ping SS: Alaska fishing trip?

[Go Aweigh2452]

Mike, I'm thinking of catching the veggie run to Alaska out of McChord this summer for some fishing... I probably have a place to stay... for free... wanna try to go Space A? I'll get more info and let ya know...

Invite open to other authorized mil on this board... no, I don't adopt.

Sure thing. We could stay at the Q at Elmendorf if ya wanted. What time frame were ya figuring?

[Randygh]

What is a "veggie run?"

Most of the fresh veggies and such at more remote bases, are flown in a couple of times a week. The necessitates flights originating at McChord and running all the way north to Elmendorf, Eielson, Naknek, Galena and many others. There are better than a dozen Air Force bases in Alaska and there are vegetable runs to all of them every week. :)

[Go Aweigh2452]

in fact the plane makes two runs a week... and normally it has room. I'm thinking around mid to late July, early Aug...

[Salmon Troller]

Doug - While taking fishing trips out of Elmendorf, did you ever hook up with Steve Wackowski? Steve was AF & he and his wife ran a Charter & Camp down in Soldotna. It's been a few years since I fished with Steve & last I recall he was transferred out of Alaska. If you hear of him, I would like to get in touch. A really great guy & if somehow he got back to Alaska, he does a great charter with special rates for military.
Jim

[Go Aweigh2452]

Sorry Jim, never ran into him but will ask next time I'm up that way... I'm working a trip logistics out now. Will post it later as I get more info...

[Hardtop Trophy]

Hello Doug,

What are the dates that you are thinking about? This sounds interesting!

Thanks!

[Go Aweigh2452]

Looking like early August timeframe. I received an email from a friend in Anchorage, Alaska the other day discussing the best fishing trip to take while up there. He flies the weekly veg run to see his daughters at UW once in a while. Here is his note:

My best recommendation for a trip up here would be for you to check out the Army Resort down in Seward (on the Kenai peninsula). It is a two-hour drive from Anchorage. Here is a link to their web page: http://www.sewardresort.com/. Connie and I have stayed there a good number of times and it's quite nice. One particularly nice feature is that they run their own fishing charter, and it is a better deal than the local, non-military charters. It's an all-day affair, but they get you out to where the halibut live and every time I've gone the entire boat (about 15 or so people) limit-out on halibut (2), and then we generally go to find the silvers and sea bass. Last time I went out we limited out on those as well (3 silvers and 6 sea bass per person). They tag the fish, and when you get back to the resort they have three cleaning houses where you can clean and vacuum seal your catch, or you can pay a local $10.00 to clean them all for you. They have free refrigeration for you as well. Overall it is a great deal. If you'd rather not go out on a charter, you can fish for salmon from various places along the shoreline. I've done that a couple of times but never had much luck.


I suppose I should get off my ass and find out if/when you guys are available to go fish? last trip I made, I went for 5 days at a Ketchican resort and it cost over $2500 each. This trip looks like it is a less than $750 a piece... thanks to Navy Air...

What dates are good for you both (if interested)? I am free after 25 July till end of August I think... flights normally leave Twice a week out of McChord...

Sounds great Doug. That's early enough we won't miss any action here either :)

[Randygh]

Do military veggie transports also supply remote villages or contract with commercial airlines? When I worked one summer at Port Moller our veggies where flown in 3 times a week (weather cooperating) by Reeves Aleutian Airways. I wonder if Reeves contracted with military carriers or were the veggies shipped through commerial airline freighters?

It was wonderful to have fresh, great quality fruit and vegetables when I worked at Port Moller. Guys would start to get edgy if we didn't get mail or fresh veggies due to a week long storm.

I used to date a gal who flew with Reeves back in '86. What a small world huh? She was one of 5 stewardesses they had at the time. They were a private outfit. I heard they finally went under though.

Ironically, when we first moved to Washington, we stayed at the Navy Lodge here. The gal at the counter looked sort of familiar and a few nights later, as we came in from a day of looking around the area, her husband was sitting there. It turns out he was amechanic for Reeves, and recognized me right off. He felt a bit awkward, because he was sure my current wife was not Debbie (the gal he knew with Reeves).

"Vegtable Runs" are just genereic for the scheduled flights that run in and out of the bases for training, schools support and parts. I used to really like catching them just for the free flying... :)

[Hardtop Trophy]

I just got some news that I will be sent to D. C. from Aug 8-12th. I am not sure the Admiral will like me gone twice in one month. Or maybe she will! I will check, softly and slowwwwly.

:wink:

[Hardtop Trophy]

Hello Mike and Doug,

Are you still taking a veggie run? If so, I think I might be able to go too!

Any specific dates yet?

I'm open as long as it doesn't interefere with the fishin' here :)

First weeks of August might be best?

[Hardtop Trophy]

Because I am leaving for DC on the 6th or 7th of August, the last two weeks in July would be better for me. :(

I'm pretty open, but I'd better bounce it off the wife. What's best for you Doug?