Anticipation is at least half the 
fun. Rachel called me in June 2021 and suggested we go fishing together in Alaska. Rachel hoped to go to the 
same place we had fished with our husbands a few years ago. That place was a self-guided operation – great with partners who could navigate in the fog, help gaff a halibut into the boat, and steady the skiff when whales leapt and blew next to us. Instead, I recommended guided fishing 
at Pybus Point Lodge on Admiralty Island. Within a short conversation we had booked travel to Juneau with an Alaska fishing adventure at Pybus in August 2022. Now we had fourteen months of anticipation.
I met Jody, owner of Pybus Lodge, at the Sportsmen’s Show in Puyallup in January 2018. I had an excellent solo 
travel adventure there in August 2018. Meanwhile, Rachel shared news of our plans with Randy and Nancy. They had never been salt-water fishing and agreed to share the fun. We met in Juneau the day before our trip. We arose early for our float plane ride to Admiralty Island.
The dawn flight to the lodge was beautiful. Within an hour of arriving on the dock we were hustled aboard our 
fishing boats dressed for action. We caught halibut, salmon, ling cod, and rock fish for 4 full days of fishing. Our 
skippers were very careful to observe wildlife rules about catches and size limits. We photographed lots of fish, but the scenery alongside the boat caught our eyes and our camera lens even more.
One day we saw a pod of 10 orcas patrolling the waters 
south of the lodge. They were swimming in tight formation with the fin of one orca towering more than 5 feet above the waves. In a shallow 
cove we saw a raft of otters floating like a giant fur blanket over the water. We brought up crab pots and shrimp pots 
one day. Whales delighted us all days and in all directions. Blowing, diving, tail slapping, and even the full jump and roll. We didn’t try to photograph them. Just watched and marveled. Those are the images most dear to my heart.
One day Rachel, Randy and Nancy went with our skipper, Matt, to visit a glacier in a narrow fjord. They enjoyed the cold air and the blue icebergs floating away from
the glacier. Matt helped them catch fish before and after the glacier visit. I wanted to fish all day, so I joined another skipper and four fun fishing fanatics from northern CA. It was good to watch and learn what other guides and guests do and to hear their stories. Those 4 close friends were fresh off summer fishing adventures all over Alaska. They would soon return to California with a summer of adventures to take home with their catch.
Most meals were served buffet 
style with an optional 4-course dinner each evening. On request, they prepared our fresh caught halibut cheeks for us as hors d’oeuvres.
Dense fog greeted us the morning of our return to Juneau. We (and our boxes of frozen fish Alaskan souvenirs) were ferried on catamarans over calm water. Radar helped navigate the islands and boat traffic back to Juneau and the airport.
Each time I taste my fish, I’m so grateful for the camaraderie Rachel inspired to go fishing in Alaska again.
Photos by Kathy McKenna & from the photo “Gallery” at Pybus Lodge
Spectacular!
Wonderful writing and super photos. What a great thing to do! Thanks for sharing!