Carole Gibb and her companion, Fidget, on Southeast Alaska’s Chicagof Island
Editor’s Note: Carole writes “. . . this island has cast a spell over me.” For “fisherfolk” this is not an uncommon emotion. Whether it’s making a living fishing, and, perhaps, living on a boat or an island, it’s a “spell”. My brother Ken used to say, “Three days out to sea on a fishing boat and all the world falls away.” Life is centered on the sea, the boat and catching fish.
Carole calls this spell “crazy”. It is also “romantic”. Nothing will quell this urge to leave the world behind except to set a compass course north to Alaska and scoff at those ashore who note that the catch predictions are “iffy” this year. Tim
THE SPELL
LETTERS FROM ALASKA - 9
Carole Gibb
Dear Mary,
I’m thinking about getting my own boat, and fishing it next summer.
It sounds crazy, I know . . . but the more I surrender myself to this life, the more the universe seems to send positive reinforcement.
For example, earlier today, some bird poop landed right next to me on the beach—a lot of it, maybe half a cup. So that huge splat—from an eagle, surely—missed me. Obviously a good luck sign, wouldn’t you agree?
Okay, well, maybe it’s a stretch to think that being missed by eagle poop is a sign to buy a boat, but it is worth mentioning that the market is likely to correct itself. People are saying so, and the general feeling is that next season will surely be an improvement over this one.
So maybe just a little boat.
There’s a particular kind of skiff, a Boston Whaler, that can be outfitted as a commercial troller. This guy, Joel, has one, so I’m keeping an eye out for him. He appears in Bellport about once a week to supply up. I’m going to ask him about it. I’ll keep you posted.
xxoo
Carole
The end of a salmon trolling day — A good catch!
BOSTON WHALER
CREDITS:
Writer: Carole Gibb
Photographers: Hans Weinberg, Carole Gibb
Editor: Tim Olson
To read Carole Gibb’s ALASKA LETTER 8 – click here
I always remember a moment, when for me the “spell” came. Although I did not think of it that way. Whether it was on a troller or cannery tender headed north to Alaska or a naval vessel headed for the other side of the world. It was the same. All lines were taken in and all the “things” ashore were left in the wake. It gave a feeling of freedom and peace. It was a “spell”.
Thank You.