Nixon Fishing Report: Part Two

 3:30 a.m. came much too early today but we were excited about our first ever halibut fishing trip in the Cook Inlet.  We were dressed and out the door by 4 a.m. on our way to Ninilchik to meet up with our guide, Captain Ron.

As we were headed out the door, we noticed we had a couple of visitors:  Killer and one of her calves.  It must have been "moose-thirty" because on the hour drive to Ninilchik, we counted at least 12 moose.  I just wonder about how many we didn't see!

We arrived in Ninilchik a bit early so we made a quick pit-stop at the local park. I quickly noted the posted warning about a bear sighting in the area.  I was on high alert! As we stepped out into the cooler temperature I think we all added another layer of clothing.  We slipped on our rubber boots, complete with foot warmers, and we were ready to go.

After a brief introduction to our captain, and our fishing partner, Joe, we headed to the beach to launch the boat.

Headed to the beach

I have to explain that launching the boat is different than Texas.  I've launched from docks and boat launches.  In Ninilchik it is a little bit different.  There are no boat docks or boat launches; just a beach.  The beach we launched from is owned by the native people of Alaska.  In order to put your boat in at that location, you pay a fee.  For that fee, the boat captain backs his boat up to the water line and disengages his truck from the trailer.  From there, the boat, still on the trailer is hooked to a tractor....yes, a tractor!  We climbed aboard the boat, still on the trailer, via a 6 ft. step-ladder.  Once we were all settled, the tractor took the boat out into the water where we launched.  It was really quite efficient and definitely interesting!

My station by the life preserver

Our captain took the four of us through the safety instructions.  I'm always mindful of where the life preserver is located.  I made sure I sat right next to it!  The water was extremely calm and as we departed we were all enjoying the scenery.

Much too early!

As we made the 17 mile trip into the Inlet, we saw a variety of sea gulls.  I was relieved that we never lost sight of land even though that coast line was probably farther away than I could ever hope to swim!

Capt. Ron finally cut the engines and set the anchor.  He cut up some bait fish, herring and handed each of us a short, thick rod with a big open faced reel. As he baited the 3 inch hooks and tied on the 3 lb weights, he explained that we would be fishing on the bottom at about 170 feet.  No problem!  ....so I thought!

Reeling up a 3 lb weight from a depth of 170 feet is tiring enough.  When you have a 20-25 halibut attached to the end it has been described as reeling in a piece of plywood from the bottom of the ocean.  The cranking of the reel isn't so hard...it is the strength required to hold the rod!

No sooner than our bait hit the bottom than Reese had a strike.  She was reeling in her first fish when both Joe (JDaddy) and I had hits.  We were all three reeling in fish and with the pull of mine I was picturing at least a 150 lb halibut.  You can imagine how disappointed we all were when Ron told us that our fish were too small to keep!  They were quickly returned to the water.

She's a natural!

We continued fishing and with each line we would drop, we'd quickly get a strike.  At times I was praying that I wouldn't get a fish just so my arms could rest!  At one point, I was thinking to myself, "Halibut is currently selling for $8.99/lb at the fish market.  I would soooo buy some right now and toss this rod into the ocean!"  I was quickly sweated down and had shed the 3 or 4 layers I had worn earlier that morning and was fishing just in my rain suit and long underwear....it was quite a workout!   We finally got into some nice size halibut and in-between breaks, Reese and I were able to land our limit of two  halibut each and we also learned the reason for the baseball bat!

Capt Ron subduing a fish

Joe and Joe (JDaddy) had a different experience.  Reese and I retired to the cabin and were enjoying our snack of a PBJ when the guys were still trying to catch fish.  At one point, Joe (JDaddy) was so tired I watched as he went down on his knees trying to reel in a fish.  Another time, he was certain he was bringing in a huge fish only to find that he had lost the fish and had been "fighting" the weight the rest of the way up.  Suffice to say, we did give him a hard time about that!

JDaddy on his knees

After about 3 hours of steady fishing, both men had their limits and we headed back.  On the way back we were able to enjoy several puffins and admire the view of Mt. Illiama in the distance.

To load the boat, the procedure is reversed.  The tractor was waiting for us on the beach with Ron's trailer.  We loaded the boat on the trailer and the tractor pulled us to our cars.  Very quickly a step ladder was placed next to the boat for us to depart and we were on our way to Ron's to clean the fish and take advantage of a photo op.

It was a great day.  We came home with 48 lbs of filets which are being processed.  The awards for the day to to:

One of my keepers

First fish

First fish:  Reese
Largest fish: Reese
2nd largest fish:  Jill
Most fish:  Reese
Most lost bait:  Jill
Most improved:  Joe

I'm not sure that halibut fishing is for me.  The upper body strength it requires would require months of training to get me into the shape I need to be in to get the full enjoyment from the sport.  Joe and Reese loved it though so I'm sure I'll find myself reeling in a few more before this Alaska assignment is over....I guess I better start lifting weights!