Friends of Tanaku

As we were leaving on the morning of July 19th, 2007, we all witnessed whales breaching approx. one mile from the lodge. We watched them going crazy (for what ever reason) from the Tanaku deck and living room. The breaching lasted about 15 - 20 minutes. Next year I will equip myself with a better camera and a more powerful detachable zoom lens.

I am not sure what I loved best:

1. The breaching whales
2. The giant barndoors
3. The magnificent sunsets among the breathtaking scenery
4. The food which is, at times, beyond belief !!

Only 341 days until next year's visit to Elfin Cove !!

Click here to visit a slideshow of my trip

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Jerry McGrath <:)))))))><

Well, the Tanaku 07 trip to Elfin Cove is now history. For the first time, I attended this "Alaskan Fishing Festival" at the Tanaku Lodge for almost two weeks (July 6 - July 19), as opposed to the regular 6 night / 5 day jaunt. Accompanying me for a one week stay was my wonderful better half, Cathie, and a contingent of 25 anglers from the NY / NJ Metro and L.I. areas. Highlights were many, including:

1. a one-in-a-kind / to-die-for ALASKA sunset on July 8th.
2. breaching humpback whale shows (During my stay, I witnessed over 25 breaches - AMAZING!!)
3. many, many....large to mombo-size halibut (largest weighed 279 lbs., caught by Rich Rosenka of Shoreham)
4. jigging and mooching for a wide array of fish that included ling cod, king salmon, yellow eye, black sea bass, pink salmon, quillback, tiger rockfish, Coho, Sockeye salmon, and others whose names escape me
5. the usual "ho-hum" displays of otters, sea lions, eagles, puffins, muirs, and a cast of many others
6. a masterful culinary production of scrumptious table fare led by the nearly famous chef from Idaho, Jessie Jenkins. Feasting on her coconut / wasabi Coho dish and macadamia-choco cake are never-forget experiences!
7. 12-year-old Hayden Meier's capture of a 180 lb halibut! I was witness to the feat and this kid got absolutely no assistance from Capt. Joe Calandra, or myself. That's what happens when Dad and Mom own a lodge. He was so proud; grinning ear-to-ear. The behemoth toped his largest to date by 40 lbs.

If you are into halibut weight numbers, here are some statistics that were attained by some of our group members:
Lou Truncali (Fresh Meadows) - 128 lbs
Joe Renison (Glen Head) - 112 lbs
John Woodiwiss (East Meadow) - 119 lbs
Steven Woodiwiss (East Meadow) - 102 lbs
Mike Maher (Staten Island) - 109 lbs
Bill Brodin Jr. (Cheshire, CT) - 260 lbs
Mike Mecir (Maspeth) - 109 lbs
Mike McLean (Flanders) - 101 and 122 lbs
Rich Riccardi Sr. (Ft. Salonga) - 154 lbs
Rich Riccardi Jr. (Smithtown) - 108 lbs
Richie Jordan (L.I.) - 177 lbs
Jerry McGrath (L.I.) - 106 and 214 lbs
Note: Countless 50 - 90 lb. fish were caught as well, but didn't make Tanaku's 'BIG BOARD' for halibut in the 100 plus class!

Unlike last season, salmon fishing was mostly a challenge, as were the testing conditions from Mother Nature, at times. Some days felt like early March on L.I. and others offerred continuous fog. Spurts of Jones Beach climates in June appeared intermittently.

On a personal note, this year I was able to top my largest halibut ever, which was 187 lbs., back in 2002. On the last day of my stay, I was able to win a battle (and I mean a BATTLE) with a 214 lb. whopper. It was also the last fish of the day. Yes, make my day! What a fabulous ending! But the fun wasn't really over. The next day, BIG MIKE McLean, Rich NO MORE JINX Jordan, Phil NOT A BEATLE Bailey and I visited the Juneau Ice Fields by helicopter to go dog sledding. At first, the $445 admission fee for 2 hours caused me to hesitate. I thought "Why be a glutton, McGrath? You got what you came for." The other part of me said "Why Not?" Since it was such a beautiful day and I was with friends and I can't take my $$$ with my ashes, I said, "GO FOR IT!" Folks, to the penny it was the best money I've ever spent. All I can say is WOW!!! The helicopter ride with very cool musical accompaniment was like an aerial safari of Juneau's natural Sistine Chapel. To quote BIG MIKE....he said, "I know I won't go to heaven, but at least I've been there."

Wishing you many tight lines,
Jerry McGrath

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Slideshows

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Hi All,

Here's the latest:

Just got word from Tanaku's Captain Joe Calandra A.K.A. 'Eyeglass Joe' (from Bayport, L.I.) that the halibut fishing continues to be steady and, at times, outrageous! Last week, besides catching daily limits on King Salmon 18-22 lbs., his crew on the OSPREY boated six (6) barndoors during a 3-day period. These ravenous giants from the depths weighed between 111-178 lbs. Numerous other flatfish were captured that were in the 50 - 80 lb. range. The cohos have started to show up nicely, with some days showing limit quantities and other days just a few. As always, the marine wildlife has made some big splashes - literally. Humpback whales have bee breaching almost daily, just on the outskirts of the Tanaku Lodge area. In addition, a family of grizzlies have been sighted regularly at a nearby peninsula a few miles from Elfin Cove. Furthermore, unlike last season, the weather has been nearly spectacular, with many calls for sunscreen.

I will be leaving with my wife, Cathie, for a two-week stay at Alaska's best lodge, Tanaku Lodge, starting this Fri., July 6. I will return with lots of photos and in-depth first hand reports.

Wishing you lots of tight lines!

Jerry McGrath <:)))))))><
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