This adventure fishing trip was in the planning phase for quite some time.
It is part of my bucket list, maybe yours too.
My fishing goal was to catch a large halibut that locals call a “barn door”. Being a senior, I had to work out at the gym to prepare for catching big fish.
I arrived in Anchorage, Alaska from Boston. In the picture, Delta was on final approach to the runway.
Many of us stayed overnight at the Puffin Inn, seen below. They sent an airport shuttle to pick me up. Nice!
First night hotel
Below, this terrific Alaska Bus Company and driver Ian drove us to the lodge … perhaps near 150 miles.
Great views out of the large bus windows.
Alaska Bus Company drove us to lodge in Sterling, Ak – Nice Bus and Driver Ian
Adam and Ed give thumbs up for the drive to lodge
Below, our bus stopped at Three Bears Convenience stores for snacks and potty breaks …great roadside stores.
I bought a souvenir Alaska vehicle license plate for my man-cave.
We stopped for snacks and potty breaks a these great roadside convenience stores. Here we stopped at the town of Coopers Landing,
We arrive at the Great Alaska Adventure Lodge below. The lodge is very impressive as were the terrific lodge staff.
They aim to please and did so every day.
Entrance to the Great Alaska Adventure Lodge. First Class!
Below is my lodge-room, no tv, was on purpose. This is a get-a-way. Complete with a full bathroom for each guest. And room service for making your bed and room care.
My Bedroom for the week. Wow! Can you say comfortable!
The lodge is situated on the shore of the famous Kenai River, where we can fish for salmon and enjoy peace and quiet along the river. Can you say spectacular!
Behind the lodge is the picturesque Kenai River – Salmon fishing on the shore.
Below, we had our own great adventure bus and driver to drive us to each adventure fishing trip. Charlie our driver was terrific.
our lodge adventure transportation. Nice!
Moose on the loose. We saw several.
Moose Crossing-we saw several moose and calf’s along the roadside
Sights like this mountain below were amazingly common as we were shuttled to adventures. I believe this is one of the three volcanoes in Alaska. All of them are officially considered active.
On the road – a volcano looms large. Minor quakes are normal.
We fished in Homer Alaska too, but the best ocean adventure for me was in Seward, Alaska. You will see why shortly… Below, we boarded the Tia Rose for our 2 1/2 hour ride to our fishing area.
Boat “Tia Rose” at the Seward Dock
Seward has more wildlife and closer to mountain shorelines than Homer. See the sea otter I photo’d below. No Orca’s seen.
Both videos below are from John catching then landing the largest barn door halibut of the trip. We did not weigh our fish.
Look at that rod bend!
I caught the second largest barn door too but was so busy catching it that it was not on video.
The good thing here was that the ocean bottom here was only 70 feet. Often it is like 200 or 300 feet.
Below video, Nat’s daughter Alyra reels in a nice halibut.
Chris reels in a nice one.
Below, Jamie showing her big halibut.
Nice Fish Jamie!
This halibut close-up on the deck, is keeping an eye, …or two, on us. What big eyes they have.
Experts say halibut start their life vertically with an eye on each side. As they grow, their eyes migrate to the darker side and then swim flat on the ocean bottom. Most all large halibut are females called “barn doors” and smaller ones are males called “chickens”.
Halibut are prized as a food fish costing 30 dollars per pound or more.
Fast Facts from Alaska Fish and Game
- Size
Length to over 8 feet, weight to over 500 lb - Lifespan
55 years (males and females) - Distribution/Range
California to the Bering Sea, west to the Sea of Japan - Remarks
Both eyes on the right (upper side), with rare exceptions - Other Names
Large halibut are “barn doors,” small halibut are “chickens.”
Below, Adam wearing his GoPro hooked a ling cod, not in season, and threw him back. 
All the rods are put away below, the Kenai mountains off in the distance.
We each caught two rock fish, great fight for a smaller fish.
Jamie and husband Scott with all our catch.
Scott and Jamie with our Catch
Nat and Alyra with all our catch.
Nat and daughter Alyra with our Seward Catch
Lady friends with all our catch. Great fishing ladies!
Lady friends with our Seward Cat
John, John and Ed showing off all our catch. I gave a thumbs up!
Ed with his “barn door” halibut. This barn door is what I hoped to catch on this Alaska adventure. Success never felt so good. I was in the gym for three months to prepare for the fish fight of my life. Good thing I did! Not bad for my senior body!
Ed and John show off their big ones.
Below is our Kasilof Drift Boat Launch.
Nat caught one sockeye, nice fish, and lost a king salmon.
Male and female loons below
Loons on the Kasilof River
Bald Eagle I photo’d on shores of Kasilof River. Such a majestic symbol of the USA.
One of my best adventures is the Fly-in to Big River Lake where ocean salmon just arrived to spawn. Below is our float plane, a De Haviland Otter Turbo. It seats six.
Fly-in to Big River Lake with De Haviland Otter- Seats 6
Loading packs and lunch in the float plane.
Just Landed at Big River Lake
Breath taking Mountain view at Big River Lake at the base of Mount Redoubt an active volcano
Dock At Big River Lake Lodge
We all caught three salmon here but saw no brown bears.
We take off the De Haviland and tour the local Big River Glacier on the way back.
This was my last Alaska adventure trip of 2026. Now I prepare to fly home with our frozen fish. I ended the trip with 41 pounds of delicious frozen vacuum sealed halibut, 4 rockfish, salmon and some codfish.
Below is our bus, complete with baggage and many boxes of frozen fish as we depart the lodge.
I enjoyed this Alaska adventure fishing trip. I bought this T-shirt at the airport. Eat Organic with Moose meat cuts shown. Photo on my porch and back yard in New Hampshire.
Have A Great
Alaskan Adventure!
