Tag: fishing in Seldovia
So, You Want to go Fishing? You can in Seldovia, with “Salmon Annie”!
by Jenny Chissus
I had the true pleasure to run into our very own “Salmon Annie” at the docks in Seldovia the other day. She and her family have started an exciting new business here in Seldovia, focused on the bounty and beauty of our Alaskan waters. “Salmon Annie” as she is lovingly called, began a guiding service, giving others a glimpse into her family’s set netting experience on Seldovia Bay.
Some folks like to come to Seldovia to have lunch, walk around a bit, take a hike on the Otterbahn trail, tour the museum or shop in our stores, but others… are looking for a little more adventure, or an opportunity to see the beauty of Alaska up close and personal, and are not afraid to get a little wet, or dirty in the process!
Annie is hopeful that this will be an opportunity for folks to see how people live in Alaska, get a taste of how set netting works, setting the nets, picking the fish and enjoying being out on the water! She also hopes that the local folks will enjoy sharing this experience with their visiting family and friends who are looking for an authentic look into the Alaskan lifestyle.
For more information about this great new adventure in Seldovia, please check out Salmon Annie’s website here at www.SalmonAnnie.com. I threw a few additional questions her way to explain the beginnings of this idea, and how Annie is working to share the excitement of fishing while maintaining a family business!
Gazette: You’ve been set netting since 2001 – was that on your own, or did you start with your family?
Annie: I actually started set-netting here with Seldovian, Dave Chartier. I would deck hand for Dave, Alex, and Brian. I lived on Powder Island in my tent that summer and learned to fish with their family operation. I would set-net every summer and go back to school at University of Northern Colorado every year. I fished with Dave one summer and the rest of the summers I was fishing with a family on Isthmus Island out in Little Tutka Bay. I enjoyed being a deck hand and a nanny for a family operation – my friend had two little baby boys. I learned a lot about fishing, marriage, family, life…
Gazette: You’ve been set netting in Seldovia since 2006 – how did you pick Seldovia?
Annie: I was about to graduate college and after doing my student teaching, landed a job at Homer Middle School. I started talking to all the fisherman on the “line” – from Seldovia to Halibut Cove seeing if anyone wanted to sell. I would bake cookies and bread and go chat with them for a possibility of purchasing sites.
Gazette: What’s your favorite thing about fishing?
Annie: I love being on the water. It calms my soul. I also love to work hard. There are no “I can’t”s in fishing. Things have to get done and you just do it. It was also the perfect complement to teaching during the school year which was so emotionally draining – to then having a physically demanding job such as fishing. Mostly, I love the water.
Gazette: How is it fishing with the kiddos? Do they love being in the skiff?
Annie: Joy LOVES it. She grew up in the fish tote – one without fish in it of course. She is very good at identifying the species. Obadiah gets tied onto the bow line – he is so busy – and he doesn’t like it like Joy does. He is glad when we are all done. And the baby? He is happy as long as he is with us.
Gazette: Having fished for over 13 years – have you seen a difference in how you fish? The amount of fish? The types of fish?
Annie: Yes – My role in fishing has changed from deck-hand, skipper, wife, mother… so this new business guiding is in one way – a way for me to get on the gear more and hopefully pay for our nanny so I can be fishing. Also, yes, much less Kings and more pinks earlier in the season, as far as Seldovia Bay goes. Jacks are back this year for the first time since about 2007!
Gazette: What made you decide to be a guide?
Annie: For the reasons I stated above and also because fishing has become less profitable for us, we needed to find a way to make it more profitable. I also wanted people to have something to do in Seldovia when they are here.
Gazette: What do you think people will get out of this experience of fishing with Salmon Annie?
Annie: Well, that’s sort of all on the website –www.SalmonAnnie.com – so check that out! But, in short, hands-on commercial fishing experience, memories, views, etc. Very personable fishing and handling of each species…
Gazette: What is your season? From when to when?
Annie: We fish June and July. But we are guiding into the second week of July.
Gazette: Then folks better Call now and secure their spot – as days and time frame is limited! First come, first served!
Gazette: Is this a good experience for any age? Do you have any restrictions? Age? Ability?
Annie: All people. Any age or ability. Totally inclusive!
Gazette: Give Annie a call – She’d love to share this great experience with you! You can reach Annie at: 907-756-1110 or email her directly at: AnniePeel@yahoo.com
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