Catch just the right summer morning in Sitka, Alaska, and it's almost as if the sky, earth and water meld into one beautiful painting.Mike Mazur
Fish were on our mind during this mid-August trip to the Kingfisher Lodge, but...Mike Mazur
...it's nearly impossible not to be awestruck by the beauty of Alaska, which hits you even before you reach the marina, and continues...Mike Mazur
...into the boat yard, where craft of every conceivable type are moored.Mike Mazur
From old tugs to...Mike Mazur
...old fishers, and...Mike Mazur
...a bevy of boats in between, they all glisten crisp and reflective in the mirrored harbor waters.Mike Mazur
We punched the big Mercs on our charter boat, and headed out...Mike Mazur
...racing by giant cruise ships in Sitka Sound.Mike Mazur
The morning was waking up nicely, and soon we approached...Mike Mazur
...St. Lazaria, a world-famous bird sanctuary.Mike Mazur
Nature rules in Sitka. Eagles fly literally everywhere, and if you search in the right places, you'll find...Mike Mazur
...sea lions, on top of...Mike Mazur
...more sea lions, and...Mike Mazur
....more sea lions still.Mike Mazur
Finally, we're fishing, and our captain, the soft-spoken Scott Miller of Kingfisher Lodge, hoists a couple fine silver (or coho) salmon.Mike Mazur
But just as quickly, more wildlife catches our attention! This humpback whale was cruising around the sound. We moved in for a closer look, and...Mike Mazur
...the whale obliged, flopping his tale up...Mike Mazur
...and over, and...Mike Mazur
...back down into the water, which was 450 feet deep here.Mike Mazur
He gave us one last show, then it was back to fishing.Mike Mazur
Mike (left) and Dean hoist a couple salmon in front of Mount Edgecumbe, a famous and beautiful (yet dormant) volcano. Mike's got a typical coho, while Dean has a fine king salmon.Mike Mazur
