Alaska, commonly refer to as, “the final frontier”… where wildlife is in abundance, the breathtaking views of nature are everywhere, and the opportunity to explore is at your feet. I had heard many stories told by my friend, Norm, a commercial fisherman, about his life in Alaska, his adventures, the unexpected encounters with grizzly bears and the many times he just tried to survive in the wild. Norm loves the sea and being outdoors, and he’s the sort of person who inspires anyone around him.  Hearing of his experiences, I imagined what Alaska might be like and what commercial fishing is all about.  Then late in the Spring of 1993, he asked if I would like to accompany him and his son Mike in motoring his fishing boat 1,000 miles from Seattle to Alaska and then spend a week fishing for halibut. With a duffle bag of a few essentials, some books and changes of clothes, I was ready. 

(Norm-right and me inside his boat)

It was a sunny Saturday morning with calm water as Norm and I cast off from the Fisherman’s terminal. The journey to Alaska was going to be slow and steady at 12 knots per hour for about 1,000 miles. The plan was for us to take the boat north to Bellingham (about 70 nautical miles) to rendezvous that night with his son, Mike.  From there, Mike and I would pilot the boat the rest of the way to Juneau, Alaska. The voyage will take us approximately seven days. Once arrived, Norm will fly up to meet us. 

(Mike at the stern prepping before heading out)

Over the next week, every day began at about 5:30 AM and the engine didn’t stop until 8 or 9 PM. Mike and I took turns piloting the boat, switching every few hours.  We mainly had to watch out for the many tree logs in the water which could damage the hull if we hit them hard.  Also, it was important to keep the boat on course with the guide of the compass, as any big course corrections meant more time, more miles and more fuel. We traveled not far off the coast through the Inside Passage between the islands on our way north. The daytime routines were about the same with a mix of hours of watching water, reading books, steering the boat, and napping. At the end of each day, Mike would pilot us to a small cove he had been to before, and anchor us for the night. 

The constant watch for a possible encounter with wildlife was a nice diversion from the routine.  Porpoises would cruise alongside us or out in front of the bow.  Pods of killer whales and a sea lion here and there were spotted several times. Bald eagles became a regular sight. A few humpback whales breached out of the water and reentered with enormous splashes. During one of these days, while anchored in a cove, a whale made its way in our direction.  When it passed by, within mere feet of the boat, it turned on its side and looked directly at us. To see an eye the size of a dinner plate, staring at me from just under the surface of the water, is a sight I’ll never forget.  The further north we got, the more I felt removed from civilization and sensed a certain connection to this vast, untamed and unspoiled place that is full of wildlife.  

After seven days out at sea and having witnessed some of the most beautiful scenery, Mike and I safely docked in Juneau and met up with Norm. It was good to be back on land even for just a day before heading back out on the boat for halibut fishing. The day was spent mostly preparing, checking and sharpening the hundreds of hooks, loading supplies, clips, lines, weights, and hundreds of pounds of ice, needed to keep the fish we caught cold. 

(Norm and me-in the rear, bringing in a halibut)

(Norm and the crab pot)

My two weeks was finished and it was time for me to fly back to Seattle and leave Mike and Norm to fish through the summer. This was an amazing experience, and when the seventy-two hours of fishing came to a close, I was exhausted, deprived of sleep but very satisfied with the sense of accomplishment. The job as an Alaskan fisherman is a hard profession. I found it to be strenuous and dangerous at times but also adventurous, fulfilling, and important. The time I spent in Alaska was short but filled with activities which were all new to me; helping Mike pilot a commercial fishing boat for 1,000 miles, anchoring in remote coves for the night where the only light to be seen was from the night sky, to witness the abundance of wildlife all around and to stand before the grandness of Alaska landscapes.

To put myself in another person’s shoes for a short time and take part in their way of life, is an honor.  It helped me to connect in ways which words can have a hard time conveying.  I truly have gained an appreciation for what Norm and Mike do, understand more and see things from a new perspective. For over fifty years, Norm fished halibut and salmon and has since retired. Mike continues to fish in Alaska in the summers and carry on what his dad had started.