Alaska Trip 2024. loooong w/pic.

[Mahigeer]

ALASKA TRIP, HIGHLINER LODGE, PELICAN 08/11-16/2024





This is a report about my recent trip to Alaska. As usual of my style it is not about; look what I caught, --but rather the whole experience.
Sort of travel log if you will.
I found this location which cost me $2,100.00 more, but with exception of a few items it was worth it.
The story behind it is long, so I am leaving it out of this already looooooooong report.

I know readers want to see fish pictures first. So go ahead and look for the pictures. Then pour yourself a cup of your favorite beverage
and if so desire, read the text. It will be here waiting for you.




Sunday, August 11, 2024






I was at the LAX (Los Angeles Exchange) airport at 5:00 AM for the 7:00 AM flight on Alaska Airlines plane to Seattle Washington.
Then to Juneau, Alaska. The capital of the state of Alaska.



1-I was to fly from Juneau (on the right side of the map) West to Pelican (on the left side of the map).

I had been twice to Gustavus (toward the top of the map), but will not go back. Another long story.



2-This is the Alaska Airlines plane to take me to Seattle Washington. Then on another one to Juneau, Alaska.




3-Celebrating on the plane after eight months of waiting to take an Alaskan fishing trip once more.




4-One of the several lakes that I saw. I am guessing it is in California.




5-Flying above the clouds. No angels here.




6-I am finally here. One more hour of flying on a seaplane and I should be at the lodge in Pelican.
Not so fast......





7-This is the plane which I will be taking along with another passenger to Pelican, Alaska. The pilot is getting it ready.






8-Lots of seaplanes in a special area.

You can see the low clouds at the airport.


We left a bit earlier than scheduled to beat the weather, but halfway on route we had to turn around and go back to Juneau due to
safety issues.
Later, I heard that a plane had gone down recently and yet to be found. I did not tell my family about it.



9-This is where I had to spend the night instead of my room at the lodge in Pelican.

Lots of other stranded anglers with different final stops were sleeping there too.



10-I think from all the airports that I have visited, this was the most comfortable one that was free to use.




11-Art work in Juneau airport. You can also see the counter as well as waiting area for the Alaska Seaplanes Airline.




Next morning, they put us on the 9:30 AM flight and we were at Pelican before noon.




Monday, August 12, 2024






12-The other passenger that I met at the airport and we talked most of the night which made the time go faster.




13-This time we had two pilots on board.




14-Views from inside of the seaplane.















15-Mendenhall river which becomes the glacier as it goes further up north in the distance.




16-More photos from the seaplane looking down.














17-Perhaps someone is in hurry to go fishing.




18-This looks like a private yacht.




19-Loved the new technology.




20-Yet more pictures from the sky. I wonder what lives among those rocks.










21-I could not get enough of the beautiful scenery.






22-I am finally at Pelican. hurray???Some of the housing in this small town.




23-This is main street of Pelican, Alaska.

No cars. only ATVs.

24-Seaplane getting ready to leave Pelican.




I was on the fishing boat by noon. The lodge had a boat and captain waiting for me.
They even had a sandwich made and in the cooler for me.
What service.
Every captain had a thermos of hot coffee and big container of snacks, chips, etc. for us to enjoy while on the fishing boats.



25-The lodge provided rain gear and booths. I used my own pants since it was lighter thus cooler.






26-My yellow pants are on the hook with my name tag. Very efficient system.




27-From left to right--Captain, lady in charge of vacuum sealing our catch and the fillet man.

They came with me on a half-day fishing outing, since I got there at noon.
I caught one halibut the same size. We had three on board when we headed back which would be shared.



28-The main building of the Highliner Lodge. My room was on the third floor all the way to the right.
Meals would be served on the first floor.



29-View from my room on the third floor.



30-My room-






31-They had free laundry service, so we could pack light. Not me though.




32-Heating was provided by a portable electric heater.




33-I took this picture of one of two piers for Skipper Jones.



34-Every night the dinner menu was listed on this board.




35-This was the halibut plate.





Tuesday, August 13, 2024






The schedule set up by the lodge was as follows:
5:00 AM dining room opens,
5:30 AM breakfast is served,
6:30 AM boats leave the marina for fishing,
About 5:00 PM the boats are back at marina,
5:30 PM the fishroom staff sets the fish for pictures, also appetizers are served,
6:30 PM dinner is served.
Rest of the time you are on your own. I was getting up at 4:30 AM in the morning. Did one night of river fishing after dinner.



36-Mornig breakfast would be served shortly.




37-We made our own sandwiches in the morning and labeled the zip-loc bag and put it in the cooler of the assigned captain.








38-Captain Cody was running this boat.






39-Excellent boats including very comfortable seats.



With twin 350 HP motors.



40-All the boats had doors on both side for boarding. Also to bring in the large fish. Much better than the ones on my previous trips.

A small item for most, but very important for me with my knee issues.



41-I caught one of these which are called??wait for it??..yellowtail!!!!!!




42-The black fish are named Black Rockfish. Not to be confused with Black Cod (Sablefish).




43-We used a hi-low rig with small hoochie skirt on the hooks and with a lure on the bottom as sinker.

At two or three fish at a time we limited five each very quickly.


A side note---Every boat had a large cooler half filled with ice and some saltwater. As soon as we had our limits, the captain would
clean the fish which was hit with a gaff. Then he would wash it with sea water and put it in the cooler.
When at the dock, the cooler would be transported to the ?fishroom? and after picture taking by the guests, would be processed.
Filleted, vacuum packed and fast frozen. Later would be put in 50 lbs. max. boxes to be transported with the angler to the
corresponding airlines.



44-A delicious pork dish for dinner tonight.





Wednesday, August 14, 2024






45-This was one of several yelloweye named rockfish from the deep that was caught.
Captain send them down with downrigger and special tool, but they floated to the surface.





On the first full day of fishing, the captain made sure that I get my king salmon and lingcod. Other anglers (cowboys) had theirs
already having been fishing a few days before me.



46-My First King salmon of the trip. My limit for the year. It was legal, so it was kept. I caught two more while trolling for Coho salmon, but were released.


Captains are very mindful of the following the regulations.



47-A Legal King salmon with the help of captain Cody.




48-Yelloweye rockfish. Must be released.




49-A landed halibut had three of these in its mouth.




50-Two cowboys with a large rockfish from the deep, using boat?s electric reel. It was ok to keep.




51-This was a local famous watering hole for the tourist and the local characters. Called Rosie's.

If you bought a drink for everyone in the bar, you get to smack the bell with a rubber mallet.



51-This is the other passenger who was there on business. With our conversation at the Juneau airport, made the night go faster.

He was hunter and fisherman as well; out of Seattle. He was waiting for me to get back from one night fishing. Even bought me a beer.




53-I did not match this catch from the previous trip at a different location at a different lodge.





54-All I can say is --wow.






55-wow again.




56-Part of marina in Pelican, Alaska.




57-Limit is one lingcod per year. This was similar to mine.




58-Some of the many Coho salmon that I/we caught in 3.5 days of fishing for me. Limit 6 per day per angler.




59-Me and the cowboy from Wyoming teamed up to use my electric reel and landed this fish called shortracker rockfish.




60-These three "cowboys" two from Texas and one from Montana made two days of fishing with them a lot of fun.

These were friends in the cattle business. I started to sing the theme from the TV show Rawhide.
They decided to nickname me Rowdy.
The name of Clint Eastwood character. From then on, I was known to the guests as Rowdy!



61-Some scenery from the city of Pelican.






62-The lodge has a #100 club. He was just entered to that club.




63-Two of the passengers and the Captain of a different boat.




64-This is where they process the fish. The fishroom. Very hard working and caring staff.








65-My full first day catch with the cowboys. The catch is divided among the four anglers on the boat.

The fish above the halibut are Black Cod.


66-A sample of dessert.




67-One of the nicer properties in town.







Thursday, August 15, 2024






68-This is the catamaran that I fished on the last day. They are getting two more next year. Estimated cost each, $1/2M.










69-An excellent fishing boat. In the distance is a ramp with a blue cover directly in front of the main lodge.




70-Some of the seats in the catamaran had mechanism to make the ride more comfortable.





71-This was another nice family from Texas. Not in the cattle business. I think.
Mom was a trooper and landed several fish, including a shark.





I had a great time talking to them during mealtimes and even fished the last day on the catamaran with them.
Wonderful family which made my trip very enjoyable. I hope to fish with them again.



72-I used my Okuma LH reel with counter for salmon using a diver. At times I was to 130 feet deep.




73-The two downriggers were set about 50 and 75 feet.




74-Another Coho salmon hits the deck.




75-Lots of boats in the distance trolling for salmon.




76-Some of the several halibut landed by yours truly.






77-This is the only whale sighting that I had. Not much wildlife sighting compare to Gustavous.




78-On the way home we took a shortcut through a narrow passage.




79-Some remote residency in the area.




80-I was told that I brought good seas to the area. Apparently lots of seasickness from the rough seas before I got to the city.

Nothing I did, but I accepted the compliment.



81-Cruiseships in the distance. Possible inside passage tour, but not sure.




82-This was the total catch of the last day by me and the other anglers on the catamaran.

Halibut and Coho salmon and Black rockfish.





83-Trip?s last dinner dish.




84-Every day we would pass through this passage way on the way to the fishing grounds.





Friday, August 16, 2024






85-This was the catamaran which took us back to Juneau.




86-The upper level.






87-One of many commercial fishing boats.




88-Self-explanatory.




89-There was a river full of pink salmon jumping and looking toward the upriver. They ignored my lures.




90-Highliner Lodge.




91-Bye, bye Pelican.






92-I brought home two boxes of filleted fish.
The first one $45.00, but the second one cost me $150.00 at the Alaska Airlines for baggage fee.



93-I liked the professionally labeled fillet packs.










Conclusion:
Although this was the pricier trip to Alaska that I have made so far, I must say it was the best. Catching the big halibut notwithstanding.
I will go back, providing I can make some changes.
The lodge did the transportation arrangement to and from Juneau to Pelican. I hear they are thinking of eliminating the air transport.
Thus, it will be catamaran both ways. More reliable. No charge for extra weight either.
There are better rooms at the lodge with private bathroom attached. Though it costs more. Not sure if I like that.
I think less desirable rooms should be discounted.
The staff were fantastic, the boats excellent, so were the experienced captains. I fished with three different ones.
The lodge was very nice as well as delicious meals served by the chefs.

I will try to put together a team of four for the next trip.

THE END

[katchfish]

Fun adventure, great report!

Thanks for sharing.

[Saba Slayer]

Thanks for sharing Hashiem...
Looks like you brought home lots of good eats...

[Pinhead]

That report was almost as good as being there....and the free laundry service has me man !!! Nice variety of fish and great to be able to take home your catch. Nice pics and good memories I'm sure. Thanks for sharing the story and pics!!!!!!!!!! Pinhead Out!

[Mahigeer]

Thank you everyone.

Glad it is liked.

I should have put some fillet pictures.

I will post some later.

[jruiz]

Nice report. My $.02 on Alaska fishing from previous experiences.

1. If I were to go again I would go with an outfit that both trolls and mooches. Sometimes one method outfishes another. Good to have both methods at your disposal
2. Go with an outfit that has boats with dual outboards. It could be 10-20 miles from the lodge to the fishing grounds. An additional two hours of fishing time could be had if the boats are fast to them. Over the course of a 3-5 day trip, that adds up.

[Mahigeer]

Thanks for the pointers.

I added these pictures to the report.



93-I liked the professionally labeled fillet packs.

[erinoo]

Great report, great pictures and great fishing. If going to Sitka, I recommend Kingfisher Lodge. Been there numerous times and they are second to none, in my opinion. Again, great report.

[Mahigeer]

Thank you for your input.

[jruiz]

One last pointer.

Ask the fish processors to pack you some halibut cheeks and salmon collars. More often than not they're going to waste or they're taking them home for themselves.

[Mahigeer]

Originally Posted by jruiz

One last pointer.

Ask the fish processors to pack you some halibut cheeks and salmon collars. More often than not they're going to waste or they're taking them home for themselves.

So true.

[JohnMckroidJr]

Vicariously enjoyed!

It Looks like Juneau airport is geared for layovers as there are no arm rests between the seats like most other airports -- That makes for better rest between flights.

The rockfish remind me of California's Johnny Bass(Olive Rockfish), and Blue Bass( Blue Rockfish). I would not want to go to Alaska to catch those, but the Salmon and Halibut more than made up for it -- Bravo!!

A picture is worth a thousand words. Nice job of documenting the experience.
The vacuum sealed fillets look excellent!

Thanks Rowdy!

[Mahigeer]

Thanks John,

The issue with the great trip is that it makes it hard to wait for the next time.

Glad the report is liked.

[Sully1]

Epic post! Thank you!!!

[Mahigeer]

Thanks.

[MITCHELL]

Thanks for the show and tell.....never been to gustavus good pick on fishing destination.
I knew a skipper up there who owned his own boat that sent me some halbit one time. But he is no longer there.

[Mahigeer]

Glad it is liked.

I am putting together a party of four for the next year's trip.

Maybe a different place.