Are you Zen enough for a Banana?

A Fisherman's nightmare or is it all just in your head?

There is a lot of talk out there about the power of positive thought. Whether you call it "The Law of Attraction" or you have watched "The Secret" it is basically the same thing. Our minds are very powerful and whether you believe in it or not just the simplest implication can begin to grow into a full on superstition.

I for one believe that we have great power and that sometimes we use that great power to our detriment. Like Bananas for example. Who decided that Bananas were bad to have on a boat? Very few anglers can tell you the history of this superstition, but yet most charter captains believe that Bananas are bad luck and even if it is Banana Boat Sunscreen the offensive product will get thrown off the boat and the offender is lucky if they aren't as well.

It's just a superstition! It can be traced back to two possible  beginnings. The first would be found in the Hawaiian Islands. (wouldn't it be nice if we could go there for a few days so I could teach this lesson? Well just imagine yourself there for now.) The Hawaiians would take along a bunch of Bananas and by the time that the Bananas were rotten they had usually traveled too far for the fishing to be any good. So they believed that the banana was the harbinger of bad news, thus becoming a symbol of bad luck.

The second story follows a similar path but instead of being the harbinger of bad news they were the harbinger of death. It was believed that when crates of bananas were brought onto ships they carried with them bugs and spiders that would bite causing pain and many times death. So, the Captains began spreading the word that bananas were bad luck.

Here's what I am asking: Come prepared to break down barriers and be free of the banana's mighty hold. We will fish and fish well while eating our fresh baked banana bread. Nothing will hold us back from "fishing up a Storm" nothing! Especially not an age old myth about BANANAS!

To prepare your mind you can read this article as well: Zen Fishing

10 things I learned while in Sacramento

#10 Q-tips can be used at any time they are found: I watched a gentleman ride by a couple of Q-tips on his bicycle stop and pick them up out of the gutter and then (this is how I knew what he had just picked up) proceeded to stick them in his ear and ride away. Yes folks they were still sticking out of his ears as he drove away.

#9 Somethings are better left as a memory. Do you ever think to yourself that you can't wait to eat something/do something and then your bite into your huge burrito and it's just not as good as you remembered it being? Well, 360 burrito I'm sorry but you let me down.

#8 on the Flip Side somethings really are just as good as we remember them! Hello Fenton's Creamery (http://www.fentonscreamery.com/), and Kinder's Meat (http://www.kindersbbq.com/). My mouth still water's at the thought of the Prime rib Sandwich with jalapeno/onion butter topping. The best sandwich ever! They also have an amazing marinated Trip tip, you can grill that thing to perfection at home. What better to finish off an amazing lunch like that than a "Black and Tan" from Fenton's. I grew up on this little ice cream shop, and it is still incredible with their home made ice cream, caramel, and hot fudge. Doesn't it look fantastic? (Fenton's was also featured in the movie "UP" by Pixar. It is officially a Bay Area symbol of Gluttony and I'm all for it)

Almond Ice Cream-fudge/caramel-whipped cream and a cherry on top.

#7 I still hate traffic and stop lights. Our one flashing yield light turned red this week and I couldn't believe it. Just my luck :0

#6 The State of CA has quite the gig going. Our booth at the show was right next to CA's Fish and Game. They were selling their licenses right from the booth and it was packed all day long, for four days straight. I couldn't believe it.

#5 I have never been a small guy, but I am bigger than I used to be. Who isn't? But I now know that I wasn't meant to squeeze into tight tubes chasing after my nephew. I didn't get stuck but I sure couldn't move as fast as he could!

#4 First Class is amazing! I love it. Upgraded on the way home and all though the gentleman next to me was probably tired of sitting next to a rookie. I will find a way to upgrade again! Ya buddy!

#3 It is important role I play in protecting our fishery. As I talked to CA fishermen I was reminded of how sad their Salmon fishery was. It only made think of ways in which I can protect our salmon runs while still enjoying the benefits of living in Alaska.

#2 When the plane touches down in Petersburg I feel the sense of excitement that runs through the veins of each of my clients. I think of all the fun that I have here and can't wait to see my family again! I love returning home. I live in Alaska, I still have a hard time believing it.

#1 People are excited about what we offer. As I talk to folks at the show, they are genuinely excited about what we have put together. The opportunity for folks to experience the beauty of Alaska from Whale watching- Glacier tours-photography classes, they want it all. I love providing for their smiles. As my Dad says "We provide everything but the smiles." We can wait to see yours!

two pictures to bring a smile. Petersburg Alaska

Sandy Beach, Petersburg, Alaska

The many hats of a small business owner....

Ah the many hats we all wear, isn't it interesting that it can be hard to switch those caps as fast as we would like to? Wouldn't it be nice to have enough business that you could afford to hire good solid employees that will do the work in a way that you are proud of?

The American Dream right? Well, that will be my goal for five years out. Right now though between, myself, my Wife, my Father and, my Mother we wear all of the caps. I am lucky to have them! My Wife is an incredible photographer and designer, D'Ann(my Mom) is the financial heart of the operation, And my Dad is the true heart, soul, and knowledge of the business. Me, well I am the lackey! The one that blogs, does the marketing, tiles bathrooms, installs wood floors in the bedrooms, upgades the water heater so we never run out, and familiarizes himself with the best fishing spots in Petersburg.(I will be gone for a week crabbin', shrimpin', and deer hunting in two weeks...what a place!)

You are right I wear some of the best CAPS. I love my Job, and those I work with. (Who can literally say they love those they work with?) When you come fishing with us, you might see me change my hat a few times during the day too. I will change it from Chef, to Chauffeur, to Guide, to Fish prep, back to Chef, and then by the end of the week to your new best friend!

Come fishing with me, I know that you will change your cap too, from Fisherman to Family. Welcome to Alaska!