Today started with an amazing sunrise. As we headed out about 10 miles to sea for some halibut fishing, the sun played with the waves and the mountains.
As we neared to area for our fishing, the seabirds to abound. Rhinoceros and Cassin’s Auklet leapt into flight from the swells. Pelagic Cormorants and Glaucous-winged Gulls crisscrossed overhead. Then, in the distance, a large, sleek form appears from the swells. It wheels around our boat, the Black-footed Albatross dominates the skies. I race to fire off as many shots as possible. I am over-excited as my lungs strain for breath and legs demand unattainable stability.
Once we reached the fishing spot, we quickly put halibut gear into the water to a depth of over 200 feet. Within moments< Nardy is reeling in a 40 pound halibut, then Dad brings in the whooper – 112-pound behemoth, and this was followed by my little 65-pound flatfish. I have never worked so hard for a fish. My arms strained, my remained overly tense. But in the end it was worth of effort. Quite the thrill.
Coming back into Rodgers Fishing Lodge, we passed a feeding Sea Otter. It held a large butter clam on its belly as drifted by.
