2012 DeckHand Position?
Hey everyone,
Looking for a deckhand position this season in South East Alaska. I'm a twenty-eight year-old, honest, hard worker. I value positive attitudes and common sense and get along well with others. I would like to work on a troller or tender for the 2012 season and enjoy long hours, rain, cleaning fish, cleaning in general, cooking and tying fishing gear. I can get by with little sleep and hate whining.
I am drug / alcohol and health issue free and will be in SE Alaska in May. I will remain until the end of the season. If you have a spot or may be looking for someone please send me a PM and I’ll send you additional contact information so you can see if I’m what you’re looking for. I guarantee you won’t be disappointed and I'll look forward to meeting you. Lets talk and see if we can work something out. I would like to meet in person in May for some pre-season work .
Thank you very much,
Tom D Jr
Hey everyone !
I hope your all well and everything is going good. I have left California and one of you great Captains on here has taken me into there home with there family for a week in Olympia Washington before I catch the ferry Friday out of Bellingham WA.I am very grateful of this and am very glad that Captain "L" has bin teaching me so much ! I am on my way to becoming a Commercial Fisherman. I just wanted to thank everyone and can't wait to get up to Alaska and begin .
Tom D Jr
Jackson Combs
2012-05-16 02:27:47
Sounds like things might be working out for both of us. Great to hear Tom. I wish you the best and look forward to a drink with you at the end of the season. :)
That's what I like to hear buddy ! This is a great group of fisherman who are very helpful .Were gonna do great and absolutely sounds good to me! I am excited to get on the ferry Friday and head on up to Alaska .The family I am staying with is awsome and I do not feel as nervous to get up there now. Good luck to you and see you up there .
Tom D Jr
Well I have arrived in Ketchikan Ak this morning and it seems to be a pretty nice town. Its raining but I am ok with that. I spent the first part of the day on the docks and well no leads yet. I don't know how many bad attitude people I can meet on the docks before I leave this town and try the next. I do not understand people's attitudes sometimes when a guy is simply saying good morning and hello. I am not gonna give up and people are gonna get tired of me walking up and down the docks and someone is going to grab me up. Thank you all for all the help to get me to this point so far,it really does mean a lot. I am in a Safeway using free Wifi and getting out of the rain for awhile trying to get warm for a bit.
Tom Day Jr
Once and Future
2012-05-21 03:08:50
Hi Tom:
Kinda makes the words of those wiseacres suggesting greenhorns should pound the docks to learn the trade ring hollow, doesn't it?
Don't let the turkeys wear you down. (Also easier said than done.) Some of the wisest words on here are Angie's, something to the effect of the "lows are very low, but the highs are pretty high".
Until you get on a boat, or if you don't get on a boat, you will have to enjoy your adventure by reminding yourself to take pleasure in the moment. Remember that several times a day you are making memories that you don't realize it now, but you will recall for the rest of your life. I like to remember Rudyard Kipling's advice that success and failure are imposters. In other words, everyone needs a few lucky breaks. It's easy for those who get a leg up on the world to get smug. But those who are rude to friendly strangers are bitter people who have been kicked around by the same world you are in and have let it get the best of them. I predict you will find some people who are very warm as well. I remember my first year in Alaska when I met a peer and had a good laugh over something. I wondered why it felt so good and realized it was because I hadn't had an honest belly laugh with a friendly person for 6 weeks.
Ketchikan? Go over to the harbor that has the gurdy repair shop right on the water front at twilight. When the lights are on inside and the sky is turning dark blue (if you can catch a cloudless night in Ketch) it is a very special place. I just happened on a movie made in the 50's with the word "Vengeance" in the title that used those buildings as a backdrop in the opening scenes. Also go over to Murray's Pacific on water street and eyeball the gear to see what you can learn. And keep your chin up. At least you haven't had to become a foreign language spammer on the internet to get by yet!
Kinda makes the words of those wiseacres suggesting greenhorns should pound the docks to learn the trade ring hollow, doesn't it?
Don't let the turkeys wear you down. (Also easier said than done.) Some of the wisest words on here are Angie's, something to the effect of the "lows are very low, but the highs are pretty high".
Until you get on a boat, or if you don't get on a boat, you will have to enjoy your adventure by reminding yourself to take pleasure in the moment. Remember that several times a day you are making memories that you don't realize it now, but you will recall for the rest of your life. I like to remember Rudyard Kipling's advice that success and failure are imposters. In other words, everyone needs a few lucky breaks. It's easy for those who get a leg up on the world to get smug. But those who are rude to friendly strangers are bitter people who have been kicked around by the same world you are in and have let it get the best of them. I predict you will find some people who are very warm as well. I remember my first year in Alaska when I met a peer and had a good laugh over something. I wondered why it felt so good and realized it was because I hadn't had an honest belly laugh with a friendly person for 6 weeks.
Ketchikan? Go over to the harbor that has the gurdy repair shop right on the water front at twilight. When the lights are on inside and the sky is turning dark blue (if you can catch a cloudless night in Ketch) it is a very special place. I just happened on a movie made in the 50's with the word "Vengeance" in the title that used those buildings as a backdrop in the opening scenes. Also go over to Murray's Pacific on water street and eyeball the gear to see what you can learn. And keep your chin up. At least you haven't had to become a foreign language spammer on the internet to get by yet!
Thank you very much Once and Future,
I know that even with all the bad it is only going to make me stronger and IF someday I am a Captain I will remember the guy just like me trying to get his foot in the door. Today there were a few more friendly guys on boats who said "Your on the right path walking the docks" and they had a friendly smile. Some said I should leave here and move on to the next town I am too early . I am just lost at this moment and not sure what I really got myself into . I still have a smile on my face and a good attitude but my gut is telling me this isn't the place to be. I met a local on the ferry and after walking me to all the canneries (he has worked at) and telling me the story's of junkies and tweakers working there getting loaded at lunch working like speed demons ,I really don't want to get around those kind of people. I filled an application to work at a Float Plane company and they are full and MAYBE would need someone in 2 weeks, I am surely not going to be in this town in 2 weeks lol . Sitting here in the Safeway lobby looking out the window at this Troller is putting a smile on my face. I honestly think I am going to go get back on the ferry and head to Sitka. I don't know I am lost like I said . I very much thank you for your kind words .
Tom Day Jr
SilverT
2012-05-22 06:01:17
That's really great counsel Once and Future. There's a whole lot of wisdom in that post. The laughter story really highlights the value of friends.
Tom - As hard as you work, with the drive you have and your ability to get along with people someone's got a spot for you. They'll probably dump that half drunk relative that won't get out of bed on the first call and drags their feet on their way to the hold and pick you up instead. You just have to find 'em. You're not lost at all, but exactly where you said you would be several months ago and I'm a tad jealous.
I heard this on the radio yesterday and I can't quote it exactly, but it went something like, "I went out to find a friend and found none. I went out to be a friend and found plenty." Once and Future is spot-on.
Lane
Tom - As hard as you work, with the drive you have and your ability to get along with people someone's got a spot for you. They'll probably dump that half drunk relative that won't get out of bed on the first call and drags their feet on their way to the hold and pick you up instead. You just have to find 'em. You're not lost at all, but exactly where you said you would be several months ago and I'm a tad jealous.
I heard this on the radio yesterday and I can't quote it exactly, but it went something like, "I went out to find a friend and found none. I went out to be a friend and found plenty." Once and Future is spot-on.
Lane
Lane ,
How I miss the conversations already buddy ;) Ketchikan is a different place that is for sure. Its bin raining the whole time and I honestly don't mind to much at all .I think this is more of a tourists town then a fishing town . Sure there is some fisherman here but not nearly as many fishing boats as I had maybe thought there might be . I went up to 3 Power Trollers yesterday with people on them and they did not need/want anyone. I went to a Seiner when I saw a couple guys on it and they pretty much laughed in my face, I kept a smile on my face and walked on to the next boat. I walked up to what looked like a Gillnetter and the Captain (well at least who I think he was ) almost fell off his boat giving me the cold shoulder , it was pretty funny. Every time I talk to someone its the same thing "Go to the bar and look for a Captain" is it a must that I work for someone who comes into port and only goes to the bar to spend his money while the boat he just got of looks like its about to sink? Or "Well such and such cannery will hire you" so I go there and get up to the crowd of people in front who are on break or waiting for work and realize they are not the people I want to work or sleep next to or be around anytime.
"I went out to find a friend and found none. I went out to be a friend and found plenty." That rings truth in this moment , I had met a guy who was traveling to Alaska to live and we were inside chatting and we had decided to go out on deck and I noticed he had only had a T-Shirt on ,I asked if he had a coat and he said it was stolen from him back in Washington so I took my Sweatshirt off and gave it to him and well I will never forget him and sure he will remember me. I still have a smile on my face and I continue to talk to people and say hello . I think I am leaving this town tonight to head on to the next, there is a pass you can buy on the ferry that allows you to travel to three stops whenever you like , get on and get off and I am gonna pick it up today and head to the next port.
I thank you and yours for everything you have done for me and I will keep pushing forward.
Thank you Lane.
Abundance
2012-05-22 17:23:43
This has sure been a cold, wet spring. Summer just cannot seem to break through. I have been watching your story unfold on here Tom, and you seem to be handling your dissapointment well. I know that I go out of my way to be warm and friendly to any dockwalkers, but I know that some people arent nice to anybody. I have to say that most boats already have a crew, or wont need one until the week before July. I might know a guy who will be looking for a hand this summer. I dont think that you would want to wait that long though. I could say the usual things about persistance and hard work, but I think that you already know that. What you need to hear right now is somebody say "alright son, I'll give you a try." I am sorry that I am not the guy who will be saying it, but keep on going until somebody does. What do you think your next stop will be?
Thank you as always Garrett,
I do enjoy the cold wet weather back home in California its like 95 right now and I am glad I am not there lol I enjoy rain and cold weather much more. I have my head up and a smile on my face, I know when the right Captain gets me on board things will work out great and he will not be disappointed. i thank you for being someone who is nice to the guys like me on the docks , I have met just a couple who seemed genuine and said I was doing the right thing. yea some of the boats i walked up to had a large crew on them and well walking up to 5 guys standing on a boat telling jokes about tourists and then seeing me walk up sure does make for a good laugh for them lol I don't mind they don't know me and if they did I would be there friend and crew member . I bought a one way ticket up and until I make some money I wont be able to go back to California ;) I hope I do not spend my time endlessly searching for a spot and then the season ends haha. And I appreciate any and all words you have shared with me and words of encouragement never hurt,it is nice to know people out there are willing to toss some advice to people still. Somebody IS going to look at me and say "alright son, I'll give you a try." I know it ! I just don't think it will be in this town. And I have bin either thinking of Petersburg, Juneau, or Sitka and actually I was just told that I should go to Petersburg before Sitka so I think that is where I will head off to . As always thank you very much and any advice is greatly appreciated.
Tom Day Jr
joeman79
2012-05-22 19:05:57
I will tell the Capt. of the Boat I fished on 2 yrs ago you will be in Petersburg. He just told me a couple days ago he is gonna try Trolling for Dogs this summer and wanted a Deckhand. He is in the lower 48 but I think he leaves tomorrow for Petersburg. I will call and tell him about you and if he is interested I will send you a pm. Good Luck Tom I wish I was up there on the docks with you.
Joe
lone eagle
2012-05-22 21:50:27
Did you try Bar Harbor in Ketchikan ?
joeman79
2012-05-23 14:03:36
I sent you a pm Tom.
sunrisebob
2012-05-24 01:32:23
What is your phone number
sunrisebob
2012-05-24 18:45:24
That phone number is not workingT
Good afternoon everyone,
Today is a very nice day, a light breeze and the sun is shining . I have spent the morning walking the docks from north to south and met a lot more great people. I like this town and the people in it. I put a flyer up on the board on the north harbor and am about to make more for the others.
Joeman79 thank you for all you have done, I have seen the boat and it is great ! I have not met the Captain yet but I heard from a friend of his that he has arrived in town so I will be heading back to his boat to see if he is on it. Thank you again.
Lone Eagle I did not check that bar out and have left Ketchikan but I thank you for the heads up for sure.
Sunrisebob I have figured out my new number and have sent you it in a pm thank you for posting and hope to talk to you soon.
If it was not for ALL off you on here I would not be where I am at today and I thank you all, I hope to come across your paths in the future and hope to enjoy a good morning conversation on the docks. Thank you very much.
Tom Day Jr
Hotspott
2012-06-15 17:02:32
Wow an unfortunate story actually. I feel for the family that is for sure, its pretty sad it had to end that way for him. And a little offset about some of the punk A** comments people are leaving.Its sad how "hard" people want to act behind a computer these days, knowing damn well they wouldn't say 99% of the things that come out of the mouth to someones face. I am still alive and healthy. Thank's for checking ;)
I understood it would be hard to get a job in Alaska,that I did know. But I also wish a few key points were told to me instead of finding out when I got up there. (like early May is a little early to go up ,which I was told time and time again from people working on there boats getting them ready while I was Dock Walking(seemed like I was there at the right time for some work...),Or what Towns NOT to go to to try and get on a boat because some towns don't have that kind of fleet). So after spending over 3k in expenses,finding out I couldn't set a tent up wherever I wanted(without being told I would be arrested by the many cops I talked to) , and running into some of the most.....let me put this nicely ,"messed up character's" on some of the boats I came across(Being told to "F" off, or "Do you do dope?" "No sir" I respond proudly "Then you cannot work on my boat then"...) . Going from Ketchikan to Petersburg, back down to Wrangell up to Jeuno , and then finally over to Sitka all while having my Black and Red backpack on my back and my Green backpack packed on the front (yea it looked heavy but was much heavier then it looked haha) Stopping and talking to ANYONE and EVERYONE who was on the dock's or on there boat politely asking "Good morning,by chance do you or anyone you know may be looking for a deckhand this season?" over and over again. Posting flyer's up on every board I saw at the dock's or the local store with no calls.
I have had to unfortunately thrown in the towel and now am on my way back to California . Looks like my 2012 fishing season is over in Alaska with the only boat's I have bin on in the water being the Alaska Marine Highway Ferry's lol(which was probably the best part about Alaska to me) . It was an ...experience that is for sure and I may give it a shot next season but just go about it in a different way then I did this year. I mean I still have all my unused gear ready to be put on and worked in for next year that's a plus...haha .
Again thank you everyone who I ran into and was polite and willing to stop working and chat with me a minute and pass on good words of advice . It was also pretty cool seeing some of your guys boats on my Journey in person like in Wrangell.
I wish you all the best of luck this season and hope you all fill your boats with fish !
lone eagle
2012-06-16 19:27:12
Just a thought; scoot on over to Fort Bragg ,July 11th openning , or down to Bodega Bay-Half Moon Bay. Might get lucky with a good boat and maybe forget the camping and sleep in the back of a truck....same with Alaska. I went through all that travelling-camping stuff years ago, still remember the damp. camping in the wet and cold hurts the spirit. And I worked in a cannery for quite some years, the work was tough but the people were fine, get to know your new town, the shitty boats ,good boats....make a life of it
Abundance
2012-06-17 06:04:10
I am sorry that it didn't work out for you, Tom. You gave it your best. Its hard enough for an experienced local to get a spot on a boat, let alone a stranger, but I never would have expected people to be obnoxious to you. I guess that there are some real jerks around that I never associate with. Sorry I must have missed you in Wrangell, but I was in and out a lot. Did you see a black sailboat? I saw a bunch of ferries pass me. Anyway keep on trying, and you never know. You've made a few friends in the fishing community. That might pay off down the line. You opened up an experience that you will never forget, but that experience isn't over yet. Lone Eagle might have good thought. I don't know how far you are located from the various California fishing ports, but they are worth a shot. And keep in touch with people on this site. This place is probably your best tool for setting up a future job.
fvsedna
2012-06-20 07:41:40
Tom~
I have been reading posts by yourself & others since you began your quest back In April.....I remember when I began traveling from Idaho 2-3 times a season back In the late 80's/ early 90's, longlining out of Seward & Homer. I recall Seattle airport(much smaller then)...being full of college aged kids to mid thirties on there way to unrealized adventure In Alaska commercial fisheries..many just as you did, without any certainty of work. I had the same pull to Alaska...My father Introduced me to commercial fishing on the ocean when I was a little "chummer".. I was worthless to Dad...I stood on a metal bucket so I could reach over the side to "chum" the fish for Dad.That was down south In America, now I own/operate my own troller out of Sitka. I had the same passion back In the 80s/90's as you do now.....Don't give up cuz' of one bad season, there will be another one next year.....Tom, you have grit & passion, two key elements of commercial fishing...I'll p.m. you my e-mail address... keep In touch, I know a couple of ol' crustys that need a hand once In awhile...maybe even a tender also...
Hope you find something down In America to wet your appetite..good luck..
Andrew~
lone eagle,
Thank you so much for the advice I appreciate it very much. I only live about an hour and a half from Bodega Bay and have bin there many of times and love the area I camp a lot at Dillons Beach which is just down the road . Most of my Ocean experience (the very little I have) has bin in Bodega bay, the smallest being a 14ft aluminum and largest being a 50ft we called the "Loose Rivit" lol Good times for sure ! Yea working in a Cannery would be cool, I would get to learn a lot and I am a worker so I would work the hours I could get . Yea learning everything about the industry you work in is always a good idea, getting to know the good and the bad helps at times. Again thank you very much for your words. And when I get back down to California I will look into heading over to the bay, I am not done with this Journey I am on !
Abundance,
As always nice to hear from you . Thank you very much. I did what I could do while I was there and its not over for me yet , I will get on a boat and catch some fish and get some experience in the commercial fishing area of fishing. I met plenty of locals who were doing the same thing as me and were having trouble getting on a boat who had what sounded like a ton of experience so its just one of those things I guess. I wish all the best for them. And yea I think I ran into a good portion of them lol I wont forget there faces and there attitudes that is for sure . I put my best foot forward everywhere I went and with everyone I talked to. Yea to bad it would have bin nice to stop and say hello to you , I was so in awe with every boat I looked at I could have its just not coming to me. I was staying in the Boat yard (In a shipping container) there for a little over a week I think like 10 days. Met some cool people in Wrangell, made friends with a couple of the guys who work on people's boats there . And met some friends I will be going back to see again ,nice little slow paced town, I liked it there. And experience I had , I learned a lot about this that and the other , I am not giving up and I am strong , healthy and have the willpower to keep pushing forward .Yea I think I will be looking into those places Lone mentioned there not far at all and I have bin to them from time to time in my years. This site and you group of fisherman/women are amazing. You have all bin so helpful and generous with information with me and I respect you all for it. Thank you. Another site I am on it wasn't but as soon as I was on my way home, I was a little late to my own hate rally by a few of the guys on there . But I just laughed it off, it means nothing to me when people want to throw out there negative attitudes to me I just move on and keep going forward. They are not in my shoes nor do they live my life, I live my life . I will be around for good and people will get to know/work with me when the time is right. There is a reason for everything that happens to us all , I truly believe that.
Thank you Garrett and look forward to meeting you in person someday.
fvsedna,
Thank you for your response. It was an experience I never thought I would get. Through all the crazy things that happened it is only adding to the man I have become and will continue to become. I enjoy the more ... how do I say, ruff and ready type work.Being outside working with my hands is something I enjoy. I enjoy doing things most never think of , and today not any of my friends,family or people I talk to would even think of doing half of what I just did or will do. It is only the beginning and I will continue to keep working on the things I want to do in life. I have many dreams and some of them will come true as some will not. I have patience and am persistent . I have a good attitude and have bin told I make for good company and someone good to work side by side.I am a people person who enjoys meeting people from all different backgrounds and ways of life. I give people respect and hope for the same in return . Some say bright eyed and bushy tailed, I say passionate. I thank you for your kind words and I will keep in touch for sure. Yea getting a chance to get out this season at least one time would be great ! I really want to get a feel for what I could be doing for many years to come !
Thank you very much
Tom Day Jr
SilverT
2012-06-26 19:26:07
Tom stopped in on his way south and joined us for a couple of days on the water. My son made the comment that he caught on to running the gear faster than anyone we have had out to date and I must admit, I was comfortable with him on the gear by the end of the first day. I also noticed he caught on to reading the springs faster than anyone so far. He's a natural & with a lot of common sense and I suspect his visit did nothing to discourage the fishing affliction, based on the look on his face when he gaffed his first king. Good having you Tom.
Lane
WHAT A TRIP !!
So hanging off the back of a boat gaffing Salmon has to be one of the greatest things on this planet to do ! I was able to go out in Washington and troll for a few days ! Man was it awsome ! It really was an amazing place to be and experience . I don't think I could have had better weather then what we had , it was perfect. Took many a pics and got a lot of video and it came out great. I wish I could have done it more this season but there is still a chance here in California to get on some kind of fishing boat before the season is over. Thank you to everyone out there.
Lane,
I have nothing but amazing things to say about you and your family. Thank you very much. I learned so much and hope to have many more learning moments with you. Your a great man and I feel fortunate to have you apart of my life. I hope I caught on fast enough and kept up the work pace you wanted. I would fish with you any day of the week in any water. Miss you all. See you again friend.
Tom Day Jr
joeman79
2012-07-06 02:37:15
Tom,
NEVER GIVE UP ON YOUR DREAM!!!!!!! I am heading north in 3 days for a month on the F/V Sidney the OLDDDD Boat you saw in Petersburg. We are going to try Chum Trolling and I am STOKED to get there. Someday I want to own my own Troller and Fish SE AK till I am to old to go anymore. Pushing 4 years of chasing my dream and I think about it every single day. By the sound of your short experience trolling it looks like you are a natural. I wish you the best and hope your dream comes true also. I will report and have pics when I get back. 3 More days!!!!!
Good Luck to all,
Joe
Joeman,
Thanks buddy for sure ! I had a great couple of months, and it is only the beginning of my Journey . In the end being able to go out on a boat and seeing what it was like to troll was such an awsome experience .I really enjoyed it beginning to end. I like the look of the F/V Sidney and it looked good to go and set up for fish. I am really happy to hear you get to go out this year ! When were out doing ANYTHING we enjoy it makes that moment in time something for the memory to grab a hold of,I now have a few forever.I have my rain gear in eye site and am sitting here waiting for it to rain in California so I can put it on haha! I will return to the water sooner then later!Your gonna have an amazing month and I can't wait to hear a few story's from you!
Good luck buddy travel safe and catch those fish !
fanshawfan
2012-07-11 02:36:34
Hi Tom. Sorry to hear your summer didn't turn out like you hoped it would. Having grown up in Petersburg, here is my advice (probably worth what it costs! :-)) on how to approach this. It's usually not too difficult to get hired on at Icicle Seafoods. Once you have a job (any job) there, let your supervisor know you'd really like to be on the "beach crew" ( the guys who unload the boats), then work your butt off wherever you are and prove yourself. Most supervisors will try to help out a hard worker who is reliable. It may take a summer or two to get on the beach crew, but stick with it. Once you get on the beach crew, work your butt off again, and be friendly. Most Skippers watch at least some of the unloading of their boats; they notice hard workers. Whenever you get a chance to talk to a skipper, tell them your desire for a deckhand job, and ask if they know of any openings. This seems to work better than hitting them outright with a job request. If they eventually have or know of an opening, they will most likely know the beach crew boss, and it'll be easy for them to find you, and get a referral on your work ethic, through him or her. Advantage: you are right there and easy for them to find. Sometimes jobs open and need to be filled quickly. I have seen guys quit their beach crew job and they are headed out of town on a boat minutes later... maybe someone got hurt or quit unexpectedly. Another advantage: you're getting paid while you wait! It may be your first job on a boat will be filling in for a student headed back to college, and you only get the last two weeks of the season, but now you got your foot in the door. Seiners have the most crewmembers, so there's more opportunity there, but once again, you have your foot in the door. I expect this would also work at any of the processors in the other towns as well.
Best of Luck
Hey Fan
No need to apologize friend .I had a great experience and would not trade it for anything. I learned a lot about a lot of things and they will help me in life in the years to come. I will continue to try and get on boats wherever/whenever I can . Petersburg was a nice little town and probably would a bin a nice place to spend the summer fishing out of. I met a few people from that town and they were nice. Plus I have some Norwegian blood in me so it made it a little easy'r to fit in haha. Yea I think what I plan to do is apply early to work in a factory next year. Keep trying to get on a boat and if I can't I will still have a chance to get working at a plant. I would love to work outside on the docks, I think that would be a great place for me to be. I could learn a lot, meet a lot of people . But I wouldn't mind working inside to start out either.
Thank you very much for the advice, it means a lot .
Tom Jr
Hey everyone !
I hope you are all out there catching as many as you can ! I am home in California thinking about being out there in the water for sure ! I wanted to share a picture of one of the Salmon I helped catch this year out of Washington with Captain L and his boys . It was an amazing time and I had a blast ! When the captain called the day I wasn't ready to go in ![attachment=0]DSC05105.JPG[/attachment]
Jackson Combs
2012-11-11 06:37:41
How's it going now, Tom?
Hey Jackson
Not to bad at all. Back at home in California now working. Spending time with the family and working on a few things to get me back out on the water! How's everything going with you these days?
ratboy
2012-12-17 02:43:13
Did you ever find work?
What happened???
Hey Ratboy,
I was able to get on a Troller on my way back home to California on a boat in Washington . It was awsome !!!! I loved it ! There is a pic above of me and one of the fish we all aboard worked for . I am home back in California with a new job that will help me in my fishing journey ! Thank you for asking ;)
CWITCH
2013-05-21 00:29:42
Well, Tom, I wish your post was for 2013 DeckHand Position . . . sounds like you had quite an experience last summer. My husband had a similar experience. However, he hit Ketchikan and lived on the docks, nearly starved that first winter, he was noticed and hired by a top skipper. He "stuck and stayed" and now owns his own power troller. I hope he was one of the friendly skippers you spoke with last year. I'm pretty sure if you talked to him, he was friendly because that's the way he rolls. He had his grandson on board last year, but needs a deckhand this year . . . oh well, timing was off a bit. Hope all is well for you this year!
Hey CWITCH !
Thank you for commenting .And thank you for sharing that story with me, it put a smile on my face thinking about someone making it . I met some really great people up there and cannot wait to see them all again. It was an amazing experience and only gets greater the more time I have with the memories . I miss all of it and its now just a little over a year since it all happened and I came home. Every moment of my trip gets played out in my head often. The time is flying but working construction 6 days a week does that to a person . I have bin spending the last 3 months working on my small boat for a little commercial venture back here in California Delta! Just a couple more months of work and I can be off ! Thank you again and hope the season goes great !