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Farewell To Kim

Kim McCollum, the voice of Angling Unlimited, bids farewell. Twenty years ago our guests began a long relationship with a friendly, energetic presence on the phone. Kim quickly established herself as the voice of AU, the person to turn to iron out fishing dates, book the trip, learn travel details, or to simply enjoy a nice visit with. Kim’s contribution to AU and the satisfaction of our guests can’t be overstated – she has been a pillar for this business, getting the job done quickly, efficiently, precisely, and with a smile. Anyone who has dealt with her knows she’d have to look procrastination up in the dictionary to find out what it means. She will continue to help behind the scenes but with the arrival of her new grandchild and her desire to open another chapter in life, she’ll be leaving the day-to-day operations. We feel enormous gratitude for all Kim has contributed to our success and wish her the very best going forward.

In her own words:

“As I reflect on my 20-year journey with Angling Unlimited, I find myself filled with a profound sense of gratitude. The essence of my experience here has truly been about family. The friendships formed and the countless conversations with our guests have been nothing short of incredible. There’s a unique joy in the process of booking a guest—watching it all come together, and then witnessing their delight as they return time and again.

The connections I’ve built through phone conversations, emails, and texts have greatly enriched my time at Angling Unlimited. It’s heartwarming to see repeat guests not just as clients but as dear friends. To have made such meaningful relationships is a privilege I will forever treasure.

As I look towards the next chapter in my life, I will undoubtedly miss these interactions and the warmth that fills both our office and the experience we create for our guests. I’m immensely thankful for the opportunity to be part of a team that celebrates not only the beauty of nature but also the bonds we cultivate with each visitor.

Thank you for everything. I am proud to have worked with such an outstanding team, and I look forward to seeing how Angling Unlimited continues to flourish. God Bless You All.”

What Now for AU?

For all our guests who have traveled to Sitka, you already know our new voice on the phone. Gabriell Bayerl will be taking over Kim’s role. Known by all as Bella, she began working for us in 2019 on our hosting staff. In 2021 Bella took on the role of Sitka office manager and has done a sterling job for the past 4 seasons. When our guests tell us that our business runs like a Swiss watch, Bella deserves a big shoutout for that.

In her own words:

“I’m excited to dive into this new office managing role, embracing the challenge of scheduling while building ever stronger connections with our amazing guests.”

New Contact Information

Our new office number (907) 738-4746. Calls to the former number will forward to this number.

The Fare to Get There

It’s never too early to check on flights to Sitka which is served by Alaska Airlines and Delta Airlines. The flights book up early, so keep an eye on deals and availability. We’ll post any specials we spot, and we suggest you keep an eye on fights, too. Our experience is that Alaska Airlines serves Sitka more reliably than Delta. That said, if Delta works best for your itinerary, it pans out most of the time.
Please note that effective March of 2024, Alaska Airlines and Delta Airlines will not transfer bags between their airlines. For instance, if you fly Alaska Airlines to Seattle and then Delta from Seattle to your final destination, you will have to claim bags in Seattle and recheck them with Delta. This requires going outside security and reentering.

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