Trevor Sayer.

We met Trevor thru John Drello at the Long Beach Show ~ John had fished with us in the past, and coerced Trevor to join him.

This is all the pictures I had guys - the others were unusable ~ don't want you to think ill of me... If you have some that you'd like to share please e-mail them to me, and I'll put them up!

reel.affair@att.net

John: Trevor: Thanks for the laughs and the good time!

Action Shot!

Nice Hat Trev!

He? She? Was so close to the boat ~ just resting. Once in a while taking a breath. So peacefully ~

Pretty cool, huh?

Cindy Fuhriman ~ Nice Catch.

King Slamon the Largest of the Salmon Species

Cindy and Steve Fuhriman ~

Steve is proudly showing his "I don't want to go home yet" face.
:(

Cindy and Steve Fuhriman departed Sitka The morning of the 5th with 94 pounds of King Salmon, Coho, Halibut and Rock Fish Fillets.

They ultimatley chose a group split between Kathy Anderson, Bill Creel and themselves, sharing equally in what each other harvested. This worked really well, as Anderson's harvest a nice halibut @ 92 pounds, and Fuhriman's got all their Kings, including a bunch of Coho.

Both families 'Power fished' for A 2 Day 3 Night All Inclusive Pkg.

This Picture just shows cindy a wee bit better ~

Photo Compliments of her Captain and Deckhand

Kathy Anderson and Bill Creel

Center: Their Deckhand Roman Sorokin holding the 92 lb. halibut which Bill Harvested.

L to R

Debra Weiss
Frank Sligh
Carol Weiss
Steve Weiss

This was the only picture I retrieved from our camera ~ if you folks took some and they are digital? please e-mail them so I can add them, ok?

Thank you for everything!

(i think thay had a lot of fun...)

L to R

Steven Weiss
Debra Weiss
& Deb's husband Frank Sligh.

From: Frank Sligh & Deb Weiss
To: reel.affair@worldnet.att.net
Subject: More Pics
Date: Sat, 8 Jul 2006

Hi Octobre,

Here are just a few of the over 300 pictures we took during our trip. The fish is excellent and our friends are hovering over us like seagulls. Thanks again for the fantastic 3-day fishing trip. All of you are AWESOME!

Don't forget to reserve our fishing days for July 7, 8, & 9 in 2007. We probably will spend about a week in Sitka then. Take care and we'll be in touch.

Frank Sligh & Deb Weiss

You are all very welcome! Thank you for the pic's!

Photo Compliments of Frank Sligh & Debra Weiss.

L to R

Debra Weiss
Debra's Sister in Law; Carol Weiss
Carol's husband; Deb's Brother; Steven Weiss
Frank Sligh Deb's husband

(whew! i did it!)

Photo Compliments of the Frank Sligh and Deb Weiss household ~ Thanks!

In a letter i received 7/21/06 dated ~ July 9,2007

To the entire staff of Reel Affair:

We were in awe, not only of the splendor and beauty of Alaska's wild wonders, but also of the spirited, friendly and generous people we met throughout our entire trip.

We were particularly impressed with the staff of Reel Affair Fishing Charter.

You folks met our every expectation and then some. We felt like family coming home to a reunion. Everyone was happy, enthused, smiling, laughing, & joking. Whatever we needed, you were there with it five minutes before we needed it.

The time and coordination involved in making our trip a success was totally professional and top shelf on your part.

This was our dream vacation and you made it all come true.

The Westmark Hotel accommodations were extremely comfortable, providing all the extras to make us feel right at home. Staff was very friendly and helpful.

Transportation was not always on time ~ it was always early!

The restaurants provided the finest atmosphere, menus and meals.

The fishing was the best. We caught limits of fish ~ and had a great time doing it, all three days.

Thanks again for supplying us with such fine weather and scrumptious lunches!

We owe Greg Faria big-time for referring us to Reel Affair!

Octobre and Tim, you have developed such a wonderful business, but managed to make it so friendly, comfortable,
and personalized.

You are successful because of the value you place in your clients. We loved our time with you all so much that you can expect us again next July 7, 8 and 9 in 2007 for another three days of fishing, and additional days in lovely Sitka.

Sincerely,
Deb Weiss and Frank Sligh

wow ... you know folks ~ i walked around with a silly grin for a while after i received your letter and before i called to say Thanks!

(i showed it to all the crew...it made our day...)

Tote o' Fish

Photo Compliments of Freand Sligh and Deb Weiss

David Okamoto ~ Nice King David ~ Nice Jacket too!

L to R

Katsuhiko Hiyoshi
David Okamoto
Dexter Sasaki

Beautiful show of Yellow Eye gentlemen!

The rod that David is holding is the rod he used to harvest this 92 pound halibut.

David was in 140 foot of water, using a Lamiglass 1310T Rod on 25 pound test with a Penn 965 or a Calcutta 400 reel.

Word traveled really quickly amongst ourselves - so fast in fact that I had heard of it before he even got in my van at the harbor!

Katsuhiko allows me call him K.

K Fished with us last year, came back with us in 2006. He was plagued by a mild sore throat, so off to the pharmacy we went, and out he comes with just what the doctor ordered!

Dr. Pepper?!

hehe

It's a Beautiful King K.

Dexter Sasaki - Looks pretty darn Happy ~ I love that part!

Thank you gentlemen!

Dexter Sasaki ~ This is the kind of picture you may well see in our Booth at the sportsman shows for 2007! Nice picture Dexter! Thank you!

From: Dexter
To: reel.affair@worldnet.att.net
Subject: Pictures from Hiyoshi Party
Date: Wed, 5 Jul 2006

Hi Octobre,

Thanks again for the great trip. You have a great group of people working for you. Your hands on customer service is the greatest and I would definitely recommend your charters to all my friends.

I have attached some other pictures that you may like for your records or website. I saw our pictures on your website already. Boy you are efficient!

Thank You,
Dexter Sasaki, CA

Thanks Dexter!

1 Happy Man ~ Katsuhiko Hiyoshi
2 Yellow Eye ~
3 Full days of saltwater fishing ~

Thank you K for bringing your friends.
See you next year!

One more look at that Halibut -

Lamiglass 1310 T, 25 pound test ~ Nice ~

Pictured is David Okamoto ~ Photo Compliments of Dexter Sasaki.

Dexter, Thank you for the 5 pictures. One you had taken of Darius, your TRUSTING deckhand is on 'Our Crew' page ... Guess!

7/4/2006

The seas today are perfect 2.3 foot

2 Dads & 2 Sons. It's all about that ~

L to R
Andrew Powers
Jerry Powers
Tanner Lindsay
Mark Lindsay

Nice show of King Salmon Guys!

Andrew and Tanner ~ Both young men have a fish on it appears.

I can hear it now Guys! Guys! I want to take a picture ~ Smile!

It's Fear Factor!!!

Mr. Powers ~ Fish Heart ~ Need I say more?

(the before shot)

AFTER

L to R Top Row ~

Mark Lindsay
Tanner Lindsay
Andrew Powers
& Jerry Powers

Bottom Row ~
Dungeness Crab
Yellow Eye
Big Halibut
Yellow Eye
70 lb. Halibut

Happy Campers? YUP!

Incredible -

Mark Lindsay
Jerry Powers
Andrew Powers
Tanner Lindsay

These two Families went home with 240 pounds of Crab, Shrimp, Halibut, King Salmon, Yellow Eye, and Rock Fish ~

Each.

Tanner Lindsay

Mark Lindsay

Jerry Powers

Andrew Powers & Dad Jerry
Tanner Lindsay & his Dad Mark

They folks fished 4 days, with one day dedicated to crab and shrimping.

Collectivley they left Sitka with 480 pounds of Jumbo Spot Prawns, Dungeness Crab, rock Fish, Halibut, King Salmon, Coho, and Yellow Eye!

From: "Mark Lindsay"
To:
Subject: Lindsay
Date: Wed, 5 Jul 2006

Octobre,

Well I can't believe it is only a memory now but what memories they
are. Tanner's first question to me when we boarded the plane in Sitka
was, "When can we come back Dad"? I'll be in touch about that!

I think Jeremy and Tim made a fisherman out of him.

Thank you to you, Tim, Jeremy and everyone else for making our trip so
much fun.

Attached is the picture you requested.

Thanks again and and I'll get the graphics to Bob in the next day or
two and we'll be in touch about sizes and numbers. We can also help out
with your webstore.

Talk to you soon.
Mark

You are more than welcome ~ mark is helping us put together some coats, Aprons and Tee Shirts...I'm excited about that!

Photo Compliments of Mark Lindsay

an American Bald Eagle & the John O'Connell Bridge in the background.

Compliments of Carl piplick 111

Thanks Carl

Mike Zarnetske ~ harvested this Halibut!

Plan A. To fish the 28th, 29th, take the 30th off, fly the 1st.

Plan B. Fish the 28th, Take the 29th off, fish the 30th, fly the 1st.

Plan C. Fish the 28th, Sick the 29th, fly home the 30th...

This Halibut was sorely deserved ~
the picture doesn't really tell the whole story.

Mike came back to the dock from his first day fishing, and 'Sea Sick'. Or so rumor had it. Off we go to Market Center (a local market) for the CURE.

With said CURE in hand and my expert advise, Mike and I agreed to stay in touch via phone and talk later that evening about the next days events.

Given the way he felt coupled with a 'funny' color to his complexion, he was pretty skeptical about if he was going to fish the next day at all. He didn't expect that the seas would 'get' him so early in the day and while Salmon fishing!

Well? The Mom in me kicked in while talking to him and I suggested that folks who are Sea Sick don't turn THAT color - they turn a DIFFRENT color ~ I suggested that maybe ~ just maybe ~ he was coming down with 'something'...

Mike still flew home with a box of fish he had caught along with some 'hope you feel better smoked salmon'.

Thanks Mike! Take care!

From: "Mike Zarnetske"
To: reel.affair@att.net
Subject: Checking in
Date: Mon, 3 Jul 2006

Hello Octobre,

Thank you very much once again for the hospitality you showed towards me. I appreciate the change in schedule you were able to accommodate, and I appreciate the extra smoked salmon you tossed in the box.

The Salmon that was shipped arrived without any problems to my dad, and I made a lot of friends happy with the Halibut and smoked Salmon I took back to Seattle. It took me a few days but I am doing much better.

Still it was a Bummer that I had to get sick on my VACATION in ALASKA!!

By the way, did you keep my fishing licence from the day I did go out?
If so, could you mail it back to me as it is something I want to keep as a memento.

Beyond getting sick, the Sitka experience was great. Steve and Mike
were excellent on board and the rest of your crew did a hell of a job.

Please pass along my sincere thanks to everyone, especially to Mike and Steve for the day they had to deal ith "Green Mike." I know there was a picture or two of me with the fish I caught. Is there a chance they are planned for the webpage, or did I look too sick ??

:o) I would like to get copies of the pics if they are available?

Thanks again for everything!!
All the best!
Mike

Don Lee ~

Nice halibut Don!

Don Lee

Don fished along side his wife MArtha for 6 consecutive days. They shared the boat with Mike Zaenetske, John Drello and Tervor Sayer.

Martha harvest this beautiful King Salmon.

Both avid anglers they fished 6 days meaning their last two days they caught and released Kings as they had their limits. 1 King they released was larger that those they had retained ~ figures!

From: Marty and Don Lee
To: reel.affair@worldnet.att.net

Subject: Can't stop thinking about our trip & what a wonderful time we had.
Date: Sun, 3 Sep 2006

Octobre & Tim,
We had six great days of fishing and had a wonderful time. Steve and Mike were the best crew. We truly feel like we made new friends. We hope to make it an annual event. We are recommending you to everyone.

Marty Hart Lee
Follow your Hart-Lee-Art

Martha harvest this nice halibut coming in at 50 pounds.

Because they chose to fish 6 days, many of those days they were very selective about the halibut they retained, releasing ones they determinrd to be small in size.

Martha Lee ~ in the background is Carl Herring who fished with his grandson Jacob ~ Nice folks.

A local commercial fishing boat, the gentleman who fishes this boat has fished it as long as I can remember.

the commercial King opening has now begun beginning July 1st. The opening is relatively short lasting 5 days or more depending on the commercial fleets collective harvest. it is the pounds harvested which determines the closure.

Hopefully the commercial fleet will do well and the prices are good! they are a hard working bunch of men and women

these fellows troll (Hook and Line) for their Kings. The condition the fish is in when it is sold to the commercial fish processing plants, the better that fish 'pays'.

A beautiful bright King with no scales missing, and 40 degrees or less will pay top dollar. If it is a hatchery fish and has the slightest 'blush' to it's skin the less it pays to the boat.
More color = Less money.

The fish are graded on arrival.
# 1 are perfect ~ Fish which have a light blush to their skin although very pretty - do not pay as well ~ and so on...

the Allure is motoring past St Lazaria Island a bird refuge.

L to R
Michael Harris
mark Orton
Greg Orton
& Dean Orton

Mark, Mike, Greg and Dean ~
King, King, King, & King. :)

Thanks again Gentlemen.

Mark Orton

Mark, his two brothers, his dad Dean and a good friend joined us for three days of fishing ~

Their pictures are slightly out of date order (Sorry Mark ~ ) They fished with us during the recent period of time it rained and blew, for an unreasonably long period of time. Not typical weather ~

It's not uncommon for it to blow - typically it is 9 to 12% of a 110 day charter season. It will blow for a day and quit - but this weather lasted for a little more than a week.

Reguardless of the bad weather they fished every day harvesting Halibut and Salmon.

Greg Orton

Photo Compliments of Rob Chambers

John Gilbert ~

She's a beauty John! Nice job!

Lenny has fished with us 10 years? 11? He knows ~ 23 individual ocassions. (yup! twice a year!)

Hi Nellie!

Cheryl Luttrell ~ Beautiful King Cheryl!

Cheryl fished along side her husband David ~ and 'fishing buddies: Lennie Ambrose and John Gilbert.

these 4 folks met last year ~ 2 groups Ambrose: pty of 1 and Luttrell: pty of 3. I scheduled them all onto one boat, filling one of our boats with 4 anglers. The result?

They all met up this year in Sitka (planned) and fished together for three days. They'll meet up again in early August for another charter with us.

Good people, fun time! (for us too!)

Dave Luttrell

Another day & another King Salmon in the life of Cheryl Luttrell

L to R

Tim Floyd
Scott Fewel
Allen Floyd
Pat Floyd

These gentlemen did as the Nist party earlier this month did.

They caught an early flight from SEATAC (Seattle) arriving in Sitka at 9:32 A.M.

We discussed the possibility of checking in at the Westmark, but since the rooms were not yet ready for occupancy, we headed straight to the harbor where their boat was warmed up and running. Their Deckhand Darius met them at the ramp and showed them to their boat making the introductions to their captain.

Out fishing they went!

Back to the dock by 4 - 4:30, they had dinner and were up and at it early day 2. teir third and finala day, the chose to target Salmon, and came in early.

In a nut shell they fished two full days, which spaned the course of 3 ~ each gentleman taking home 46 or 47 pounds of fillets.

It's a beautiful fish! Nice job Pat. We all hope you and your partners had a good time! you were all a pleasure to fish! Thank you!

Pictured is Pat Floyd

Pictured: Tim Floyd.

I don't know what is is about a 'power vacation' that I like so much ~ It's just the idea of the whole thing. ~ A power vacation is what I call it when folks;

1.) fly in
2.) hit the boat running
3.) fish, fish, fish
4.) fly home

All without practically taking a breath. I blink. They're here. I blink and POOF! They're gone!

Fish and Fly all the same day ~ wow


Thanks guys!

L to R

Scott Fewel
Allen Floyd

L to R

Allen Floyd
Scott Fewel
Pat Floyd
Tim Floyd

Hiding from the camera (far back right) is Chris Titus their deckhand.

Photo Compliments of Bob Gagnon

kevin O'Brien has a stong history of fishing Sitka ~ he has lived here. Kevin now resides in sunny California.

Thank you Kevin ~! nice Fish!

These two gentlemen shared the boat with Rich Lavigne, and Kevin Muldoon.

L to R
Al Forsythe
Kevin O'Brien

Kevin Muldoon

Rich Lavigne and his Grandson, Kevin shared their boat with two other anglers; Kevin O'Brien and Al Forsythe.

Kevin Muldoon was invited by his granpa Rich Lavigne on a fishing trip to Sitka, Alaska.

After his 3 day trip with his granpa, they'll head back to New England (east coast) to head off for a 6 week 4H camp. He told me that the first week of camp had just begun, and he'd be starting as soon as he got home.

Kevin Muldoon 12 yrs old, and his Granpa, Rich Lavigne

Rich Lavigne

Rich and Kevin departed today on AK AIR # 72 departing Sitka 6 A.M. They have a few hours of travel time to get under their belt before getting home late tonight.

Their fish was frozen to -25 degrees, and wrapped in an insulated blanket which gives the the protection of 1" of styrofoam. It is sure to arrive safe and sound.

Safe Travels, Stay in touch.
Thank you Both!

From: Rich Lavigne
To: reel.affair@worldnet.att.net
Subject: 2006 fishing trip
Date: Tue, 18 Jul 2006

Hello Octobre

Just a quick note to let you know that Kevin and I had a wonderful trip with Alaskan Reel Affair and hope to see you again soon.

Kevin cannot wait to get back there again and I have another grandson who is dying to go to Alaska, fishing.

The boxes of fish were in excellent shape when we returned home. Good job.

Captain Gary and mate Roman were the best. Hope they are still with you when we return.

Thanks again, Rich Lavigne

Thanks for the kind words Rich ~ see you soon, and stay in touch!
O.

Allan and Flo Sheridan

Flo is a school teacher who finished school this year. Her last day of school was the day before she and Allan flew into Sitka.

She was tired ~ I know this because she told me.

She and Allan fished every day, 3 days straight. Hopefully she slept like a baby every night. (except for her arrival night...Story is to follow.) It's a good one to if i do say so myself ~ hehe

A Fishing Vacation. Hmmmm.

Now that it's over Flo is due for a massage, a hot sauna, and a jacuzzi might be nice, a nap, a nice long nap, on a feather bed, or by a pool, with sommmeone close by when she awakens to pour her some refreshing iced tea. A pedicure would be nice...and a facial...and another nap...

Gorgeous King Flo!

Flo is a school teacher. Her Last day of school was the day before she flew into Sitka to fish to fish 10 hours a day.

I know she was tired, she had said so.

Now she really needs a vacation. She dust isn't looking for a fishing vacation. A vacation that taunts her with facials, pedicures, massages, and a hot tob ~ a really nice hot tub. And a nap! A really nice long nap .... by a pool ~ and when she awakens? Someone to peel her grapes...

Oh, wait ~ maybe that's my vacation

Flo and Allan Sheridan ~ Each year they fish they have a Crab & Shrimp trip.


Nice folks. Really nice folks.

Rain forest ~ We fish in a Rain Forest ... But the bright smile, and the bright King Salmon sure brightened Allan's morning!

Well, we don't actually fish IN the Rain Forest ~ the Rain Forest surrounds our fishing grounds.

Nice Catch Allan!

Flo and Allan Sheridan

So, let's see, what can I say ~

The Bad News:
The airlines lost their luggage. You know which one ~ the important one; the one with their own rain gear.

The Good News: The Airlines delivered it that evening.

The Bad News: It arrived on the LATE flight, so the hotel called their room at 1:10 A.M. to announce it's arrival.

The Good News: The fire alarms work at the hotel.

The Bad News: The Fire Alarm sounded twice ~ emptying the hotels residents into the street. It was raining! (remember now, no rain gear...)

Good News: False alarm.

Bad News: It was a faulty circuit breaker in the kitchen which could not be reset, so dinner was a cold salad.

Good News ~ The second alarm was a false alarm also.

Bottom Line ~ they had a great time!

Thanks folks for everything! See you next year!

Leaving our 'slip' in Sealing Cove and headed to the fishing grounds 5:40 A.M.

Photo Compliments of Bob Gagnon ~ Thanks Bob.

Dick Hannula, his son Dan friend Steve Paschall and Dick's grandson Ben Hannula.

These folks have fished with us since 2001 ~

I looked at Ben and had that classic thought 'I remember when Ben was just this tall...'

Nice looking Kings gentlemen.

Ben Hannula and Steve Paschall.

Nice making your aquaintance Steve. We hope to see you in the future!

Thanks You to Dan, Dick Steve and Ben.

Dick and Dan Hannula.

Thank you both! See you next year!

Jeremy Harlan

Nice Catch! the seas have been lumpy to say the least, but then everything began settling in - and the halibut come aboard!

Typically i't rough seas due to winds 9 to 12 % of a 110 day season ~ but these last two weeks have been trying...

finally good seas in the forcast!

Nice Line Up ~ Jeremy Harlan, brother Matt, and His father Dan.

Jeremy Harlan ~ it took a few years to get this trip together but they finally made it happen.

Matt Harlan

Matt harvested this very nice Yellow Eye while fishing Halibut in the noon hours.


He is a chef, so there was never one word from him about cooking his seafood.

Dan Harlan - A very nice Halibut in the 50# class.

Congrats!

One Bull (far left) with his Harem.

It's no wonder they get a bit 'Touchy'.

Hear him? Ladies....Ladies....LADIES!

Jack Larned ~ Jack has a history as a gunner on a fighter plane in World War 11.

Jack has fished with us every year since 2001. Tim fishes him every year and truly enjoys the time he spends with Jack.

L to R

Deckhand Chase Zeman and our Guest Jack Larned.

Take good care jack ~ See you next year.

Robbie MacNidchol ~ Jack's grandson.

Nice King Robbie!

Not a shy young man in the least ~ he was fun for me to be around.

Carter MacNichol, Jack's nephew and Robbie's dad.

Eric Westrom

Beautiful fish Eric! Eric is a friend of Jack's. Eric has accompanied JAck last year and this year.

Fishing is just good ~ it dosen't matter who you are.

Anglers are:

Jeff VanDrie
Frankliyn Craun
john van Drie

Diesel Powered Turbo Charged cruising between 20 and 24 knots. We fish 4 anglers per boat. (We fish 5 boats) Along with your captain and deckhand.

Photo compliments of Bob Gagnon. Thank you Bob.

All boats have heated enclosed cabins & a dinette which comfortably seats 4 adults.

L to R

Thor Edman
Ferd Nist
Elizabeth Simon
& Wendy McGee

Thank you folks.

Ferd Nist
Wendy McGee
Beth Simon
Thor Edman

Ferd and Thor left Sitka early the morning of the 22nd Destination? Juneau to meet up with more family members - then off to Yakatat for more fishing!

We'll ship his fish via Fed Ex to his chosen destination.

Thompson Harbor houses the majority of our commercial fleet.

Photo compliments of Bob Gagnon
bob fished early June.

Subject:
Alaska fishing trip pics (Benerakis, Gagnon, et al) album

Hi Tim and Octobre,

I've loaded some of my pics into this AOL album. Hopefully you can copy any you like from there (better than trying to send them via email).

Bob Gagnon

Thanks so much Bob!

L to R

Ron Pickens
Deckhand Roman Sorokin
Roger Lessard
Halibut
Cpt'n Jeremy Twaddle

(what's Ron doin'?

OK Now ... Ron (far left) is even more intent on what ever 'IT' is he is doing...

There is all this other stuff going on around him ~ just what is he doing?

Going back a few years: There is this entire 'Day Glo Orange Hat' thing ~ and then the Doll thing, and now Anglers and Crew are beginning to all look alike...

Oh Mi Gosh! The cabin on the boat ~ it has an Orange Glo...

The Crew for Roger Lessard and Ron Pickens. (highly trained professionals)

Action Shot!

Ron Pickens

L to R

Ron Pickens
King Salmon
King Salmon
Roger Lessard

: )

Low Clouds. Rain. Cool temperatures.

~ and still just beautiful.

Dan Tiberio fished with his friends and fellow fellow anglers traveling to us from our Easterly neighbor, Canada.

Thats a beauty Dan!

Jim Seweryn

A full day of Crab and Shrimping ~

L to R

Denny Brausen
Gerald Lewis
Jim Seweryn
Dan Tiberio

Another pot pu;lled ~ Lilmits on Dungeness Crab are 5 per person per day, and the shell of the Crab must be 6 1/2 inches across. Only males may be retained.

(It's a dirty job ~ but sombody has to do it)

Got Crabs?

L to R

Dan Tiberio
Jim Seweryn
Denny Brausen
Gerald Lewis

Denny Brausen

Gerald (Killer) Lewis

Grrrrr

From L to Right ~ Back Row First

Jim Seweryn ~ (Philosopher)
Denny Brausen
Dan Tibireo
Gerald Lewis

Thank you gentlemen!

Denny Brausen ~ Under this cool calm exterior lies the heart of a 'Halibut Slayer!'

You'll most likely see bear when crab and shrimping. A Mom with cubs.

Scott McComb fished along side his Dad Charles, and Brother Don.

Pictured here is Scott McComb.

L to R

Dad ~ Charles McComb
Don McComb
Scott McComb

Charles, Don and Scott McComb

Just once more look ~ because the weather was bad ~ and Scott and his family were so nice, and that King!

nice goin' Scott!

It's a nice little B&B; - It has several bed rooms, a full kitchen, a hot tub, and you may even sleep in the top!

Photo Compliments of Carl Piplick 111

These two gentlemen shared the boat with Mary and Pablo Montano

We fish 4 anglers to a boat. Along with a captain and deckhand. Often it happens that 2 individuals will fish and we will couple them up with two other anglers on the same boat. This is how these folks met.

Tracy Robbins

All those who fished Sitks waters for this last week or so, had some 'not nice weather' ~ the winds blew, the seas did not cooperate ~ but they went fishing every day. They harvested King's, some Rock fish, and the slect few (the brave of heart) harvested a few Halibut. Winds were such that boats were dragging anchor, making a hard time keeping bait on the bottom.

Is the weather always like this? No... Typically we have 9% to 12% of a 100 day season with winds and high seas ~ never does it continue on as it has done recently.

To see the wind and water conditions for any given day along with the 'catch rate' go to our 'How's fishing' link found on our 'Trips' page.

Three Eagles ~

Photo Compliments of Carl Piplick 111

This couple fished 3 Days, June 17, 18, 19, relaxing and enjoying 2 non-fishing days at the end of their charter with us. They'll depart for home the 22nd.

From: "PABLO MONTANO"
To: reel.affair@att.net
Subject: RE: octobre / alaskan reel affair charters
Date: Sat, 24 Jun 2006

Octobre,
Pablo and I would like to thank you and your staff for a wounderful time we
had fishing with you. We opened your website the day after we got back enjoyed the pictures you put in.

Thanks Again and Take Care.
Pablo and Mary

You are very welcome! ~ octobre

Mary Montano

Pablo Montano sporting 2 beautiful King Salmon (Chinook). One is Mary's fish and the other is Pablo's. I believe it was on their last day of fishing everyone on the boat agreed Mary had landed the largest King for that day.

Nice going Mary!

Fishing for King Salmon can be done more than one way ~ Our guests may Mooch, Motor Mooch, Drift Mooch, Troll, or Jig.

What determines the method you fish is preference, concentration (numbers) of fish in any given place, and the depth they are in the water column. Captains and deckhands will guide you in making the correct choice for the circumstances.

Sitka has miles of beautifully maintained hiking trails for all skill levels.

Many guests choose to take additional non-fishing days in Sitka spending their leisure time as they choose.

Marty Gragg boating King Salmon.

L to R
Marty Gregg ~ group Leader
Deck hand ~ Chris Titus
Cody Dales
Cpt'n Jeremy Twaddle

Members of this Party are;

Marty Gragg
Dan Bazinette
Chase (C.J.) Bews
Daniel Bews
Jake Bews
Bradley Dales
Cody Dales
Kurt Lewis
Nick Lewis
Mark Mezzanares
Jack VanLiew

Marty Gregg, and in the background is Dan Bazinette

Dan Bazinette

Mark Mezzanares ~ Nice job on rough seas - no easy task harvesting this 82 pound halibut!

Pictured here are

Brad Dales
Marty Gragg
Dan Bazinette
Cody Dales

Yes! we supply rain gear ~ Fishing in a 'Rain Forest' ...

Thank you gentlemen.

L to R

Brad and Cody Dales
Marty Gragg
Daniel Bazinette

The following information has been submitted from Alaskan Reel Affair
Charters Web Site Contact Form

Name = Brad Dales
Comments = Octobre, Brad wanted to thank you for an excellent time but we
were wondering if Jeremy turned in his camera yet, as we have many people
waiting to see the pictures from Jeremy's boat of Brad & Cody. Thank you, Debra Dales

Finally secured my camera ~ there you go!

Action Shot!

Bottom Right is MArty Gragg taking a photo, Chris Netting someones fish ~ The three other anglers on this boat are:
Dan Bazinette
Cody Dales
Brad Dales

Kurt Lewis

Jack Van Liew ~ Nice Catch!

Mark Mezzanares ~ Beautiful!

These 'guys' ~ had it all ~ Bad weather ~ Rough seas ~ Winds ~ and a really good time!

go figure!

Kurt Lewis

L to R

C.J. Bews
Nick Lewis
Kurt Lewis

Nice show of Kings Men!

C.J. Bews harvested this King Salmon ~ Nice work!

Bradley Dales - harvest this King.

L to R

Brad Dales (with the fish...)
Cpt'n Jeremy Twaddle
Deckhand Chris Titus
& Group leader Marty Gragg

C.J.'s and Jake's dad ~ Dan Bews

(action shot!)

Dan Bews

Rumer has it C.J. Bews scored a couple of friendly $$$ pots $$$

Cool!

Nice ~ Congrats C.J.

Good picture!

The structure to the far right is the Westmark Hotel.

To the left is the Cathedral Arms Apts.

The Onion Dome's are those belonging to Saint Michaels Russian Orthodox Cathedral.

Photo Compliments of Rob Chambers

Darreld, Keith. Ken, Doug

Good Day?

Photo Compliments of Keith Aubry ~ Thank you Keith!

From: "Keith Aubry"
To:
Subject: Aubry Party 6-14-06
Date: Sun, 18 Jun 2006

Octobre,

Here's a picture that Zack asked me to send to you for your album. Thanks again to you, Tim, Zack, and Darius for another perfect fishing trip to Sitka.

We all had a great time and got lots and lots of fish, as always.

You guys are the best. See you next time. Best regards, Keith

Your a very welcome Keith!

Doug Houston is pictured here with a beautiful King salmon (Chinook).

Doug fished along side
Keith Aubry
Ken Raedeke &
Darreld Houston

Ken Raedeke with his King Salmon ~ it just does not take all day to get your Kings. The late morning ~ afternoon hours are spent fishing the bottom fish. Halibut, Yellow Eye, Ling Cod, & Rock Fish.

Darreld Houston

Very Nice King!
Congrats!

Group Leader ~ Keith Aubry

Keith last fished with us in 2001. He gave us a call one evening just prior to the start of our Sacrament Show.

Nice to see you again Keith!

Congratulations on collaring the Wolf! (good story!)

Nice King Salmon too!

Keith harvested this Ling Cod.

The Ling Cod Closure was June 15th, and this party of anglers fished the 13, 14, and 15 ~ just in the nick of time... The slot limit on Ling Cod is 30 to 40 inches. Anything less than 30" or larger than 40" must be released.

Darreld Houston pictured with a Ling Cod & Yellow Eye.

Dan Bazinette

The story goes like this ~ these four guys were fishin' the fish was hooked and swimming hard and jumping ~ someone held out the net and WHAM! In the boat...

L to R

Darreld Houston
Doug Houston
Ken Raedeke
Keith Aubry

Thank You Gentlemen.

Hump Back Whale

Photo Complimentrs of Carl Piplick 111


Thanks again Gentlemen.
Octobre

L to R

Charles Spatafore
Carl Piplick Jr.
Bob Gravelle (Charles's Son In Law)
Carl Piplick 111

The morning bite was on ~ nice job!

Bob Gravelle with a beautiful Ling Cod and Yellow Eye

Photo Compliments of Carl Piplick 111

Bob Gravelle ~

These 4 gentlemen split their catch equally between the 4 of them.

(thanks so much for everything guys!)

From: "Bob Gravelle"
To: "Alaskan Reel Affair Charters"

Date: Fri, 23 Jun 2006

The following information has been submitted from the Alaskan Reel Affair
Charters Web Site Contact Form


Name = Bob Gravelle
Comments = Hi Octobre, Just wanted to touch base and thank you all so much
for the great time we shared on our all-inclusive trip (June 12th-16th) Piplick
party of four...

...The pictures came out great and the experience was one in a lifetime that I will never forget... We plan on coming back again... it will be the third time around for Charlie & Carl.

I'll see you at the Sacramento show! Take care, Bob

Bob, Thanks for the e-mail helping me understand how you are all related. I hope i have it correct now.
Octobre

Action Shot!

Carl Piplick Jr.

Good Friends, Family, Good dinner, a full day of fishing ~ Not a bad Day. Not bad at all.

Dinner and a Putting Green ~ Dinner is provided on your fishing days. One of the restaurants on your voucher will be the Sea Mountain Golf Course.

L to R
Carl Piplick Jr. & Charles Spatafore ~ Brothers in Law

Halibut ~ it's whats for dinner!

Pulling in this Halibut was a collective effort they said upon my meeting up with them at the dock.

148 pounds ~

Pictured is Carl Piplick jr.

All Pictures of the Piplick Fishing PArty were compliments of them. Thank you Gentlemen, for everything ~ includidng the 'goodie boxs'.

L. to R.

Charles Spatafore; Brother in Law to Carl Piplick Jr. Far Right.
Carl Piplick 111: Son of Carl Jr.
Bob Gravelle; Charlie's Son in Law.

L to R

a joint effort between:
Bob Gravelle
Carl Piplick 111

7 Not shown:
Carl Piplick Jr.
Charles Spatafore


via e-mail ~ JUNE 2007
Comments = Hi Octobre, I was wondering if you had anything available for June 2007?
I will be with a different group next year. I have some friends who have seen my photos and are just dieing to go.

Please let me know if you have
anything with our favorite Captain Jeremy.

Bob G.

We live and fish with the Tongass National Rain Forest surrounding us. ~ Some days are sunny and with blue skys.
Others are overcast. But always beautiful.

An excellent day for these two brothers. James fished with us in 2005 with his uncle Alex, and Brought his brother with him for 2006. Erich harvested this Halibut along with one coming in at 73 pounds on the next to last day of his trip.

Today their last day fishing: they came in early ~ after a morning of salmon fishing. They were happy, had plenty of fish and were gooing to take the rest of the day enjoying a hot showers, a nap and some good food. (4 days fishing: 150lbs each in the box...)

On a sad note, Jim who treated his Uncle Alex to Alex's first Alaskan fishing trip with us in 2005 has since passed on.

Jim saw to it that Alex had his trip to Alaska, then took him hunting in the lower 48 to shoot his first Black Tail Deer. Both things Alex had only dreamed of doing until Jim made it happen for him. Alex will be missed.

L to R

Erich Burghard and his brother Jim

L to R

Jim and Erich Burghard (diffrent day)

We're going to send them home a little tired, a little sore and really happy.

See off to the left there?

Erich?

On the phone?

He calling his neighbor to fill him in on the Catch!

Looking from the Westmark Hotel towards Crescent Harbor.

Photo compliments of Rob Chambers

Ronney Wong
Darren Wong
Joe Lunnon

Three of our party of 6. Each group of 3 went Crab and Shrimping for a two days (4 days in all)

L to R

Rick Keintz
gaylord Imura
Jerry Keintz

Hoe on Earth does Cpt'n Tim get you guys to behave like that??

Rick Keintz
Jerry Keintz
Gaylord Imura

Joe Lunnon

Pictured is Ronney Wong

From: Ronney_Wong
To: reel.affair@worldnet.att.net
Subject: HOWDY !!!!!!!!!!!
Date: Tue, 11 Jul 2006

I just wanted to say hello to you guys, and thank both of you, for everything.

I, as well as the others had a great time, and are in the beginning stages of planning for next year, for probably around the same time. I hopfully will have a bigger group this time, as people who saw the pictures, became really interested, and these people aren't just the " WANNA GO " type, who usually don't.

Well, things have been pretty busy around here, 'stuff' here, and 'stuff' there, you know, usual 'stuff.'

Anyway, you guys take care, and hope to see both of you down here soon.

Ronney Wong


Ronney ~ I sent back an e-mail and have quoted you dates ~ let me know ~ Till then ~ Our best to all!

O.
Thank you!

Jerry Keinitz

Salmon Fishin'

Photo of Rick Keintz

Ronney and Darren Wong

Rick Keintz

Brian King fished along side his dad Tom.

Nice going Brian!

Thank you!

Two full days of Crab and Shrimping were in order for these gentlemen.

Rod Jones
Chris Jones
Dale Jones
Doc Lauden

Nice ~ The weather, the fishing the shrimping ~ all combined to make a great trip.

Dale Jones with a 91 Pound Halibut

L to R

Rod Jones
Chris Jones
Dale Jones
Doc Lauden

Dungeness Crab ~

Limits for these crab are 5 per person per day, and must be male and 6 1/2 inches in width across the shell. These crab exceed those size limits.

A person may consume in excess of their dock limits, which is refered to as processing at sea.

A cooker, melted butter ~ pretty good!

dale Jones ~ Yellow Eye ~ A pan some butter and your done! Yellow Eye is a very firm fleshed white meat. Mild in flavor, no fishie taste.

Your seafood should never have a fishie taste...it should have a mild fresh smell and taste depending on the specie.

Doc Lauden with the "Catch of the Day"

Nice!

Nice show gentlemen ~ Thank you!

The Jones Party
2 full days of Crab & Shrimping, with another 2 full days of Combination Fishing for Salmon, Halibut, Ling Cod, Yellow Eye, and Rock fish.

Dungeness Crab

Nice! really Nice!

L to R

Joe Lunnon
Darren wong
Ronney Wong

Thanks guys, for everything!

Doug has fished with us since 2001.

These last two years he has fished twice each year!

Thank you Doug for everything ~ See you in August!

Doug Fished along side Rudy and Jonathan Resendez

Rudy Resendez

Congratulations Rudy!

Rudy camr up to Sitka with his son Jonathan. They fished side by side for 3 days, havesting Halibut, Coho, Salmon, Yellow Eye and some Rock Fish.

It was a good trip.

Jonathan Resendez ~ It was perfect weather for fishing the morning bite.

When Rudy and Jonathan have fished their King Salmon, they'll hear out for a day of bottom fishing.

Rudy Resendez ~ A great beginning to his retirement ~ Looks happy dosen't he?

Thanks so much guys! Stay in touch.

Jonathan on the Right ~ fished along side his dad Rudy. Rudy's wife Margaret arranged for this 'trip of a lifetime' as a retirement gift. It was arranged, kept secret, and given to him at his retirement party.

You're a very thoughtful woman Margaret!

L to R
Erich Burkhard
Jim Burkhard
Jonathan Resendez

Same guys diffrent day ~ Boring? I think not!

Limits on King (Chinook) are one per person per day with an annual bag limit of 4.

these fish are feeders and not yet ready to go to a river to spawn. This meat is firm and fresh and the type you will find in your better restaurants.

King Salmon are the largest of the salmon Species. They are excellent.

L to R
David Camara
Jason Clark
Bob Gagnon
Dr. Joe

Dr. joe and Bob Gagnon spent the day Crab and Shrimping with Loretta Mitchell and Bob Hendry. This was Bob and Loretta's last day out on the waters of Sitka.

Joe and Bob Gagnon then continued on with their trip with 'new' friends; Jason Clark and Dave Camara. These 4 gentlemen; Joe, Bob Dave and Jason joined back up in 2006 for more fishing.

Pictured is Joe Benerakis & Joe Gagnon

Dr. Joe

L to R

David Camara
Bob Gagnon
Joe Benerakis
Jason Clark

Bob E-mailed this picture he had taken when exiting Sealing Cove one morning.

Thank you Bob!

Sitka is one of the cruise lines most desireable ports of call simple due to it's natural beauty.

L to R

Larry and Greg Hanson ~ Father & Son

(nice guys)

Larry lost his baggage prior to ever entering the airport. The shuttle driver handed off the wrong bags.

These two have been fishing together as long as Greg can remember.

Greg Hanson sporting this very nice 35 pound white King Salmon.

(biggest to date)

Larry; As I promised ~ let me know how many proposals come in!

Much to everyones pleasure whales are spotted continously.

Photo Compliments of Rob Chambers

Bob Traup
Barry Kidd
Andrew Pulver
Don Pulver

These gentlemen came to us off an Alaskan Cruise ~ wanting to avoid booking through the cruise lines. We picked them up at the Litering Dock taking him straight to his Captain and Deckhand who had the engine running & ready to go. these 4 angles chose a 1/2 day of Salmon fishing.

Mission Sucessfull for everyone.

Bob Traup
Barry Kidd
Andrew Pulver
Donald Pulver

I need to apologise ~ our conversations were via E-mail. I am unable to put names with your faces. ~ I'm sorry gentlemen!

Thank You Gentlemen! ~ When they return home from their cruise they'll give me a call to arrange for shipment of their catch.

L to R

Kevin Carter
Rick Carter
Bob Satterthwaite
Larry Willis

Kevin Carter ~ Very nice Ling Cod -

39 inches...

The slot limit for Ling Cod is 30 ~ 40 inches.

L to R

Larry Willis
Kevin Carter
Rick Carter
Bob Satterthwaite

Bob Satterthwaite and Deckhand Roman Sorokin

A memorable trip for these gentlemen on several levels - Weather, Fishing, Perfect Halibut, Comradreie, and for Kevin, well, you'll just have to ask him if you see him...

Bob, Rick, Larry and Kevin

Take care gentlemem ~ we'll see you again!

Action Shot!
(gotta love those)

Brothers: Kevin and Rick Carter

The 'Cosway' is a small set of islands connected back in world War 11 eara by army engineers. It holds a hospital, and other nessessary buildings ~ underground.

Photo compliments of Rob Chambers

L to R

Sheryl McKinney and her husband Orie

Sheryl says to me early one morning (day 2) 'you're right Octobre, what you said...my arms i'm a little sore! But i'm having so much fun!'

Like I say; When you leave for home (if not sooner) you will be a little bit tired, a little bit sore and very happy!

sharyl McKinney and Orie McKinney

these folks had a great time ~ their trip is now complete. Check out the fish report for an idea of what they and others who fished during the same time frame harvested.

They have chosen to remain in Sitka for one more day. 'A Lay Day'. A full non-fishing day of sleeping in and site seeing.

Mc Kinney's shared the boat with the Morinaka Party.

Sheryl was taunted and teased by her fellow anglers ~ But the brief time I've spent with her I suspect that she 'held her own'.

See you and your folks next year!

Orie McKinney

Photo Compliments of the McKinney family.

Sheryl and Orie passed on a couple of CD's they had made of the pictures they had taken during their stay in Sitka.

Thank you folks!

Sheryl McKinney harvested this Ling Cod. the McKinney family passed on this photo of Sheryl along with a note on the CD cover.

Via E-mail:
Hi Octobre, thought you would get a kick out of this. I called one of my
fishing buddies at work and even though I don't go back to work until the 14th, he remembered the website, printed out all the pictures and is passing them around to my co-workers. Don't be supprised if you get a few sign ups next year because I have alot of fishing buddies and now they have
seen the proof. They were very impressed.

Thanks again and hope things are going good for you!

Cheryl

Note: Zach and Darius were great! We had a great time. Sheryl was so tired after reeling in the Ling Cod that Darius had to hold it up in front of her for a picture of it. She didn't have the stregnth left. Orie caught a 20lb. Silver (Coho).

Thanks so much. This trip was everything we could possibly dream of. What a blast!

Thanks folks, you are very welcome! Octobre

Baranoff Island. Sitka is lcated on it's western shore and is known as the island of 2000 islands. Simply beautiful.

Something to smile about!

Mike Paiya on the left
Ron Morinaka on the right

It just does not take all day to catch the Kings, so there is ample time remainig to harvest Halibut, Yellow Eye, Rock Fish & Ling Cod.

Michael Paiya offering homage for his 'catch' to the fish gods.

Appears to be a lilttle on the heavy side...

ron Morinaka ~ Nice very Nice

Congratualtions!

How to fish Halibut.

L to R

Ron Morinaka and Mike Paiya

Ron Morinaka ~ Photo compliments of the McKinney family

Mike Paiya ~ Photo compliments of the McKinney family. Sheryl McKinney is seen to the far right.

Nice gentlemen!

L to R
Bruce Clark and Jim Ezell

the fellows fished for three days, and in their 'off' time I have spotted them here and there. Everywhere actually ~ always a smile on their faces and looking like they are laughing and just having a ball!

Thank you gentlemen.

Action Shot!

Photo is of Bruce Clark

Pictured is Jim Ezell good 'fishin' buddy' of Bruce. Jim is holding the King Salmon (chinook) he and Bruce harvested on the morning bite.

Jim Ezell is pictured with some nice sized halibut!

Jim and Bruce finished their charter today, June 7th and as opposed to flying out tomorrow, they will most likely sleep in a little bit, then enjoy the day taking in the sites and local 'color'.

I tell folks ~ "we're going to send you home a little bit tired, a little bit sore and pretty happy"

Jim and Bruce want to share equally in each others catch, and so they have chosen to split all the species they harvested over the last three days equally. We will make this split for them in our 'fish house'.

Yellow Eye

A little Sizzling Butter in a pan, a nice Yellow Eye Fillet, and your done!

(Bruce really is happy ~ honest!)

Beautiful fish. Perfect weather. Good fishin' with a good friend.

Sitka, although not on the itineraries of all the large cruise lines, it is on some. It's one of their most desired locations. Folks who choose this intinerary do so because Sitka is one of the ports a ship has chosen to anchor in. The ships come into port apx. 5am to 6 am almost daily except Sunday. The departures can be as early as 1 pm for some and 5pm to 6 pm for others.

On this specific day June 7th, we had 4 ships ~ bringing with them 6000 guests. The population of Sitka is 8500.

Our charter fishing guests (All Inclusive) leave the docks prior to the ship passengers disembarking, and return to Sealing Cove between 4 and 4:30 pm having the town to themselves as the cruise line passengers are preparing for another port of call.

The Wilson Men ~ These gentlemen harvested two very nice halibut, and some Ling Cod.

Not Pictured is Don Wilson

Pictured:
Jordan Wilson
Marc Wilson
Craig Wilson

Jordan Wilson ~ Came with carry on luggage and 1 personal item a skate board!

Nice King Jordan!

Marc Wilson - These men had a very sucessful trip ~ When we arrived at the airport, pulling up behind one our 'fish' trucks Don Wilson commented saying "Where is our fish? Is that ours? That's not our fish ~ No thats not ours"...

Yes it was! They were happy, tired, probably a little sore, but i didn't ask about the sore part.

Bannnor catch!

Craig Wilson
Jordan Wilson
Don Wilson
Marc Wilson

Thank you for fishing with us gentlemen.

Sitka Channel as seen from under the John O'Connell Bridge. The Rocky Guttierrez Airport runway is straight ahead & Sealing Cove past the marker on the right.

All our boats are moored at Sealing Cove.

Left to Right

Loretta Mitchell
Bob Hendry
Chuck leazer
Buzz Leazer

I see 2 Kings, and a couple of nice Coho? A bit early for Coho, but our guests have harvested a few.

May and June is primarily King Salmon. By mid-July the coho are in and the balance changes. Coho become the predominant salmon specie in our area.

Bob brought along Loretta Mitchel who joined him on two of his 4 days fishing.

L to R

Buzz Leazer
Chuck (Charles) Leazer
Bob Hendry
& Mr. Bennet

These folks who hail from Carson City Nevada chose a day of crab and shrimping.

Thank you folks ~ Good seeing you again.

(Bob is smiling!)

He was hungry ~ probably not quite so hungry now!

L to R

Chuck Leazer treated his dad Floyd (Buzz) to 4 full days of fishing.

we coupled Chuck and his dad 'Buzz' with two other anglers.

L to R
Bob Hendry
their Deck Hand Chris Titus
Mr. Bennett
Buzz Leazer

*not shown Chuck Leazer

Buzz (Floyd) Leazer fishing Halibut

L to R

Buzz Leazer
Bob Hendry
Mr. Bennett
Chuck Leazer

If you look closely you will see homes. Many folks choose to make their homes on the neighboring smaller islands inside Sitka Sound. Getting into town for work? They travel by skiff.

Dell Barbur

nice!

Those who fished with Dell:
his dad Harry Barbur
and friends Daryl Shephard & Jimmy Stout

Mr. Jimmy Stout fishing morning Kings

This is a good time to casually mention, when fishing Sitka, you'll be fishing in the middle of the Tongass National Forest.

Let me clarify: The Tongass National Rain Forest.

Dell Barbur ~

Work hard. Play hard.

Harry Barbur

Harry fished along side his son Dell Barbur and two of Dells long time friends;
Daryl Shephard
& Jimmy Stout

Thank you gentlemen. See you next year!

L to R

Harry Barbur and his son Dell Barbur. Nice Kings gentlemen.

Daryl Shephard. These gentlemen did well with Ling Cod.

NOAA has determined that the waters of Sitka harbor the largest known breeding groud for Ling Cod.

L to R

Deckhand Chase Zeman
Harry Barbur

Nice job Harry.

Jimmy Stout

A Rain Forest ~ Daryl Shephard fishing Salmon in the middle of a rain forest.

Thanks Darly.

Josh Allen

Josh and Allen took a quick trip to Sitka and Alaskan Reel Affair Charters to 'power fish for two days. It was short quick and sucessful.

L to R

Friends; Don Orning and Josh Allen
shown here with two of the King Salmon they harvested.

Keith Hitesman traveled with his wife Lifa, mom and dad for a sucessful 4 day charter with us.

L to R

Keith Hitesman
Pauline Hitesman
Lisa Hitesman
Tom Hitesman

During the course of their trip with us ~ On day 2 I believe it was ~ it began to blow ~ about 25 knots, right folks? Well all the outfitters came in early that day. (early afternoon)

On our ride back to the Westmark, someone asked about the weather, and I replied "We fish 100+ days each season, and we have probably 9 or so days when the wind kicks up, but it doesn't last, and typically not two days in a row, so don't worry...

I glanced in my rear view mirror at everyone and they all had a very similar expression. An expression that was reminiscent of DOUBT, & "why us"?

(They still left my van laughing and giggling.)

Good folks.

Tom Hitesman aka Santa

Yes Kids, Santa takes vacation and fishes in Sitka, Alaska!

Pauline Hitesman harvested this very nice 82 pound Halibut.

L to R

Tom Hitesman
Lisa Hitesman
Pauline Hitesman
Keith Hitesman

As stories go ~ Rumer about town is that when Pauline landed her fish (especially this one) she rubs her hands together, and her tongue sorta darts in and out.

Lisa does an excellent re-enactment!

Ms. Lisa Hitesman ~ Looking very chic in our Dutch Harbor yellow rain gear harvested her Kings.

Each Year Sitka has it's annual Salmon Derby which runs the last weekend in May, and the first weekend of June.

Several weeks later there is a Derby held for our smaller residence (the kids) who fish in Swan Lake under adult supervision.

The Lake is stocked with trout, and the youngster who 'catches' the llargestl of the 'little' trout win's a derby also!

It's a lot of fun and many young families turn out for the festivities.

Colby Chambers harvested this nice King during the course of his trip!

You know ~ I tell folks - Oat Meal! Have oat meal for breakfast ... Fish like Oat Meal. Colby tells me they like French Toast too! : )

Dan Chambers ~ Three generations fishing together.

Grand-Pa: Dan Chambers
Son: Rob Chambers
Grandson: Colby Chambers

It's what it's all about that! Family, Friends and some good times together.

Dan Chambers fishing along side and with his grandson Colby.

OK. So I'm a little sentimental ~ I just like that kind of thing...

Dan Chambers (action shot!)

Dan Chambers harvested a perfect 82 pound Halibut on the second day of the trip. They (Rob, Dan & Colby met their legal limits on King Salmon and Halibiut. Capt'n Gary Downey radio'd that they would be back to the dock apx 1:30 pm for transportation back to the Westmark.

L to R

Rob Chambers
Dan Chambers
Colby Chambers

Colby, Dan & Rob harvested their Kings by 8 O'Clock a.m., were done fishing Halibut and on their way back home by noon.

naps were in order for some, then some dinner, and a good nights sleep.

Photo's compliments of the crew of the c/v Reel Affair Captain Gary downey and Deck hand Roman Sorokin.

Rob's expression says it all.

From: Chambers Rob Address

To: "'reel.affair@att.net'"

Subject: RE: Fish report
Date: Thu, 8 Jun 2006 13:49:34
Octobre

Thanks again for a great trip. It was fantastic.

I'll be sending a package tomorrow with a couple of new flashers for Gary and Roman (Rob's Capt'n and Deckhand) and a disc with all of our pictures on it.

Let me know how the flashers work. If they like them I can give you the name of the Shasta Rep. I deal with and they can get more flashers, spoons, squids, etc. that you might want. Look forward to the next trip.

Cheer

Thank you Rob ~ i am sure they will appreciate it.

Rob, I have received the package you have sent ~ thanks for all the photo's! and i am sure Gary and Roman will appreciate the flashers. Thanks Again ~ Octobre

Colby ~ The day I was informed that fish like more than just oatmeal. fish like french toast too!

Colby and his dad were walking to the Raptor Centor, and gave me a call. I met them at the turn out by our National Cemetary. Colby pulled out the camera and asked me if I wanted to see a ghost? (Cemetary - Ghost...)

He showed me this picture...the French Toast picture...

As viewed From the streets of Sitka, under the John O'Connell Bridge

Bill will be fishing with us twice this year ~ again in late July.
And to Dori (Bill's wife of 41 yrs.) for the time we spent sharing memories with each other, and going with me to 'collect' men when the boats came in!

The flowers you both gave me are so pretty ~ and smell so good! Thank you for everything! Good people.

We fish 5 boats 100 or more days each season.

Our season runs mid May thru the first 10 days of September. What determines our charter season are water and weather conditions; as the fish are alway here. The commercial fishery will attest to this.

Seas typically are 2 to 4 foot.

Ocassionally a storm will blow through affecting 9 to 12 days of our season. We'll still go fishing, but on the 'weather' days when we are unable to get out off the 'Cape' we'll take you fishing leeward of the islands.

The Olson men ~ "Hooked" up with Bill Matzkiw this year; all these men returning to us for more fishing. The Olson's combined with Bill for several days of fishing.

Bill - who loves fishing in it's entirety, really does not care for Salmon in the least! Nor does he care for Yellow-Eye, Rock Fish, nor Ling Cod he just wants his halibut...

Funny I show him here on the right with a King, Hmmm?

( i know what going on inside his head... Bill is thinking...I'm going to see if i can get these two guys to swap me filet for filet - (Salmon for Halibut)

it worked. :)

The following information has been submitted from the Alaskan Reel Affair
Charters Web Site Contact Form

Name = chad Olson
City = Irvine
State = ca

Comments = Thanks to all @ Reel Affair. We had a great trip.

The fishing was fantastic, the room quiet and clean, the fish packaging was done perfectly and the guides were real pro's.

We look forward to our return.

From Octobre: Chad, Thank you! We look forward to your and your dad's return! Call any time! (even just to say hello!)

Thank you for your kind words!

These two gentlemen have fished with us for quite some time now. We don't see them every year ~ but we do see them every 2 to 3 yrs bringing families.

Please Tell Aggie Thank you for the hand made gift. It will be treasured. David gave it to me before we ever left the airport!

This year when David called; Tim and I were in Long Beach, CA. getting prepared for the Fred Hall Show which we have done for the last 10 years now...

Thank you ~ for everything!

L to R

Chad and David Olson. (and fish...)

Comments = October,

Just got in from Oakland Airport. Flight was on time. Very warm and clear here.

Fish got here in good shape and are in the freezer now. Looking at pics of
David and Chad.

Aggie wishes she would have gone along.

We are now having a big glass of wine and halibut dinner and talking about next time we will be with you guys.

Thanks to all.
Dave Olson.

Chad can send his own message

RE: You are very Welcome! Stay in touch!

Chad Olson ~ Nice, Really Nice!

Father and som is pictured here in the forground withthe Halibut is /chad Olson, behind is Chad's father David.

Photo compliments of the c/v Reel De La Bobine. Cpt'n Steve Mauphin

... and some mist from the 'blow'.

That just 'Cool' you know? All thia and fish too...

Like they say "a good day fishing is better than ummm ... ahhhh....

Tom and Sharon came to us from a friend who had fished with Cpt'n Joel Simonson aboard the c/v Reel Affair in 2005. They had requested to fish with Joel, but Joel is in Portland, Finishing up a teaching degree.

Limits on King Salmon the month of MAy are 2 per person per day, with an annual bag limit of 4.

Congratulations!

Tom & Sharon fished aboard the c/v Discovery with Cpt'n Gary Downey and Deckhand Darius Rogers!

Sharon Schwartz boating her King Salmon! Sucessful Trip. beautiful weather, and an ocean that looks like a lake ~ (the pacific lake...) Folks have asked me the name of the 'lake out there'...

Someone really really brave took this picture!

Tom Schwartz pictured with another of our deckhands ~ Roman Sorokin.

Beautiful fish Tom! Nice work!

Sierra and Robert arrived into Sitka on our 'Late Flight' 3 days prior to their first day of fishing. This couple enjoyed the sites, sounds & local 'color' of our small community enjoying two non-fishing days of relaxation and site-seeing.

Thank you folks! We hope you had a great time! Enjoy your fish, & we'll look forward to seeing you again at the Fred Hall Show in Long Beach, CA. !

Calm Seas: Overcast

One of the things about fishing the waters off Sitka in the month of May is this ~ When time comes to fish Halibut folks are able to remain inside the Sound.

The arrival of June 1 brings a closure inside Sitka Sound to Outfitters. We will then travel past the line of demarcation for your Halibut.

Robert is pictured here with one of the King Salmon he caught on the morning bite, before headeding out for ground Fishing!

The reason for closing the Sound is this: it allows our local residents to fish Halibut staying closer to home.

Sierra Chen harvested this huge Yellow Eye ~

Congratulations! Nice Fish!

L to R

Sierra Chen
Robert lanford
Captain Zach Crosby aboard the c/v Reel Affair.

Photo Compliments of Cpt'n Gary Downey c/v Discovery

2 Very nice Kings for Mike.

The weather had turned on day 2 of his trip. He was still Stoked!

Thank you Mike! See you in '07 for the return trip!

From: "Michael BRIESEMEISTER"
To: reel.affair@worldnet.att.net
Subject: Hooks
Date: Fri, 2 Jun 2006 14:43:02

Hi Octobre!!!!

I got home fine and the fish is great. I am sending a small package in the mail this morning for Zach. During my trips with him we started talking about different hooks and I told him I would send him a couple of packages of the hooks we use down here exclusively for salmon. It is being mailed today, so will probably arrive at your p.o. box next week.

Thanks again !!! Mike...
Thank You Mike! I will pass it along on it's arrival!

No Traffic ~ No Phones ~ No Meetings ~ No Stress.

Fishing at it's finest! Just the gettin' there is good!

I never had the pleasure of meeting these folks. this specific morning we had availabilty for 2 anglers on one of our boats. They climbed aboard for a full day of fishing!

Congrats! Nice King Salmon!

Perfect weather ~ Full day of fishing ~

* The Oly's have 41 pounds in finished Salmon Steaks & Halibut for one day's fishing. They requested Salmon Steaks and Halibut Fillets. All of thier seafood was then vacuum sealed in our 4 mil pouches.

The Steaks from their large King Salmon were packaged one Steak per pouch. The Steaks were huge! Their balance of their seafood was done in portions for two, frozen to -25 degrees, boxed, banded and delivered to the airoprt for thier departure home.

Thank you folks!

Jim harvested this White King Salmon which he chose to have smoked.

Lenore Minstrell. Lenore has never fished Alaskan waters. The one thing her husband Jim relayed to me was this: "Octobre? If we catch a fish the one fish I'd like for Lenore to catch is a King Salmon.

My reply? O.K. That will be easy enough!

Jim Mistrell fished along side his wife Lenore, his cousin Nicki Anderson and Nicki's husband Cliff.

Mr. Cliff Anderson, Jim's Cousin in Law. Cliff harvested a beauty of a Ling Cod. Nice Job Cliff! Nice!

Nicki Anderson and Wife of Mr. Ling Cod (Cliff Anderson) boated this very nice King.

This 'family of 4' chose to go with a group split, sharing equally in what they all harvested each day!

The part I like? ~ These folks have been so nice! They're just happy people, having a good time with family and friends. I know what we have boxed for them in the freezer at our 'fish house'. They have done very well for themselves. Must be 'Fish Karma'...

Halibut ~ I count 6: All harvested by the Minstrell Clan; Jim & Lenore, Cliff & Nicki Anderson.

At days end all they did was giggle in my van on the way back to town. I seem to clearly remember one individual whom I asked 'How did you guys do today'??? Holding up their hand with the fingers spread ever so slighty apart & saying ~ We had a good time though! (Yes, you know who you are...)

We tell folks at the completion of their charter what they'll see is apx a 40 pound average. Looking closly you'll see some smaller halibut, and some larger Halibut, but a 40 lb. average! Very Nice!

Halibut over 125 are typically females. Females can lay 3,000,000 eggs per year. Halibut babies (?) have a 1% survival rate, & harvesting a large egg laying female can remove 30,000 Halibut from the gene pool.

To preserve the fishery for generations to come we promote the smaller halibut for guests to retain. Plus it is so much better for eating! The taste does not change, but the texture does. It's what we put in our freezer!

L to R
Chase Zeman - Deckhand
Jim Minstrell

Nicki Anderson

Cliff Anderson

Jim Minstrell Sr.

Lenore Minstrell

Looking west towards the John O'Connell Bridge with Mt. Edgecumbe dominating the skyline.

Volcano? Yes. Active? No.

Photo provided by Jordan Goodew.

Jimmy Vanderburg ~

Jim and Willa's prefrences included Ling cod, Rock Fish, Yellow Eye and Salmon. Halibut was low on their list of target species.

This couple has fished Alaskan waters prior to coming to fish Sitka area waters, and had plenty of Halibut back home in their freezer.

Beautiful King!

Willa Vanderburg fishing the morning Salmon Bite.

Crystal clear blue sky's, coupled with calm seas made for an absolutly perfect trip!

Thank you folks!

The Vanderburg's shared their boat with the Parker / Costello Party for the majority of their trip. It also worked for them that all 4 folks wanted to include a full day of Crab & Shrimping.

Nice Very Nice!

Jim Vanderburg Harvested a 39 inch Ling cod was one of the fish Jim Vanderburg had anticipated being able to harvest!

The Reg's for Ling Cod is as follows.
The Ling Cod fishery is a slot limit of 30 to 40 inches. This fishery will close on June 15th, and re-open the morning of August 16th.

L to R

Willa Vanderburg & her Deckhand Roman.

You just have to love the grip she has on that fish!

The Vanderburg's chose to have some of their King (Chinook) Salmon smoked as well as some of their Halibut! Yum!

Photo compliments of the crew of the c/v Reel De La Bobine'.

Randy Parker fished along side a good friend of his Kerry Costello. Both gentlemen traveled to us from Montana enjoying the nice summer weather and experiencing first hand 'Sitka fishing'

Kerry Costello fishing King Salmon on a beautiful day, with calm seas. It just doesn't get much better than this!

Photo submitted from the crew of the c/v Reel De La Bobine' (Reel Affair ~ Italian) Cpt'n Jeremy Twaddle & Deckhand Roman Sorokin.

L to R

Randy Parker, Kerry Costello Deckhand Roman Sorokin.

Randy and Kerry spent a full day harvesting Dungeness Crab, Jumbo Spot Prawns, and Yellow Eye.

Kerry costello - Fishing Kings on the morning bite. Kerry's Deckhand, Chase Zeman is ready with net!

L to R

Jimmy Vanderburg
Willa Vanderburg
Kerry Costello
Randy Parker

Photo's compliments of the c/v Reel De La Bobine' ~ Cpt'n Jeremy Twaddle and Deckhand Roman Sorokin!

Congratulatons Randy! Nice fish!

From: Nancy Grennan
To: Alaskan Reel Affair Charters
Date Sun, 28 May 2006

Here are some more. Thanks for everything. Mike is leaving on June 12th for Iraq so this was truly a special time for all of us to be together. Thanks again.

Michael Grennan - Nice, very nice!

Thanks for all your work on this. Since I was taking the pictures, there are none of me. Go figure! We are enjoying our fish, though. Tell Gary we loved the recipes he gave us (the Malibu Rum Panko / Coconut Flakes / Grapefruit recipe was incredible!) We have been looking at the recipes on your website.

Thanks again for everything. Patrick had some fun teasing his sister.

The Grennan Family; Nancy, Mike, Gillian & Patrick fished aboard the c/v Discovery with Cpt'n Gary Downey and Deckhand Roman Soronkin (yes Roman is back again...)

Nancy Grennan sent these pic's along to forward along to their crew. The young anglers are just to cute! There is no way I won't give these kids their 15 minutes of fame first.

Cpt'n Gary came to me after the completion of their last day fishing (10 hrs. dock to dock) saying what a great time he had!

We would like to tell Nancy's husband Mike to be safe and take the best of care. Mike is going to Iraq very shortly. We wish him God speed and a safe trip!

Pictured is Gillian Grennan with her Deckhand Roman. (Nice fish you have there young lady!)

I happen to know from a well informed source that everything harvested their first day fishing was harvested by the children...Score!

From: Nancy Grennan
To: reel.affair@worldnet.att.net
Subject: Fishing trip
Date: Sat, 27 May 2006 17:45:02

Please find attached some pictures of our trip out on the 'Discovery' with Roman and Gary (we'll send them in a couple of different e-mails). Please forward to them with a big thanks for a great trip. We have lots of great memories.

Pictured are patrick Grennan and Deckhand Roman Soronkin.

Grennan Family photos have been sent to us from the Grennan Family. Thanks so much!

Thanks again,
Patrick, Gillian, Mike & Nancy Grennan

10 hours Dock to Dock - Gillian Grennan hung right in with the best of them ~ Nice work young lady!

Mike and Nancy's daughter Gillian is pictured with Cpt'n Gary Downey and two very nice Gillian sized Halibut and some pretty COOL boots!. Perfect!

Photo compliments of the Grennan family.
Thank you folks!

Gillian Grennan! Congratulations!

Thank your family for sending these photo's to us! Now you are famous! Be ready with a pen for all the autographs you'll be asked for!

Photo compliments of the Grennan family.

Mike Grennan, Patrick Grennan with Deckhand Roman Sorokin.

The Grennan Family fishing photo's are compliments of the Grennan family.

These couple of Pictures of the Kleppinger family were sent to us from the Kleppingers ~ this photo (Brian is on the right) is from their first part of their Alaskan vacation.

(correct again no horses in Sitka ...)

L to R

Tom Burke
Jim Burke

L to R

Billy Crutcher
John Crutcher
& Dad Jim Crutcher

Bud Carter and his 'Lucky Shirt' and maybe his 'Lucky Pants' and Socks... fishing along side good friend Vern King to his right.

Rick Raabe and Dave Brown joined Bud and Vern for 4 days of fishing.

David Brown & in the background? Ummm Vern King? Rick? Hard to tell ...

I know it's not Bud.

kevin Grove ~ great picture!

Now call me a girl ~ but i like the colors...

Cody Grove