I participated in an Influencer Activation on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for the Waterfall Group. I received a gift basket and a promotional item to thank me for my participation
My husband – father, fire fighter, wildland fire fighter, hunter, fisher, hiker, boater, and all-around amazing man.
My husband is going to retire in the next few years with 35+ years in the fire service and he refuses to have a retirement party; he’s just not that kind of guy. So I’ve been trying to think of something unique and memorable that I could do for him because I think it’s something to be celebrated. I’ve been wracking my brain for weeks and then I remembered that when my husband was 19 years old, he spent a summer in Alaska working on a floating processing ship near Dutch Harbor. It was the first time he’d left home and was one of the toughest jobs he’s ever had. Still, it’s a job he reminisces about often.
We’ve taken the Alaska Inside Passage Cruise (and loved it), but I’m thinking of something more for him, though I’d love to do a cruise again. It’s simply the most spectacular cruise I’ve taken, and sure he’d go, but I know what would really commemorate his achievement, plus take him back in time, would be an Alaska sports fishing trip.
Alaska Inside Passage Cruise – Leaving Seattle
Fishing, hiking, and hunting are all things he’s hoping to find more time to do and he’s talked about going to Alaska to fish several times over the years. Now that we’re older and he’ll finally has some time off , it’s possibly the perfect gift and I’m practically giddy thinking about it.
All Inclusive Alaska Sport Fishing Resorts
So where would I send him and our two sons, plus a few of his brothers, and a couple of Fire Fighters? Well first, there has to be King Salmon, that’s a must. But he also loves Coho Salmon, and Halibut. They also have to provide professional fish process so anything he catches can be frozen for transport back to Seattle and anything else he’ll need while he’s there.
Steamboat Bay Fishing Club
The first location I looked at is the elegant Steamboat Bay Fishing Club. It’s a luxury fishing resort with a 16 guest maximum. Those lucky guests spend their nights in ocean front rooms, with wood burning stoves, and relax on decks with amazing views.
They also have some amazing amenities like a hot tub, sauna, kayaks, a club room with pool tables, and Wi-Fi. They also offer guided 25’ cabin cruiser fishing boats (heated!) that they’ve equipped for crabbing and shrimping.
Steamboat Bay has a chef on staff who prepares guest meals to order from wild game and local seafood as well as their onsite herb garden. Their hosted open bar is fully stocked for winding down after a day of fishing.
Checking out Steamboat Bay Fishing Club website gives a glimpse into the luxury fishing lodge located in Noyes Island, AK. I can’t help but stop and admire the amazing photography that shows off the resort so beautifully. The views are stunning, the design and decor is perfection. It’s truly a once-in-a-lifetime vacation.
Waterfall Resorts
The second option is the Waterfall Resort. It’s located within the Tongass National Forest which offers nature trails, observation decks, and more. The resort offers several room choices from the Historic Boardwalk Cabins which sleep 2, to the Townhouse Condos with two bedrooms and a full kitchen. Free Wi-Fi is available. They can also accommodate large groups and are set up as a great fishing tournament spot with conference rooms.
The Waterfall Resort’s executive chef and servers provide three hearty meals daily and wine with dinner and the Lagoon Saloon is available for cocktails and catching up.
What’s Included
The best part? Both of these Alaska sport fishing resorts are accessed by sea plane from the Ketchikan airport (just a 90-minute flight from Seattle). They’re both all-inclusive fishing resorts which means all he has to do is bring his clothes and personal items. The resorts provide everything he’ll need for for the daily guided fishing tours including rods, reels, tackle, bait, and all-weather gear. In addition, Alaska Airlines, which we happen to love and not just because our son works there, provides an on-site agent to check-in your baggage as well as your fish right from the resort. Plus there are ground crew members to assist with travel to and from the Ketchikan International Airport. It sounds like they’ve thought of everything.
Alaska Sport Fishing– A Chance to Bond, Celebrate, & Fish!
While I love Alaska, I’ll probably sit out this trip. Mostly because a boys-only trip would be such a fabulous way for them to bond, celebrate, and fish. Plus, I’m a vegetarian and prefer taking pictures of fish, to catching and eating them.
We’ll probably take a trip together to Alaska not long after he retires and are considering looking for a place to rent for few months. We both love the natural beauty of Alaska and really would like to explore it further.
Now, I just have to keep it quiet and start planting the seeds that there WILL be a SECRET retirement celebration, because darn it, he’s the hardest working man I know and he deserves it!
Who do you know that deserves an Alaska Sports Fishing trip?
I have never heard of a fishing Resort but i know it is something my brother world love.
Such a beautiful resort! Great review, thanks for sharing
That would be a fun getaway for him. It makes me think of my dad who is the exact same way. he would rather spend a day alone on the boat than surrounded by people at a party.
Yep, my husband too. He works with people all day and serves the public, so on his days off we cocoon. Always have.
That looks really cool. I’m sure that my husband would love this!
I’d love to go except for the tiny plane and fishing…everything else looks and sounds AMAZING!
I actually would love to take an Alaskan cruise. It would be so fun!
The cruise was FANTASTIC. I loved every one of the towns we visited and would do it again!
I would love to go to Alaska. So beautiful!
I have several friends who have been stationed in Alaska and they say it is GORGEOUS.
Definitely a gorgeous state! And so much to see and do.
It sounds like it would be a great vacation for the avid fisher. It also looks like a great place to take it easy and relax.
Right?!?! I’d love to go nature watching along the shore and lay on the deck and listen to the birds. Heaven.
Great post! Awesome place to visit. It’s great to hear about some Alaska Sports Fishing Resorts.
Thanks! It’s easy to right about a fabulous vacation spot for sure!
That sounds like an awesome place to visit. My father in law loves fishing and would be all into this.
Now that looks fun! I have been to Alaska once!
Now if only I could get him to set a retirement date! I’m ready to go to Alaska asap 🙂
Oh my husband talks about going on an Alaskan cruise all the time. I really want to take him on one some time! I think your husband deserves something like that for all his hard work as a fire fighter.
The cruise is fantastic, but don’t take the last one of the season like we did. ROUGH water and the towns close down when you leave.
I’ve never been to Alaska, but these photos make me want to check it out…in the summer, of course! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Definitely summer! We took the last cruise up in September and there were a few brutal days at sea where everyone got sick. I’d go earlier next time 🙂
That would get my vote over a party any day! Thank you to your husband for his service!
Ah, thank you! He doesn’t feel like he’s anything special…I say his hobby alone makes him unique. Who WANTS to sweat and break their back for 16 hours in 100+ heat? NOT ME!