"Alright kids, hop in the car, only 2,408 miles to go!"
Though Chuck McNamee hasn't uttered these words to his family upon leaving their Boulder Lake residence near Dorset, he might someday as they embark on the journey to the family business, Angling Unlimited, a sportfishing charter in Sitka, Alaska.
Chuck joined Angling Unlimited as a business partner following three years of work as a deckhand for Tom Ohaus, Angling Unlimited's founder and active charter captain. Since then, Angling Unlimited has become a leader in the Alaska sportfishing scene.
Captain Chuck and Captain Tom have 8 boats in their fleet, each 29-foot vessel custom built with a cabin in the center and walk around decks. A licensed captain drives the boat, while a deckhand assists anglers as they battle the massive Alaskan quarry; king salmon, halibut and silver salmon. "We also catch some ling-cod, rockfish, and black cod, but the king & silver salmon along with the halibut are what most anglers are after", says McNamee.
"Sitka is a unique destination for anglers because you can catch both king salmon and halibut in one area", McNamee explains. Many other regions of Alaska only placate anglers desiring one species or the other. Yet the Pacific Ocean isn't the only place guests of Angling Unlimited fish. "We have a number of inside waters that have great fishing too", notes McNamee, a welcome respite when the weather is unsettled.
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Yet the amazing scenery might distract you from the fishing. Gorgeous peaks and an abundance of animal life including whales, sea lions, seal, otter, a variety of marine birds and even the occasional bear invite eyes and minds to wander.
Sitka itself is rich in history. The Russians were the first Europeans to settle on Baranof Island. After encounters with the Tlingit Indians, they established Sitka as the Russian capitol of territorial Alaska and the town became a center of trade in the fur business. When Russia sold Alaska to the U.S. in 1867 for $7.2 million, the transfer was signed in Sitka.
Travel to the Angling Unlimited headquarters is quite simple, since Sitka has an airport, which means the fear of boarding a small floatplane to reach your destination isn't a thought.
Once guests arrive at the Sitka airport, an Angling Unlimited hostess whisks them away to the lodge. Meals, except dinner, are provided, but many people enjoy cooking a portion of the fish they caught that day as an evening treat. The remainder is vacuum packed, flash frozen, and flies home with the guest just like an extra piece of luggage.
McNamee typically departs from his Boulder Lake residence in early May, prepping boats and gear for the arrival of guests a couple weeks later. Their season typically runs through Labor Day, with a couple more weeks dedicated to shut the operation down. McNamee's wife Jennifer and three children, Jack, Luke and Grace join him in Alaska for the summer.
Once returning home, McNamee enjoys "sleeping in until 7 a.m., hunting, fishing and spending quality time with the family". And although the commute to work is lengthy, McNamee sums up his job in three words, "The ultimate career".
Anglers interested in more information about Angling Unlimited can check out its Web site, anglingunlimited.Deercom.
