I’m so desparate to find someone – anyone- to sell me quality pink salmon that I got my 18 foot skiff licensed to go out and get them directly off of gillnet vessels as they harvest them. Things were going okay till the weather kicked up a little. I pulled up to the brother of a friend of mine, and he warned me that it didn’t look like a real safe operation I had going on. I told him I knew, it was my first try, and I’d be careful. He dropped fish down to me, and I left for home, with a slight chop to the quarter stern. Then the outboard cut down – I was about out of fuel, and was not in a good situation, as a stern wave could swamp me. A full 1/2 tote of fish was between me and the outboard can I needed to fill, and I could not get the tote moved, as I bobbed up and down in the seas. I could see the gillnetter who warned me coming over to make sure I was okay. After several minutes, I finally got the can free, filled it, and got on my way. I just about kissed the dock when I got there, and learned I’m not going this route again. I’ve got to get fishermen onboard before the season starts to do what I need so that they will allow me to buy their fish and give them money. Funny how some people make that so hard…
–
Mark Stopha and Sara Hannan
Alaska Wild Salmon Company
Wild Salmon and Salmon Pet Treats
4455 N. Douglas Hwy
Juneau, AK 99801
907-463-3115
www.GoodSalmon.com