Stockett anglers credit rocker Tom Petty with big Alaskan salmon haul

[Refugee 7]

Spending seven days up in the Great Alaskan wilderness, Michael and Zachary Goff finally found out one of the great wonders that Alaska provides — king salmon.

While visiting Seattle and fishing in Puget Sound for numerous years, they decided it was time for the "big water" and bigger fish. They went to Alaska in the middle of June to visit their aunt and uncle and they brought back 250 pounds of salmon and halibut.

Michael and Zachary, both born and raised in Stockett, have fished the great Montana lakes and rivers but nothing will even compare to the experience they had up north.

"The bite was slow so we put on some Tom Petty and then all of a sudden we couldn't even keep both poles in the water," Michael Goff said. "Once the other boats caught on that we had found the bite, everyone roared over to our spot. However, they did not have any Tom Petty music working for them."

The big news was the 40-pound salmon that Michael caught, and the 32-pound "hog of the sea" that Zachary caught. Michael's fish put up a 30-minute fight and took out over 300 yards of fishing line.

"We woke up at 3:30 a.m. every day and we were out to sea by daybreak and ready to fish," said Zachary Goff. "We soon realized not only was this a sport and fun, but also more or less a chore."

They were fishing on their uncle Ken's 35-foot, 350-horse Volvo diesel boat called "Boss Lady."

"From prepping bait to swamping out the boat to filleting and freezing the catch, it was a lot of work," Zachary said. "She — the boat — would make you work for the fish however she would reward you if you were good.

"I have tried to figure out the highlight of the trip — between the fishing, the eagles, sea critters, soaking in the hot tub, the scenery and the hospitality," Zachary said. "Once arriving in Sitka we soon realized that there were more boats than cars. No Cadillac's, no Hummers, no Corvettes — just jaw-dropping boats in all sizes, shapes and colors.

"We caught four of the five species of salmon including King, Coho, pinks and chums. We also caught halibut, ling, sea bass and rock cod," Zachary said.

Their aunt would request a "catch of the day" to prepare for dinner.

"We caught yellow eye one day and I must say it was some of the best tasting fish I have ever had but also one of the weirdest, craziest looking fish I have ever seen," said Michael.

The anglers also had heard about the 15-foot waves that can be found near Sitka and the annual 140 inches of rain.

"But when we arrived it was like fishing on Holter Lake," Michael said.

With Aunt Karen and Uncle Ken living on an island separate from the mainland, it was a 30-minute boat ride to get groceries or supplies.

The Goff brothers already are planning their next visit to Alaska but they think it will be hard to top the first one.

http://www.greatfallstribune.com/article/20100527/LIFESTYLE05/5270339

[Refugee 7]

Spending seven days up in the Great Alaskan wilderness, Michael and Zachary Goff finally found out one of the great wonders that Alaska provides — king salmon.

While visiting Seattle and fishing in Puget Sound for numerous years, they decided it was time for the "big water" and bigger fish. They went to Alaska in the middle of June to visit their aunt and uncle and they brought back 250 pounds of salmon and halibut.

Michael and Zachary, both born and raised in Stockett, have fished the great Montana lakes and rivers but nothing will even compare to the experience they had up north.

"The bite was slow so we put on some Tom Petty and then all of a sudden we couldn't even keep both poles in the water," Michael Goff said. "Once the other boats caught on that we had found the bite, everyone roared over to our spot. However, they did not have any Tom Petty music working for them."

The big news was the 40-pound salmon that Michael caught, and the 32-pound "hog of the sea" that Zachary caught. Michael's fish put up a 30-minute fight and took out over 300 yards of fishing line.

"We woke up at 3:30 a.m. every day and we were out to sea by daybreak and ready to fish," said Zachary Goff. "We soon realized not only was this a sport and fun, but also more or less a chore."

They were fishing on their uncle Ken's 35-foot, 350-horse Volvo diesel boat called "Boss Lady."

"From prepping bait to swamping out the boat to filleting and freezing the catch, it was a lot of work," Zachary said. "She — the boat — would make you work for the fish however she would reward you if you were good.

"I have tried to figure out the highlight of the trip — between the fishing, the eagles, sea critters, soaking in the hot tub, the scenery and the hospitality," Zachary said. "Once arriving in Sitka we soon realized that there were more boats than cars. No Cadillac's, no Hummers, no Corvettes — just jaw-dropping boats in all sizes, shapes and colors.

"We caught four of the five species of salmon including King, Coho, pinks and chums. We also caught halibut, ling, sea bass and rock cod," Zachary said.

Their aunt would request a "catch of the day" to prepare for dinner.

"We caught yellow eye one day and I must say it was some of the best tasting fish I have ever had but also one of the weirdest, craziest looking fish I have ever seen," said Michael.

The anglers also had heard about the 15-foot waves that can be found near Sitka and the annual 140 inches of rain.

"But when we arrived it was like fishing on Holter Lake," Michael said.

With Aunt Karen and Uncle Ken living on an island separate from the mainland, it was a 30-minute boat ride to get groceries or supplies.

The Goff brothers already are planning their next visit to Alaska but they think it will be hard to top the first one.

http://www.greatfallstribune.com/article/20100527/LIFESTYLE05/5270339

[KansasPettyFan 1]

Awesome!

[KansasPettyFan 1]

Awesome!

[Magnolia 171]

^ Ha ha! Cool!

I remember listening to Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers on a boat out in the Gulf in Florida!

[Magnolia 171]

^ Ha ha! Cool!

I remember listening to Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers on a boat out in the Gulf in Florida!