all in a single days work. But could he do it? ‘No guaranties,’ he said. ‘No promises,’ he said. ‘Bring lunch and drinks,’ he said. And then? He would not allow a keg on board!! ‘You have got to be kidding’ Dan argued. But to no avail. Yes, we actually drank water all day, and into the early evening.
Anyway, we teamed up with Captain Phil Warren on the Sea Wolf, along with Chuck (an insurance guy in a one man office in Fairbanks, who hid his sense of humor well) and a young;chap I now call Marty, (the spitting image of a young Marty Spellman, the actor who played the crazy eyed – but nothing like halibut eyes – aide with a movable humpback in Young Frankenstein with Mel Brooks) and motored out of Homer Harbor. Marty was on a mission to reel in a huge Halibut and some silvers for his sisters wedding, and the ever vigilant Captain Phil offered to preside at the wedding if he could have steak rather than seafood. Evidently, 16 years of fishing makes you a carnivore.
We were guided through the intricately challenging, mentally exhausting, physically demanding art of trolling, and the Capt. placed a fishing pole adorned with spectacular lures in a holder for each of us. Marty drew the top card and when we all shouted ‘fish on’ he brought the first salmon to the surface, and with a final, exuberant leap a Pink Salmon landed in the net and was swooped on board by the Capt. The lowly Pink Salmon. The one chosen to be shipped to the lower 48 where it will be consumed by unwitting shoppers and cats with the belief that it is real salmon.
The fishing group went on with each of us catching our limit of 2 Halibut and 3 Coho Salmon. Bob led with a 60 pound Halibut! Within moments of stepping onto solid ground, and taking one last glance at the Sea Wolf, and Captain Phil, Bob& Dan were sipping on a nice, cold Alaska Red Ale draft beer. Thanks Captain Phil! (907) 235-1374 and he has a great sense of humor. BG
