Page 22 - Experiential Magazine - Vol 5
P. 22
DESTINATION SPOTLIGHT
A Life-Changing
Experience
Turns out there’s a huge
difference between ‘fishing’
and ‘catching fish’.
Most people are surprised to learn that
Ketchikan, Alaska – jumping off point for a
trip to the nearby Waterfall and Steamboat
Bay sport fishing resorts – is only about 90
minutes by air from Seattle. It’s like taking
a flight from Boston to Washington, DC or
driving an hour-and-a-half from Chicago
to Lake Geneva, WI. Certainly well within
the boundaries of a quick getaway by any
definition.
A Different World board each group’s designated cabin cruis- dining room (actually the old Cannery
er, piloted by experienced, licensed guides Manager’s house) overlooking picturesque
From your window seat on the flight out of who know all the best fishing spots around Ulloa Channel. The vast array of appetiz-
Seattle, watch the suburbs recede and the Noyes, Lulu and Baker Islands – places ers, entrees, breads, pastries, soups and
snow-capped peaks of the Coastal Range with names like Pineapple, Granite and salads are prepared fresh daily and the
begin to poke through the low-hanging Rockpile. Returning to Waterfall around complementary selection of house wines
clouds. Soon you’re gazing down at a differ- 4:30 in the afternoon, you disembark and flows unabated.
ent world. Soaring, snow-covered moun- your catch is hauled up to the main dock,
tains. Cold, clear ocean inlets. Roiling, where the fish are weighed, hung up and Later, you can opt for a hike to the waterfall
crashing rivers rushing to the sea. Tall- trophy photos taken. After that most guests (it’s usually light until after 10 pm during
growth, temperate rainforests stretching repair to their rooms to clean up and the Summer fishing season), relax some
out to – and beyond – the horizon. change while their catch is cleaned, filleted, more in the Lagoon Saloon, or head back to
flash-frozen and vacuum-packed for the your room for a well-deserved night’s sleep
Arriving in Ketchikan, you find the city trip home. before getting up early the next morning
occupies about four square miles of land and doing it all over again.
hugging the western edge of Revilla Island Refuel, Relax, Repeat
on the Inside Passage. No big chain hotels, A Life-Changing Experience
no fast-food franchises, lots of jewelry The next step in the daily routine if you’re
stores and souvenir shops (catering to the at Waterfall usually involves a stop at the Whether you opt for a 3-day package, a
cruise ship crowd, naturally), a few bars Lagoon Saloon which, true to its name, 6-day package or something in between,
and restaurants. Like most cities in Alaska, overlooks the saltwater lagoon and Tongass one thing’s for sure – you won’t ever look
Ketchikan retains a certain frontier vibe. National Forest. It’s not hard to see why at fishing the same way again. As the
Ninety minutes from Seattle? Feels more guests enjoy relaxing while playing poker people at Waterfall say: “You will catch
like 90 years. or ping pong, shooting pool, throwing darts, fish.” Granted, it’s not the cheapest trip
checking their email on the saloon’s guest you’ll ever take, but ask yourself: What is
A Short Hop West computers, or catching up on the latest it worth to have a life-changing experience
sports on the big-screen satellite TV. And if like this? To feel at one with nature? To
The next morning you pack up and head you really feel the need for a more formal see some of the last truly wild country in
down to the Taquan Air terminal on the gathering, the TV room converts into a the U.S.? To form a lasting bond with your
waterfront, your departure point for a trip comfortable meeting room for 40-50 people. boatmates over a unique shared adventure
to Waterfall or Steamboat Bay – just a short that few people ever have? To discover, most
hop west by floatplane to Prince of Wales This is followed by a huge all-you-can-eat importantly, that there’s a huge difference
Island, and 45 minutes later you’re tying up buffet dinner from 6-8 pm in the resort’s between “fishing” and “catching fish.”
at the dock.
After checking in and dropping your bags
you’re off for an afternoon of fishing. No
delays, no downtime, no better way to get
acclimated. Lunch every day is served on
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