Family Fishing Trips

It was a beautiful chilly morning when the Nelson family, that's my family, decided to take a fishing trip to Deep Creek, Alaska. Shelbie and I impatiently waited on the hour-long trip down there. The amazing scenery made it worth the wait. Glass-flat waters, windless air, and warm, sunny skies made the anticipation to get on the water unbearable. Once we got out there and settled it was quiet for a little while. I grew restless in a very short time while the rest of my family was enjoying the flawless weather. Mom's line jerked and instantaneously the fight was on. The fish jerked, she jerked back, and this went on for about ten minutes. Her reward after an incredible fight was a 35 lb halibut. The first bit of action for the day was over, but it wouldn't be the last of the action. In the middle of soaking up the sun I felt a tug on my line. With my height of 5 foot nothing and weight of about 100 pounds, reeling in fish alone has always been difficult. After a few intense minutes I found out I had been fighting a shark! After we took a picture of a very scared little girl and a completely annoyed shark we let him go. Not too long after my adventure with the shark, my sister, Shelbie, was almost pulled right out of her seat by the weight of the funniest expedition of her life. We all were looking at the puffins, jellyfish, and dolphins (yes, you read it right DOLPHINS!) when Shelbie was shocked by the power of whatever was on her fishing line. Shawn and Shelbie used every muscle they had to keep a hold of the fishing pole. Once Shawn had helped Shelbie regain control he let her 'take the reins'.. It did take her a very long while to reel it close enough to the boat, but she got the bragging rights of saying she caught, not one but two, 35 pound halibuts by herself. It was awesome. After that the water stayed calm but it got very cold very fast so we had to go back to the shore. I have lived in Alaska most of my life and I have never caught a shark or 2 fish at one time. I will always have a positive memory of my first halibut trip. I hope this story will encourage you to travel to the great state of Alaska and go fishing in our amazing waters.

Ashley Pharris
Age: 14
Soldotna, Alaska

Submitted Through Alaska Fishing and Lodging