Yes, There’s Salmon in Alaska!
Places and Faces
August 23rd, 2008
There is no salmon fishing in California this year BUT lucky for our sons, Will and Scott, there is salmon fishing in Alaska. They were very fortunate to get a job aboard the Coventina which works out of Valdez/Seward, Alaska.
Many of you have been wondering about our trip there this month so I’ll attempt to fill you in a little bit more as we go. August of 2008 will go down in Lascelles’ family history as one of the best times together ever!
The photo above was taken of Will (I refer to him as Film Man Will) aboard the skiff in - how appropriate is this - Prince William Sound. It’s his job to take the net out and hold it steady with the skiff while the skipper, in turn, works the Conventina around to meet him to be able to close the net. Everyone on board is studying the fish below.
Look at that backdrop. This is where they have been for several days right along with a few other fishing boats. The boys are aboard Zach’s boat, the Coventina, which is the biggest boat allowed for commercial salmon fishing. It’s 58′. If a boat is larger than this, it cannot be used commercially.
There is the skipper, Zach, from Anchorage along with Jake from upstate New York state and our 2 sons. This is Will’s 2nd summer aboard this boat. Before his departure for Alaska in 2007, we had watched “The Deadliest Catch” on Mother’s Day. That is one scary job! When Will returned back to Redding in September, he described the summer as “hard work BUT more fun than hard.”
We got out to Prince William Sound aboard the Stanley Stephens Charter boat that travels out there daily with tourists aboard and doing a sort of ”mail run” along the way - dropping off and picking up items for boat crews - as they could be out there for weeks at a time. Here is a photo of a small boat - it’s not a fishing boat but rather the boat a serious nature photographer uses while documenting glacial activity with his camera. This is the Columbia Glacier and we had to be careful of icebergs in the water. They are much bigger, of course, below the surface so very deceptive in size. This smaller boat was traveling in and around the icebergs when we saw him. We worked our way toward each other so we could pick up something he needed delivered back to Valdez.
The day was absolutely stunning. We ventured by the area where the Exxon Valdez had spilled all that oil in 1989. There was no visible evidence to us that it ever happened. No doubt damage lingers but it was not apparent to us. We were not fortunate to see any bears on any shoreline looking for salmon but saw a bald eagle and kayakers and islands and beautiful trees. And all the mountains and glaciers were a feast for our eyes.
Before too long, we had arrived in the bay where the Coventina was fishing. What we didn’t realize was how perfect our timing was as the fishing boats take turns for who is “up” next and it was their turn. This meant they were in position to set out their big net and get lots of fish. Will ran over in the skiff to collect us off the Stanley Stephens’ boat and we jumped down into his skiff looking back to waving photographers. That felt weird being at that end of the camera but it was “unique” to see us “jump ship” and be delivered!
It’d been 3 months since seeing Will and Scott so it was very exciting to see them and to see them in this wondrous setting. This mom’s heart was pounding pretty good. The moment was to be savored.
Immediately - Will took the skiff out with the net and held it steady by the shore while the crew worked hard from the fishing boat to gather as many fish in the HUGE nets by watching below and gauging carefully. This is their moment to make some money! The 3 on the boat were very busy working it to the hilt.
Take a look now and see something we were blown away by. The net was so full and they can not bring it all up at once so must dump “pockets” - each “pocket” (that’s my term) is worth about $3,000. They had 13 pockets in one netting!!!! (You almost need a calculator to do the math!)
They caught 155,000 pounds altogether on the Monday and Tuesday we were with them. That was extremely good fishing for this summer. Will, who had worried about me being bad luck (thinking back to skiing competitions and baseball and soccer games he says!) is thinking twice now! Not only was the fishing better, but the weather was better than it had been all summer. I think I earned some gold stars and Zach even said I could come back! Hey, cool!
Alaska has had one of the very wettest summers in its history but on this day - NOT! It had been sunny and warm. The company was oh-so-good. There was now a perfect sunset while we enjoyed eating FRESH salmon and FRESH shrimp (from pots lowered to 400 feet!). I just had to gather up the clan for that family photo… “Oh MOMMMMMM!”
Scott, Mary, Will, Mark on board the Coventina - August, 2008
They finished up their actual work day at 1:30am! Why so late? Because there were other boats lined up at the tender ahead of us and we had to wait our turn to offload our salmon. It took that long…and we all got up less than 4 hours later to start it all over again! Mark and I are so impressed that these kids are working so hard and not a word of complaint. They were thriving.
As Will said last summer, “Its’ hard work but it’s more fun than hard.” We believe it!
Our hats are off to Toby Preston. He and Mark are in the same Rotary Club and got to talking one day last year about our boys looking for interesting work for the summer. He grew up in Alaska and has spent every summer seine fishing with his family since he was young. He knew Zach and put them together. Thank you, Toby! Tremendous memories are being made right now that will live with Will and Scott for a life time!
As always, I am here for your Relocation Needs anywhere around the United States.
I hope you’ll take a moment to comment or ask questions. I’ve got 1200 more photos to share…that’s a scary thought! 
Sphere: Related Content
The pictures and info was great. What a great time for all of you TOGETHER. Barb
What great photos! Looks like you had a marvelous time on vacation with the family.
Outstanding photo’s Mary !
You can see everyone is having a blast !
That’s some serious fishing too ! Think it’s too late to become a greenhorn on Deadliest Catch ?Great looking family.
Beautiful pictures…you take some great ones, Mary…but the best one of them all is your family. I love to see joy!
Dear Mary, Thank you so much for sharing your joy with us! It is clear that this was a very special time for you, Mark, Scott and Will. What a wonderful looking family! It is exciting to see the photos with your wonderful narrative. I am not surprised one little bit that the sun was shinning on all of you! My heart smiles for you and your family and the memories you created in August 2008!
With love and aloha,
Dyann
Absolutely beautiful, Mary. Someday I will go.
so you told me to come by and I did
you are going to have to explain to Will that salmon ball is completely different, so how could you be bad luck … HMMMM
Well, I’m so glad you’ve stopped in to take a peek and comment. I thank you for that. Send your friends…it’s a place to find out about a recent, fabulous trip to Alaska!
Oh that looks so nice and cool. Ahhh!
Those are some fine looking sons. You done good! Don’t let them give you grief for posing for pictures. We Moms have neeeeeds.
But what I want to know is… who took care of the donkeys?
Those photos are magnificent! And the fun your family is having leaps off the computer screen. Thank you so much for sharing your holiday.
I just LOVE the photos!! They are fabulous! And what perfect weather too!!
Reading your description made me feel just like I was there! Thanks for sharing the experience!
Liz
http://www.me2rr.com
Wanna go back! Nice shots.
Mary,
You are the second person in a week who told me that they had a wonderful vacation in Alaska. What beautiful pictures….mountains, glaciers, and water. If I wasn’t allergic to winter I would love it….but at least I can see it from the warmth of my office and laptop.
Thanks for sharing this with all of us. It is so nice to see such a wonderful and happy family time.
All the best,
Bob
Wow, what great photos of your wonderful family, Mary! I was especially relieved to see so many (unmelted) glaciers and to learn that you saw no easily observable damage from the Valdez oil spill.
Years ago, as part of my medical writing work, I interviewed a young physician (OB/GYN)who spent his summer vacation each year working on an Alaskan salmon fishing boat. He mentioned that the work day was so long and the energy expenditure so great that he typically lost 10 to 15 pounds during his 2 weeks of work. And yet, he came back year after year for the sheer excitement and the beautiful scenery. He even named his baby daughter after one of the bays where he fished.
So, Mary, are you “hooked,” too?
Best,
Toni
Yes, I am hooked. It was pure splendor. If you noted above, my husband dropped in and asked if I want to go back. The answer is “YES”! (He may be sorry he asked!! :-))
Mary,
Where are the remaining 1200 photos? Am I missing the rest of them?
I still enjoy looking at the photos, they are gorgeous.
Barbara D’Agostino
The SendOutCards Lady
Okay, I had been thinking of going to Alaska year after next. Now, I am DETERMINED to go. Those glaciers are breathtaking, and I haven’t seen a sky like that since New Mexico.
Thank you for sharing.
Man, I can TASTE that salmon.
I talked to our boys yesterday - they were having a break from the fishing out of Valdez and were in Anchorage for the State Fair for a couple days. Sounds like they’ve had such a successful season salmon fishing that both will return the summer of ‘09! They will return back to the boat on Tuesday to fish for however long it’s still good. Could be days, could be weeks. It just sort of dries up one day…
Wow, so this is Alaska. It’s hard to believe this is also part of the United States. Perhaps I will go to Anchorage someday. I have no idea what it looks like!
And after you have checked out Anchorage, Monica, I suggest you head onto Seward and/or Valdez. Amazing little towns they are. We also went to the Arctic Circle!
Been there and done that - as they say!
Cheers,
Mary
Hello guys!!
This trip is compared to that crab fishing on toughness, right?!
I love salmon, if I could, I would eat it every single day!! Even raw is good!!
Hope everyone is alright!
Love,
Guga
Wonders never cease, Guga! How great to see you here. Let’s see - it was 6 years you came to live with us from Sao Paulo as a Rotary Exchange student? Can you believe it?
Salmon fishing is not like crab fishing. It’s more tame but it IS hard work. Will and Scott have had a tremendous summer. Stop back soon, Guga!!
Love backatcha,
Your American Mom!!
What a lovely family you have! Great blog btw Mary!
Thanks, Katherine! I do appreciate it. And, I agree - I’ve got 3 lovely men in my life! Mark, Will and Scott!
After you left the weather came in and the fish slowed down. It was good having both of you on board.
ANNND I’m glad you kept the dread lock in Annie’s ear while I was away, she always complains to me when I get back when you keep her groomed proper.
Leave it to a Lascelles offspring to be in Valdez at 6pm today and walk in our door in Palo Cedro at 8:30pm! Way to surprise us, Scott. I thought you were going to be traveling yet for days and here you are. SOO good to see you after over 4 months in Alaska. Now you’re talking of Brazil? Go for it! You’re only young once!
Loveya,
Mom
Hi Mary! I just arrived home from a vacation with Linda from Vegas. We took a concrete countertop and art class there that was great. And what did we find? An absolutely wonderful gift from you and Mark. The hats are so great! I hope you kept a couple for my two favorite crew though. And as I said when you left, you and Mark have an open invitation to return. Thanks Again, Zach
So great to have you check in, Zach! What a splendid time we had with you and the boys on the Coventina in August. We’d love to take you up on coming back - the fresh shrimp and salmon were just too good NOT to take you up on it. Let alone the beauty of Prince William Sound and the great conversation while on board. Thank YOU again for a very different experience. It was a memory in the making and it will stay with us for years to come.