Did we catch fish? Oh yeah!!!

117 pounds, that is what the Halibut that Jordan caught today weighed in at. He is standing next to his 1st place fish. His was the top catch of the day and mine came in second (and I also caught another big Halibut at the last moment before heading back to the lodge, but that's another story, Jordan is THE MAN TODAY!!!)

So we get to bed about 11, Sara comes and delivers coffee to our cabin at 5 am and we get up, make ready and have breakfast at 6, leaving at 6:30, on the water by 7 for what turns out to be a perfect day for saltwater fishing the Cook Inlet with Deep
Creek Fishing Club. First we troll for Silver Salmon, it's Michael, Ted, Jordan and me - along with Captain Sky Leman and Roger Wiste his excellent deck hand. The two of them made for a fantastic day. Jordan hooks up with the first silver, then Ted, then Michael; everyone catches a silver salmon but me and I hook up but get flipped off by the fish at the boat. So, it's time to go to the Cemetery, the infamous Halibut hole.

We fish, we fish, we fish and we fish. Then as John Madden would say "boom" - fish on the line and it's my line, it is time for redemption. It's a big fish and big fish take some time. Landing these big Halibut is something to behold, no doubt. The fish comes in at just over 100 pounds, the biggest fish I have ever caught in my life, yes, I am one happy fellow.

Then Jordan catches his 117 pounder, today's champion, and I am going to let him speak for himself about that. When he brings it up after a good long fight and our crew bring it to the "box", there was no mistake that it was bigger than mine. I was absolutely delighted. As a father you want your kids to do well, to enjoy, savor and relish in all things that life has to offer. It was one of those moments, he beat the old man and the old man didn't mind one bit, as a matter of fact I was elated!

Now, you must realize that there are a few things that Jordan has never beat me at; arm wrestling and hand shake squeezing to mention two. He never will, but enough about that...

I am proud, happy, and blessed to be Jordan's dad, Sam's dad, Annie's dad - and I look forward to having days like today with each of them in their own particular and unique way. It was a really good day, the best day of fishing I have ever had, AND, it's our first day of Fishing Alaska!

Tomorrow I will write of the special group of people that has been assembled here. Tomorrow we (Jordan & I) are going river fishing for silver salmon exclusively. I wish you all were here (so does the owner of the lodge, a fine gentleman named Steve).

Finally, Jordan, your PaPa and Grandaddy were proud of you today.