Fishing Sitka, Alaska

The editors and publishers of Sport Fishing magazine had never gone so far for their annual editorial-planning retreat, nor with higher anticipation, than on June 11, 2010. That day we made the trip of 3,250 miles from Florida to Sitka.

We stayed at one of the state's largest fishing resorts: Kingfisher Charters (www.kingfishercharters.com). It was obvious why the operation, run by Seth Bone, is so successful. Everything is run smoothly, efficiently and personably. Joining us were two enthusiasts with Pure Fishing, Senior Marketing Manager Hunter Cole and Senior Marketing Director John Bartow. They brought plenty of Penn conventional and spin gear for us - spooled with 10- to 30-pound braid. Heavier gear wasn't needed, and light tackle made the catching more fun. (Try hooking a 30-pound king salmon and 10-pound braid for an exciting challenge.)

PHOTO: Sitka means salmon as Sport Fishing's managing editor Stephanie Pancratz soon discovered. This chinook struck a herring, slow-trolled on a downrigger at about 80 feet.