GOING FISHING IN ALASKA
A BAD DAY OF FISHING IS BETTER THAN A GOOD DAY AT THE OFFICE
BY
KATHLEEN VERA BROWN GUDGEL
INTRODUCTION BY DOYAL GUDGEL
Someone asked for something personal that might get us better
acquainted. This story might help. My wife Kay kept a diary in 1964
when I helped my brother Loyal, take his newly built boat "Honey Bear"
to the fishing grounds near Ketchikan Alaska. We lived in Seattle,
where our father who was retired, helped Loyal build his 50 foot boat
in his back yard. Dad put two nails or screws in when the plans only
asked for one. Dad said this was one boat he trusted. He also said
there were no square corners on a boat. Dad was a retired
carpenter. He had also been deep sea fishing off the California coast
at Monterey so had some experience with boats. However he had a lot
more before this trip was finished. We all had.
An interesting incident happened during the building when a
pilot in a jetliner would look down and see the progress as the boat was
built. Finally he could not stand it any longer and came over to the
house to see what was going on. Loyal lived near Seatac international
airport.Loyal had been in the Television sales and service business but wanted
a change so sold his business to me and then he embarked on this
fishing venture. A few people have read the story and some suggested she try to get it
published. I'm taking this opportunity to try it out on this audience. Except for 5 or 6 people you are the first to see it. Loyal
has not seen it to this day. This will become obvious as you continue. Our father also came along on the trip. to keep Loyal
company and to help him fish. Kay and I were to come on the maiden voyage and help him get it to Alaska. Then we were to return to
Seattle and resume parenting duties taking over from our oldest son Tom (jr) who was baby sitting his two younger brothers.
Tom turned 17 while we were on the trip. We've asked but never really got an answer
about what went on while we were gone.
Dad used to sit out on deck on the way up and say that no place in the
world had he seen such tremendous scenery. He was well aware of Yosemite and the Grand Canyon having lived near Yosemite for some time. From Seattle up to Skagway boats take the Inland Passage to escape going out into the ocean. None the less this passage can be wicked for small boats when winds whip up. Passage is sheltered except
for Queen Charlotte Sound which is open to the ocean for 40 or 50 miles. . You will read more about it in the narrative. Lots more.
Tour boats make regular tours in the summer from Vancouver BC. Due to
strange US maritime laws boats built or registered in foreign
countries can not sail between two US ports and pick up passengers.
Although my wife Kay was 4"11 ( now she has shrunk) she is adventurous
and was happy to come along and do the cooking. At least that is the
way it started out. But read on
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