Poor mans AK adventure or, captain license blog, the sequel

B

B~C

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or, how to screw up your summer vacation.


The kid has gotten to the age where he's to busy to fish with me anymore so I decided it was time to get a summer job. I whipped up a little resume and wandered off to the Sportsman show this winter and wheeled a few charter operators. I inquired about how to break into the business having never been to Ak. I walked out of there with several job offers, I'd like to think it was because of my mechanical background coupled with the license but I think the real reason was the hat. Almost every one I talked with mentioned the C-D hat, "do you have a C-Dory", "nice boats" where common comments.

Anyhoots, When I was looking over operators, I only talked to the outfits that looked to be high quality and ran several boats. That last thing I wanted was to be working for some cut rate operation with one broken down boat. The one I signed on with has a captain that is slowly retireing that I'll be working with and eventually taking over the boat. I couldn't ask for a better scenerio...and they're paying for airfare :)

Hopefully this will be the first of many summers working in Elfin Cove for www.eaglecharters.com trying to boost the retirement war chest :) They have wi-fi so I should be able to report back on occasion on the trials and tribulations of a rookie Capt.

If all works out, I hope to leave the rat race in not to many years and just work the fishing season in AK. Maybe, my ramblings here will provide some insight for others that may be thinking the same
 
Ken,

I was delighted to hear that you connected with a commercial operator for the summer, and in Elfin Cove of all places!

I don't know if you've ever been to Elfin Cove, but frankly it is one of my favorite places in all of Southeast AK. Beautiful setting, comfortably small community (about nine lodges as I recall). No roads at all, everything is boardwalks. The whole Icy Straits area is one of the best whale watching areas we found, and from what we saw the fishing is Spectacular. The cold water (remember, they call it Icy Straits...) commonly develops fog - so you'll get quite comfortable with radar. (I remember one winter story about the mail plane not getting to the Cove for 28 days due to fog!) In clear weather the view to the north (Glacier Bay National Park) is beyond spectacular.

In about 2000 the Cove installed a first class fueling facility, there is a small store, community electrical power and Cove clients are flown-in from Juneau via floatplane; all very Alaska-ish.

The inner harbor is home to a small fleet of commercial operators and lodges. The outer dock (about 150' as I recall) is frequented by commercial vessels as well as cruising yachts and passing C-Dory's! No water or power at the dock, but as far as I know it's still free.

I would urge you to keep a journal of your experiences - you may be about to begin one of the finest chapters in your Life.

Best,
Casey Casebeer
C-Dory Naknek
 
Ken, that is very exciting! The opportunity to do what you love AND get paid for it is a pleasure that few know. It will be interesting to read your posts and get the point of view from the captain's perspective. We'll be looking forward to it.

Congratulations and best wishes with this new opportunity,
Jim B.
 
What a dream job -- should make it fun, doing something you enjoy -- I'm sure some would call it 'work!' :) Have a great time and we're looking forward to your sea tales!
 
Now you did it Ken. You just made my going to work at a factory with no windows (security) even MORE miserable. :x Way to go though for having the gumption to get out there and try something new and pleasureable for a change.
 
thanks all, I'm very fortunate to have a job & spouse that allows one to embark on such an adventure.....between the comments here and folks that I've talked to, it sure sounds like Elfin Cove is a pretty special place.
It should be an interesting summer, I anticipate a little fun, a lot of work, a few customers from hell, a lot of great customers and a lot of rain.........I'm really thrilled to be able to get out on the water everyday and NOT HAVE TO BUY FUEL :)

later
 
Way to go Ken. :mrgreen: We’ll try to pay you a visit while we are up this summer. Elfin Cove looks like a place to see. Keep us posted on your adventure. Good luck and enjoy.

Don and Dee
 
B~C":3t7wteq7 said:
thanks all, I'm very fortunate to have a job & spouse that allows one to embark on such an adventure.....
Click to expand...

B~C, I guess that is good.........however, a couple of days ago, a young lady friend of mine mentioned to me that she tried to convince her ex-husband to head up to Dutch Harbor and "sign on" to one of the "Deadliest Catch" vessels......hmmmmmm.... :roll:
 
hmmmmmmmm? I wondered why M was so excited to see me off.

Don & Dee, come on up, I'll buy you a beer....unless you want to wager a sixpack on something, in that case you can buy the beer :)
 
Or, maybe if Don and Dee will swing by Snoqualmie, we can stand you to a case of good beer!
B~C":2tr67knj said:
hmmmmmmmm? I wondered why M was so excited to see me off.

Don & Dee, come on up, I'll buy you a beer....unless you want to wager a sixpack on something, in that case you can buy the beer :)
Click to expand...
 
Pat, you just provided the final incentive to taking that hike down to the falls that Caryn and I have been talking about. Stopping by Snoqualmie Brewery after the hike to quench our thirst! :thup

Ken, after reading your post,
Ken":2p7ff5df said:
The one I signed on with has a captain that is slowly retireing that I'll be working with and eventually taking over the boat
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I started daydreaming that maybe someday you might need a deckhand. :D It sounds like a great way to spend a summer, salmon fishing in Alaska.

In any case, have a great time up there.
 
B~C,

You drew a posh assignment. If you have any internet problems in Elfin Cove, I will volunteer to help fix them in exchange for a couple of days of fishing. I've installed terminals from Port Moller (half way to Dutch) to Barrow and Cordova but haven't done anything in the SE. I need to broaden my horizons and come south a little.

Good luck, take a good rain coat, and enjoy the summer.

Tom
 
thanks again for the best wishes......this may turn out to a work my arse off, slave labor camp, miserable job from hell...naw

x rain gear
x camera
x computer
x bug juice
x sense of humor
 
Pat,

Any beer you left in my care would likely evaporate during the long voyage but I will be happy to make an attempt. (sorry Ken)

Pat Anderson":3oie6uu9 said:
Or, maybe if Don and Dee will swing by Snoqualmie, we can stand you to a case of good beer!
B~C":3oie6uu9 said:
hmmmmmmmm? I wondered why M was so excited to see me off.

Don & Dee, come on up, I'll buy you a beer....unless you want to wager a sixpack on something, in that case you can buy the beer :)
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
day one under belt, long day, good food, private room with own shower and restroom. spent day trolling in flat ocean, many salmon and hallibut caught...no bar to cross :) am patiently awating beer shipment :)
 
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