Father-daughter fun in Alaska

Still trying to get caught up from our trip...I am exhausted.  In short...lousy salmon action...but we had an absolutely GREAT time.

For those that want the whole story, here you go:

Started out meeting up with Capt. Ron at the airport.  Ron moved back to AK last year, it was great to see him.  We went back to his place and prepared for a quick run out to Seward for a little camp-out and some fishing.

The wind was howling in Seward so we just ran up the inlet and tucked into Thumb Cove for a little hali-hunt and lots of BSing.  The scenery was ridiculous, and Paige was already stoked!



The men in the back of the boat soaked bait. Paige worked a swimbait out of the bow.  The men got skunked.  Paige got bent.  I was thrilled to gaff dinner!



It was cool to find this little tanner crab in the stomach back at the fillet table...



Back at camp we started what turned into a MAJOR pattern for this trip...we really got our cook on.  Garlic lemon cheeks for over the coals...



Of course those would take at least 5 minutes to cook so we boiled up some super fresh stripes to fill the gap.  These things are GOOD!



Cheeks, mac and cheese, and baked beans with a smore shooter...what more could a kid want?



Since dinner was so small, Ron bbq'd some fillet mignon for breakfast the next morning!



Then we did some sight seeing and visiting.  We dropped in and said hi to Chris Mautino   and then hit the aquarium.





After lunch we said bye  to Capt. Ron and headed out for Soldatna.  We stopped to see a few sights.

Exit Glacier...



Man stuff...



Tern Lake...



Lots of great wildlife...



Curious foods...





When we arrived at the lodge it was big, and very well equipped.  Tons of sweet custom Willey sleds and beautiful grounds.  The staff were super nice, and the owner RW, spoiled Paige rotten...



Our room was huge and very nice.  It had a master, 3 beds upstairs, living room, full kitchen, and a gas grill.  It even had a place to hang your waders...



We went halibut fishing on day one.  It was fairly deep fishing with clunky old gear.  She made me feel old when she asked why the spectra (which was really Dacron) was so fat.  Paige was the only kid and the only girl.  She did just fine...



Happy at the rail...



Lots of little fish, one every 5 minutes.  No biggies in the neighborhood. Her first limit of chickens...



The skipper let her drive for quite a ways on the way in...



While in Homer we checked out the stuff from the "Deadliest Catch" ship the Time Bandit.  These would not work well on a yak.  Sticking with the Promar...



Paige showed her NCKA/Iron Chef background and cooked it up.  T-bone and grilled asparagus...





We went back to Homer for Round 2 on day 2...



The adorable deckie (and daughter of the skipper) on the Jackpot was a demon with a fillet knife.  Fast and very efficient.  Paige thought she was very cool...



We did it for ChuckE.  Panko halibut with Tempora yams, broc, and onions...





We came back from bank fishing for to find this little "love note".  Fishing the Kenai in the PM...



We hit it from shore in the AM.  About an hour into it I got slammed on a cleo...



Chromer sockeye about 8 pounds...



Then we got on the sled at noon...



We were surrounded by boats all day...and almost no nets flew.  Our gear never got touched...for 3 days in a row!!!!  Ouch!  No Chinook for us.

One night we went to see Arch an Cate Richardson.  They treated us to a nice dinner and a tour of their beautiful summer home.  They accessorized their chandelier to perfection...



They told us about "Caribou Flats"  so we went to see the reindeer...



Paige wondered what they taste like.  I said lets find out!  These guys knew the answer...



Oh yeah. We ate a LOT of these...



Paige fished her brains out. We hit it whenever we weren't in a boat...



She got a lot of time to "master the caster".  I gave her an A+ ...



To celebrate we grilled up the little chromer.  FYI- we discovered baked acorn squash is damn good with salmon.  Mmmmmm...



This crack dealer smelled too good to pass up.  Paige had desert plans...



As it turns out hot, tiny cinnamon donuts are the ultimate base for ice cream...



We heard the sockeye were thick at the mouth of the Russian so we checked it out.  The Ferry ride was fun...



This was less fun...



It became less fun when Paige hooked my face (really). Ouch!  We decided to end our trip with one final fry extravaganza!  Base coat...



This was NUTS!  We had to call in help just finish it off...



We got back together with Arch and Cate.  To prove to my wife that I really am a great influence on the kids we snuck Paige into a bar so she could see local legend "Hobo Jim".  The show was great...



Paige especially loved his song "fishing for chickens"  Thanks to Arch she went home with some autographed cd's...



We headed back to RW's to pack.  The next day we dropped off our rental car and went to the Anchorage Farmers market.  One last piece of reindeer.  rudolf n a stick...



Nice to know fur is ok somewhere on earth...



The overall message for me was it ain't always about killing a pile of fish.  Great one on one time with Paige, good times with friends old and new, and incredible scenery made this a trip of a lifetime.  Thanks RW and WON for the chance to go, we will remember it forever!

Holy Cow! What a trip. It was like going down memory lane. Your trip was so much like a trip I made 8 years ago. Homer, Seward,fishing the Russian and the Kenai. We crossed over the Kenai right above where you were at a campground. There is alittle lake the feeds the Rusian not too far up and the ranger says"I wouldnt go up there . Theres a grizzly thats mean lurking around." Then your picture of Exit glacier. Did you hike up the trail to the right of the glacier to the Harding ice field?

Sean it looks like you and your daughter had the most wonderful time. It is very meaningful to me to see that you and har had such a great and unforgetable experience together. A memory that will last a lifetime.

Paige,those halibut are sure good arent they. It looks like you and your Pop had a great time. I never ate reindeer. Whats it taste like? You must have really been stoked when you caught the only halibut on that swimbait. WTG girl. I am so happy that you got to see the most beautiful unspoiled state in the country.

Seward is one of my favorite towns. If I could, thats where I would go to live for a few years.

I think this is your best post ever Sean; and that is saying a LOT.
That experience will last you and Paige a lifetime.
Congratulations DAD on a job well done!
You didn't happen to catch the brand of knife 'fillet girl' was using did ya?
She made it look like she was using a long razor blade.

Felt like I was there with you. Thanks for the pictorial.

Sean - inspiring post - family, Alaska beauty, sharing memories that will last a lifetime, all those great photos with Paige smiling - pure magic. Thanks for sharing!
Congrats - John

Wow Sean, wonderfully documented and job well done - both father and daughter.  Man, she's growing up QUICK!

Loved the photo with the crab pot.  And man, she was awesome with that baitcaster!  Hope she gets over eating Rudolph.

Michael

What an awesome vacation with your family Sean. Paige is beautiful, you're in big trouble in a few years. 

Hats off to the fantastic job you did documenting this trip.

Rich

You should have my Albion reg docs in the mail.....

This has got to be one of the best fishing reports I have ever read. What an inspiration you are Sean for allowing us to see how awesome it can be sharing what you love with your kids. Your daughter looks like a natural and is getting a great foundation on how life should be. I am sure you are one proud dad and should be.

Thanks for sharing,
Ray

What an incredible, epic trip for dad and daughter - congrats to Paige for winning the trip and taking the old grey bearded man with her! Absolutely, unbelievably gorgeous scenery, great report, thanks for sharing.

excellent report sean.  my favorite pic is paige bellying up to the rail on the party boat.

WTG Dad!
Paige is beautiful and so is Alaska, great report!

Most excellent adventure and tale.  WTG!   

I got my daughter sitting on my lap as I read this post. I only dream of something similar for the two of us.

WTG, Paige!






You too, Sean. 

Awesome!
Makes me nostalgic...especially the IRBI knife shop.
Looks like you had plenty of fish to keep you busy.