Commercial salmon troll opening, Day 5

Commercial fishing is different than any other job I've ever had.  The biggest reason is that it's so singular: you're out on a boat and the object is to catch as many fish as possible.  There are no hours or schedule.  Time and work is dictated only by weather and numbers of fish. 

To be honest, I'm not all that excited about the fishing part.  Yes, I know, if you're actually reading this, you're wondering "what the heck?"  What I like is being outside all the time, but honestly having a cabin and warm stove to retreat to for meals and sleeping.  I like the constantly changing weather and ocean, seeing the occasional whale or porpoise or cruise ship or whatever.  I like not having to think about the past or the future, just the here and now.  I like being out of cell phone range and not knowing the news.  I like being on a boat, but having a purpose.

The trip lasted on more day.  We caught about 600 cohos and 120 king salmon.  I didn't get any pictures of unloading because I was ass over teakettle getting fish out of the ice and into the bucket which is hoisted onto the fish dock.

Interestingly enough, it was an "old home trip" for Tom and me.  He had taken me out on my first commercial fishing trip in the summer of 1980, 33 years ago.  I made about $1000 on that trip and about $2500 this trip.  He paid me 20% this time though as an "experienced" deck hand rather than 15% the first time.  I can't complain either time.  Luckily, it wasn't for the money.