There’s a right way to load up the boat after a hard day of fishing, and there is this way. This is an Alaskan fishing boat being loaded up in Ninilchik,AK. They are a tight knit community of just under 1,000 people. Many of them are descendants of the Aleut and Alutiiq people. They are accustomed to living off the land, and Ninilchik is a fishing village so loading up boats is pretty common. There is even a packing facility in town that garners a lot of seasonal employment.
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Yet, tourism has taken hold and Ninilchik is a popular destination for those who are fisherman. Salmon fishing in particular is quite a popular tourist attraction. So much to the point that there are guided commercial tours to give those who seek it a taste of the industry. You might get wet so bring your rain coat and slick boots. You probably already knew that, though.
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There is a community that has grown up in and around the original village itself, yet the heart and soul of the community still remains true to the river and the ocean. Spend some time there and you will see tradition is strong and the sea revered. It is a food source, industry source, and a place of recreation. What does all of this mean exactly? What am I trying to say?
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These guys are used to being around the water with big pieces of equipment. This is a normal part of their life. They see as many boats as they do cars. In fact, they probably see
These guys are used to being around the water with big pieces of equipment. This is a normal part of their life. They see as many boats as they do cars. In fact, they probably see more boats than cars in a given day. Even so, did you see how fast that fishing boat was moving? It was hauling tail through the water, making a direct line towards the bank! It’s not like it was going sideways with a camera to shoot great panoramic footage. It’s not even like this thing was coming in hot and then throttled down at the last minute. Nope this boat is moving in a straight line towards a tiny trailer. It was moving fast the entire time! Look at the wake as it comes in. The water beside the boat is all frothy and white until the very last second. This means that boat is moving with intent… quick, fast, aggressive intent, right up until the point it is seated firmly in the boat trailer.
These guys have kahunas of steel in my opinion. There is no way I would stand on a boat trailer and watch a boat hurdle towards me, regardless of how much I trust my friend. I would probably hand the winch off to the other guy and run for the shore. That boat is coming in way too fast. Yet, these guys are standing there talking like they are waiting in line at Best Buy. It’s the most amazing thing I’ve seen in quite some time. It’s even cold, too, as evidenced by the jackets and hoodie the one individual is sporting.
Keep Your Klondike Bar, I Won’t Do That
Yet, not only do they stand there, they stand there for the duration until the boat kisses the winch and is locked in place. Then they proudly stare at the camera and smile as they are hauled up onto the shore. Now, I don’t know about you, but it seems like this is the type of stuff crazy is made of. I don’t think tempting fate is something you ever get used to. At least not me anyway. Yet, what makes me weak in the knees and turns my stomach gives these guys a good time and something to do. No thanks fellas. You win, hands down. I will give you whatever title is necessary and relinquish a couple of my man points. There’s no way you’ll ever get me to stand on the end of a boat trailer while a boat comes hurdling at me full speed. Not even for one million bucks, or a Klondike bar, and I would do many things for a Klondike bar. But to quote the great singer, poet and bard Meatloaf, “But I won’t do that. No no, I won’t do that”.
