Alaska Trip - The Sideways Spanker

You are probably wondering by now, what in the world is a "sideways spanker?"  It's a name Riley made up for a halibut.  He said that when you catch them and bring them on deck, they lie there sideways (because their eyes are on the same side of their body) and spank their tails against the deck.  The boys went on an all day wildlife/fishing charter the same day the girls went on the Gilligan tour.

They started out by seeing different parts of the bay and the wildlife, then started casting their lines.  All 4 boys were disappointed that they didn't catch more salmon (not enough time spent trying for salmon), but I think they were still happy with all of halibut, cod and rockfish they got.

Aboard in the small boat harbor in Seward

Checking out the boat

More exploring

And they are off to see wildlife in the bay

I can only imagine what Uncle Matt and Riley were discussing

Another in depth discussion with Dad

Looking for wildlife

First catch of the day!

Andy was thrilled!

Uncle Matt helping Riley with the fishing rod

Everyone checking out the next catch

Got 'em!

Getting him off the hook

Uncle Matt giving Riley a personal tour

Pointing out whales to Riley

Taking a snack break to try to settle his stomach

Looking for more whales

Riley even made a buddy on the boat

Uncle Matt's catch

Looks like a rockfish

A sideways spanker!

Got another one

Andy not feeling so good

Filleting the fish for the boys

Meeting up on the dock - our boats docked across from each other at the same time!

Happy to see her Daddy

I think Andy and Riley ate my brother out of his own personally canned salmon - well, at least put a serious dent in his supply.  Andy was determined to eat as much salmon as possible while in Alaska and I think he came close to eating it daily!  Riley enjoyed all the fresh fish as well.  He ate a lot of his favorite salmon - the sockeye salmon.  He likes them so much he got a sockeye salmon stuffed animal at a gift shop!

After we had our happy reunion, the boys took their catch to the dock to have it vacuum packed and shipped to our homes.  Ours arrived Tuesday after we returned.  Mom and Dad's will arrive after they get home from their bike trip. I know my boys are anxious to try some here on the grill.

The night after the big fishing trip, we went to a restaurant where they will prepare YOUR catch of the day and serve it to you.  Pretty cool idea, huh?  The guys took a bunch of the fish in and everyone enjoyed eating it.  Kendall even tried a fish stick that they made for an appetizer.  Sadly, I was alone in not eating anything that swims, so I enjoyed my veggie calzone instead.