A Big Fish Story

Ketchikan, located in southeast Alaska, is a good place to fish for halibut. Sally and John Balch live in Ketchikan and have a favorite spot nearby to halibut fish. It's a secret spot, so don't ask where it is.

The Balches were fishing there one Sunday and having good luck landing cod and halibut, so they decided to stop about mid-morning. Sally started pulling in her gear and felt a tug on the line.

It was more than a tug, really. Sally said that she thought she had snagged the bottom of the ocean. Sally reeled in the line with all her strength, tired, and turned the rod over to her husband.

John and Sally fought the halibut over the course of the next hour. They reeled it to the surface three times, but each time the halibut regained strength and swam back down to the bottom of the ocean.

After more than an hour the tired Balches were successful in subduing the halibut, and after another hour were able to bring the halibut into their boat.

Back in Ketchikan the Balches towed their boat over to the local lumber yard where John works and used the fork lift to unload the halibut from their boat. A crowd gathered to listen to repeated tales of the adventure, and the Balches filleted the fish and gave away pieces to anyone who wanted a piece.

They had plenty. The halibut was 7 feet long and weighed 323 pounds. And Sally caught the large halibut with a bargain $39 Penn rod and reel combo.

*****************************

Garry Gamber is a public school teacher and entrepreneur. He writes articles about real estate, health and nutrition, and internet dating services. He is the owner of http://www.Anchorage-Homes.com and http://www.TheDatingAdvisor.com.

In The News:

Yahoo! News: Top Stories

President-elect Barack Obama and his adviser Valerie Jarrett decide on lunch during a stop at Manny's Coffee Shop and Deli in Chicago, Friday, Nov. 21, 2008. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)AP - President-elect Barack Obama on Saturday outlined his plan to create 2.5 million jobs in coming years to rebuild roads and bridges and modernize schools while developing alternative energy sources and more efficient cars.



AP - The family of a college student who killed himself live on the Internet say they're horrified his life ended before a virtual audience, and infuriated that viewers of the live webcam or operators of the Web site that hosted it didn't act sooner to save him.

Barack Obama (R) and Hillary Clinton address supporters during a rally in Orlando, Florida in October 2008. Intense speculation flared Friday over reports that president-elect Barack Obama is weighing whether to name former Democratic primary rival Hillary Clinton as a heavy-hitting secretary of state.(AFP/File/Emmanuel Dunand)AP - President-elect Barack Obama has moved with unusual speed to select officials for his administration, and senior Democratic officials say he intends to name Timothy Geithner as his treasury secretary as soon as Monday.



Former US President Jimmy Carter, former UN head Kofi Annan, and Graca Machel, wife of former South African President Nelson Mandela, seen from left, during a news conference in Johannesburg, Staurday, Nov. 22, 2008. Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter says he and others have been refused entry to Zimbabwe for a humanitarian mission. Carter says he and other members of The Elders group were informed Friday night by former South African President Thabo Mbeki that efforts to secure travel visas had failed. The Elders group was formed by Nelson Mandela and includes former U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan and Mandela's wife Graca Machel, an international advocate for women's and children's rights. (AP Photo/Denis Farrell)AP - Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter said Saturday that he and others planning a humanitarian mission in Zimbabwe had been refused entry to the impoverished African country.



In this Nov. 4, 2008 file photo, Gov. Sarah Palin, R-Alaska, acknowledges the crowd during an election night rally in Phoenix.  Oprah wants her, and so do Letterman and Leno. Fresh from her political defeat, Sarah Palin is juggling offers to write books, appear in films and sit on dozens of interview couches at a rate astonishing for any first-term governor, let alone a Hollywood star.    (AP Photo/Elise Amendola, File)AP - Oprah wants her, and so do Letterman and Leno. Fresh from her political defeat, Sarah Palin is juggling offers to write books, appear in films and sit on dozens of interview couches at a rate that would be astonishing for most Hollywood stars, let alone a first-term governor.



Actor and president of the Screen Actors Guild, Alan Rosenberg, poses for a portrait in this March 17, 2003, file photo taken in Los Angeles. The Screen Actors Guild said Saturday Nov. 22, 2008 that contract talks with Hollywood studios has failed despite the help of a federal mediator and it will now ask its members to authorize a strike. (AP Photo/Ric Francis, File)AP - The Screen Actors Guild said Saturday it will ask its members to authorize a strike after its first contract talks in four months with Hollywood studios failed despite the help of a federal mediator.



In this image provided by NASA astronaut Shane Kimbrough (anchored to a Canadarm2 mobile foot restraint) participates in the mission's second scheduled session of extravehicular activity Thursday Nov. 20, 2008 as construction and maintenance continue on the International Space Station. (AP Photo/NASA)AP - Astronauts up on the international space station faced the longest and hardest spacewalk of their mission Saturday, a seven-hour-plus excursion to wrap up repair work on a gummed-up joint.



President Bush walks across the South Lawn with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and National Security Advisor Stephen Hadley to board Marine One at the White House, November 21, 2008. (Jim Young/Reuters)AP - President George W. Bush, meeting at an economic summit in Peru with Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, says that given the economic crisis, its more important than ever for the two neighbors to work together.



Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, left, speaks to the media during a news conference on  Friday, Nov. 21, 2008, at the Annapolis Basin Conference Center in Cornwallis, Nova Scotia. Gates was in Canada to participate in meetings of NATO's International Security Assistance Force to discuss the Regional Command South in Afghanistan. Canadian Minister of National Defense Peter MacKay is at right. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Mike DembeckAP - Even in a global financial crisis, the world cannot afford to skimp on its obligations to Afghanistan, which wants to double the size of its army but will never be able to pay for it, Defense Secretary Robert Gates says.



New York Knicks' Stephon Marbury sits on the bench as the Knicks take on the Milwaukee Bucks in the first half of an NBA basketball game on Friday, Nov. 21, 2008, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Darren Hauck)AP - With two moves, the New York Knicks created salary space for a premier free agent and playing time for Stephon Marbury.



(From left) Senator Hillary Clinton, New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson, and Timothy F. Geithner, President of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, are seen in a combination file photo. (From left Craig Mitchelldyer, Andrea Comas, Keith Bedford/Reuters)Reuters - U.S. President-elect Barack Obama said on Saturday that he was crafting an aggressive, two-year stimulus plan to revive the troubled economy, warning that swift action was needed to prevent a deep slump and a spiral of falling prices.



Former U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan addresses a news conference in Nairobi, in this file photo from October 17, 2008, after receiving the report on Kenya's post election violence in 2007 from the Commission of Inquiry. (Antony Njuguna/Reuters)Reuters - Zimbabwe has barred former U.N. secretary general Kofi Annan, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and other prominent figures from visiting the country to assess the humanitarian crisis, the group said on Saturday.



Pedestrians walk past a Citibank branch in Singapore November 18, 2008. (Vivek Prakash/Reuters)Reuters - Citigroup Inc has begun talks with the U.S. government as its plummeting share price raises doubts about the bank's ability to survive, a person familiar with the matter said.



The crew of the Belize-flagged cargo ship MV Faina stand on the deck after a U.S. Navy request to check on their health and welfare off the coast of Somalia, November 9, 2008. (U.S. Navy/Mass communication Specialist 2nd Class Jason R. Zalasky/Handout/Reuters)Reuters - MOGADISHU (Reuters) Islamist militants in Somalia took steps on Saturday to attack pirates behind the world's biggest hijack and rescue the captured Saudi Arabian supertanker, an Islamist spokesman said.



Leaders of the U.S. automotive industry testify at a hearing held by the House Financial Services Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington November 19, 2008. From left are General Motors CEO Richard Wagoner, Chrysler Chairman and CEO Robert Nardelli and Ford president and CEO Alan Mulally. (Kevin Lamarque/Reuters)Reuters - Detroit automakers began work on turnaround plans demanded by Congress in return for $25 billion in aid as General Motors Corp said it would cut production more and give up two of its controversial corporate jets.



General Motors World Headquarters is seen along the Detroit River in Detroit, Michigan, September 17, 2008. (Rebecca Cook/Reuters)Reuters - The board of directors of embattled U.S. automaker General Motors Corp is considering "all options" including bankruptcy, according to a report on the Wall Street Journal's website late on Friday.



Traders work in close quarters on the main trading floor of the New York Stock Exchange early in the trading session in New York City, November 21, 2008. (Mike Segar/Reuters)Reuters - U.S. stocks stormed higher in a late rally on Friday to cap another volatile week as investors welcomed reports that President-elect Barack Obama has chosen his point person to combat the U.S. economic crisis, instilling confidence about the administration's ability to take action.



Reuters - The U.S. economy needs additional support measures of between $300 billion and $600 billion to help it withstand the financial crisis, U.S. billionaire investor George Soros was quoted as saying by a German weekly.

Al-Qaeda militant Rashid Rauf, seen here in 2006, was killed in a US missile attack in northwest Pakistan.(AFP/File/Farooq Naeem)AFP - The alleged Al-Qaeda mastermind of a 2006 transatlantic airplane bombing plot was killed in a US missile attack in northwest Pakistan early Saturday, officials said.



Former US president Jimmy Carter (left), ex-United Nations secretary general Kofi Annan (centre) and Graca Machel answer questions after they were refused visas and cancelled their trip to Zimbabwe. Carter has accused Zimbabwe's government of being AFP - Former US president Jimmy Carter accused Zimbabwe's government Saturday of being "immune" to the hardships of its people as he and ex-UN chief Kofi Annan were denied entry on a humanitarian mission.




Choosing The Fishing Trip Destination Thats Right For Your Group

Try doing a web search on the words "fishing lodge" and you... Read More

The Challenge of Brown Trout Fishing

Brown trout fishing can prove very challenging. This is due in part... Read More

Fishing Team Gear Helps Teams Market To Sponsors

Competition between offshore and inshore anglers has skyrocketed within the last few... Read More

The Old Man And His Bluegills

I started fishing a little lake just south of Somerset, Ohio, called... Read More

My Fishing Trip With The Pro

I was in Southwest Florida and was asked to go fishing by... Read More

The Alaskan Experience

"FISH ON!!"I yelled, as my seven weight fly rod bent over and... Read More

Do You Know How To Clean A Fish?

Now that you have caught your dream fish, do you know how... Read More

Selecting the Right Tackle

One of the most important things to consider when fly fishing is... Read More

Do you Know How to Take the Perfect Picture of Your Fish?

Nothing is better than to snap a photo of your big fish... Read More

Some Things You May Not Know About Luring Fish In The Night

Night fishing is becoming more and more popular recently, and for good... Read More

Introducing The Two Guys With Flys

Just when you thought you had seen it all. Just when you... Read More

Reviewing the New Berkley Vanish Transition Fluorocarbon Line

The visibility of the line was good. As we were using 2... Read More

Fishing for Salmon? Do You Know the Different Salmon Species?

Did you know that there are five species of Pacific salmon and... Read More

Trout Species ? Brook Trout

Brook Trout: Frequently gullible, yet extremely tasty, Brook Trout are wonderful trout... Read More

Lucky Hat

Do you have a lucky hat?It was a beautiful warm day in... Read More

Fly Fishing for Saltwater Salmon with Surface Flies

One of the greatest thrills in Pacific Northwest fly fishing is bringing... Read More

A Guide to Non-Typical Catfish Fishing Techniques Part III

Method 2The second method that works really well for me is drift... Read More

Cutthroat Trout and Cutthroat Trout Fishing

Experienced fishermen know all about the cutthroat trout. That is because it... Read More

Fish Cooking Basics - How to Transform Those Fish You Just Caught into a Wonderful Seafood Dinner

Fish Cooking Basics I must admit that I have met... Read More

Why a Blacklight Will Take Your Night Fishing To A New Level

If You Have Never Used A Blacklight While Night Fishing, You're Missing... Read More

Bass Fishing Tips

3 Lures You Must HaveDo you know what the top 3 lures... Read More

Finding Trophy Bass

Have you ever noticed some people have all the luck when it... Read More

Night Fishing Preparation, The Key To Success

Preparation is the Key To Successful Night Fishing, You Better Have These...Night... Read More

Reviving Billfish

Last summer we had an unfortunate incident with a swordfish we brought... Read More

Fishing Alaska: The Alaskan Sampler Plate...Part I

I just recently returned from my first fishing trip to Alaska.If you... Read More

Dry Fly Techniques

Dry fly angling is at the top of any fly fisherman's list... Read More

Night Boat Fishing Checklist

Boat Fishing At Night ChecklistHere is an easy checklist of items you... Read More

The Hendrickson Mayfly

Mayflies are essential to trout fly fishing. There are still ultra purists... Read More

Communications Equipment in the Wilderness

For Hunting, fishing, hiking, boating or cycling in all kinds of weatherCommunication... Read More

Chumming and Plankton Fish Catching Tips

In night fishing 95% of success is determined before your line is... Read More

Choosing Steelhead Gear

Steelhead GearLike many things in fly fishing you can ask 10 different... Read More

Caring for Your Inflatable Boat - Common Sense & Consistency Are the Keys

Thousands of years ago, the first inflatable boats, made from animal skins,... Read More

The Ubiquitous Woolly Bugger

The ubiquitous Woolly Bugger, never quite spelled correctly to my eyes, appeals... Read More

We Can Put A Fish On The Moon

This aint exactly rocket scientry boys...I picked up a copy of The... Read More

A Guide to Non-Typical Catfish Fishing Techniques

IntroductionMany of the people about to take one of my guided trips... Read More

Stories From the Heartland (Pt.1)

Every River Tells a StoryThe next time you begin a journey or... Read More

Anglers Who Want Quality Equipment at a Reasonable Price Need the Garmin 160 Fish Finder

The Garmin 160 Fish Finder has some big advantages over the competition.... Read More

Nymph Fishing Techniques

Small stream nymphing is a very productive form of fly fishing. At... Read More

I Gave A Brand New Rod And Reel To An Alligator For Free

One day a friend and I decided to go fishing in Florida.... Read More

Saltwater Fly Fishing -- A Tide Runs Through It

Saltwater fly fishing is all the rage these days. This excitement is... Read More

On The Road...With Jack Karpawack

Jack Karpawack here.I've taken to the road...Life can be simple,and life can... Read More

Three Main Trout Senses

An angler should therefore become familiar with the three main senses a... Read More

Planning Your Fly Fishing Trip

When planning for your fly fishing trip in Wyoming, there are several... Read More

Pitchin For Large Mouth Bass

Well, we have talked about flippin and now we'll mention pitchin.Both techniques... Read More

Further North to Alaska

With the excitement of my first trip to Alaska still fresh and... Read More

Women and Fishing -- Not Just A Mans Sport

More and more women are learning to enjoy fishing each and every... Read More

Erie Steelhead Flies

As we stated in our article on Pacific Steelhead flies, the steelhead... Read More