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FISHIN FOOL'S - ALASKAN DREAM ADVENTURE
Fishin Fool’s - Alaskan Dream Adventure
Actually it should read “THE NICEST THING ANYONE HAS EVER DONE FOR ME”
This is a fairly long winded story and I will summarize as much as possible, but I need to tell it.
I have known my friend Bill Armwood of San Antonio Texas for many years now. I had invited him over the years to come to Virginia and fish with me. 7+ years back he took me up on my offer and brought along a few friends coming back each year always bringing his good friend Ken Pino. We all fished together catching whatever the winds would allow us to; stripers, flounder, sea bass, etc.
In December 2006, I had casually mentioned I had never been to Alaska and hoped to someday go there and catch a halibut.
In November 2007, my wife Sandy and I were in San Antonio on a conference visiting Bill, Ken and their wives having dinner, when the waiter suddenly put a card on the table with a bow on it, my wife and I were wondering what the heck is that.
I opened the card and it read “Hey Fishin Fool, Reel in a Great Day! Because you’re going to Alaska and we’re going too! Bill & Ken”
WOW, what could I say??? I was STUNNED!!! I didn’t want them to do this, but how do you turn that down, I didn’t want to insult them and at the same time I was excited they thought enough of me to give me such a great gift. This is the NICEST THING ANYONE HAS EVER DONE FOR ME!!!
On Saturday, August 23rd, I flew to Houston; we met up and flew to Homer, Alaska for the Fishing Adventure of a Lifetime.
We fished with “Captain B’s Alaskan C’s Adventure”
Boat: Ashtikan - 44’ Jersey
Captain Bryan Bondioli
Mate:Joe
www.fishinghomeralaska.com
Email: ashtikan@ptialaska.net
(907)235-4114 (Capt. Bryan’s Mom Donna Schedules His Charters)
Primary Crew: Lucian aka Fishin Fool (Me), Bill & Ken
Day 1: Long Range Combo – Rockfish, Halibut, Ling Cod - Additional crew were SeiJo age 70 (Crankin Fool) and his friend Sjin (SHIN).
We headed out with Captain Bryan, his mate Joe and some home made brownies made by the Captain’s mom just to make my adventure more personal.
The tackle we used was just crazy to me, 2–3 lb jig heads with 20/0 hooks, a twister tail and tied to a leader of 500 lb white parachute cord. When I first saw the tackle I could not believe we were going to use it, what no fluorocarbon?
We headed to the honey hole where we proceeded to catch Ling Cod, Halibut, Rockfish, Yellow eyed Rockfish and a Tiger Rockfish. We fished like fools catching a limit on everything we targeted.
I had a blast and those fish really can fight; we cranked fish non stop. The captain was so elated with our fishing non stop until we had our limit; he called us “Fishin Fools”; Hmmm, where have I heard that name before?
Final TalleyDay 1:
Ling Cod – Limit up to 60 lbs.
Halibut – Limit up to 50 lbs.
Black Rockfish – Limit
Yellow Eyed Rockfish – Limit
Tiger Rockfish - 1
Day 2: Long Range Halibut, additional crew Mike and his wife Mini. Tackle again CRAZY, 20/0 circle hooks crimped to heavy steel cable on a 3 way with 24-48 oz of lead sinker. We started the morning off catching Pollock for bait at the docks and proceeded to the fishing grounds.
The bite started out a little slow, but not to worry, Capt. Bryan and Joe had a few tricks to entice the bite and soon we were hooking up to VERY NICE HALIBUT a couple over 50 lbs., soon after we had our limit.
Capt. Bryan went out farther than anyone else in the fleet to ensure we had a chance at catching a BIG HALIBUT. Mike hooked into a BIG BOY, but it ran under the boat and broke off, it happens.
Final TalleyDay 2:
Halibut – Limit some over 50 lbs.
Day 3: LongRange Combo – Rockfish, Halibut, Ling Cod – Additional crew, Jose & Steve.
We were limited on time due to a flight out that evening, but that didn’t stop Capt. Bryan from taking us all the way back out, even farther than the previous days. We arrived at the destination looking for BUBBA.
I had brought along a Butterfly Jig I found in a tackle shop the night before and tied it on with of course Parachute Cord.
I dropped the jig and immediately hooked up, rockfish on. Second drop another rockfish. Third drop a 50+ lb. Ling Cod!!! Now that’s what I wanted to catch.
A little while later I hooked BUBBA on the jig and he started taking drag but it wasn’t meant to be as the hook pulled ARGHH (stuff happens); no worries, I put it back down but later hooked a rock and the bottom claimed my only jig.
We fished non stop, limiting out on Cod up to 60+ lbs., one short of a Halibut limit and lots of Rockfish, a limit of Yellow eyed Rockfish and a China Rockfish.
It was getting late and we had a plane to catch so we headed for the dock to get our catch packaged and shipped.
Final TalleyDay 3:
Ling Cod – Limit up to 60+ lbs.
Halibut – 1 Short of a Limit up to 50+ lbs.
Black Rockfish
Yellow Eyed Rockfish – Limit
Tiger Rockfish
What an INCREDIBLE ADVENTURE! I saw so many types of Whales (Grey, Beluga, Humpback, Orca, Etc.), Sea Lions, Otters, Eagles and more. The mountains were both green and covered with snow with a glacier. The water was clear and absolutely beautiful. If you ever get the chance GO TO ALASKA and enjoy one of the most incredible places on earth.
Bill & Ken, MY FRIENDS, I OWE YOU!!! It was absolutely the MOST INCREDIBLE GIFT ANYONE could ever Wish For!!! THANK YOU!!!
Capt. Bryan, Joe and of course Brian’s Mom Donna, WHAT AN AWESOME TIME you showed us on the WATER!!! You are 1st CLASS and I can’t wait to return and fish with you again.
Thanks Again For The Great Adventure!
Thanks also to Stan Gold who gave me Capt. Bryan’s Info!
Lucian aka Fishin Fool
I have some video footage which I will add soon.
Here are some pics:
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Originally Posted by La Gringa
