Captains Cook Event
AU launches an exciting new event the spring – Captains Cook. You fish for three full days on the wilderness waters of Southeast Alaska catching king salmon, halibut, blackcod, lingcod, and rockfish. Upon returning each afternoon, you can take an hour or two to clean up and rest up. Then it’s time to head over to our pavilion where AU captains will share their favorite recipes for cooking the wonderful fish we find in the cold, clean waters of the Gulf of Alaska. Guests also enjoy sumptuous fish dinners each of the three evenings. Some of the ideas from the captains include: Salmon Wellington by Captain Conner, Fish Tacos by Captain James, Poke Bowls by Captain Spencer, and Margarita’s by Captain Tom!
This is a terrific opportunity for you to get to know AU’s captains better and learn how to recreate the favorite recipes of our experienced skippers.
Angling Unlimited Hits the Road
AU packed in three days of sharing why we love Sitka and why it is a world-class fishing destination at the Shakopee Show just outside of Minneapolis. Captain Chuck, wife Jenny, daughter (and processor) Grace, and Madi our social media pro rotated duties working the booth over the course of the weekend. Deckhand Blake Turner and dad Bruce, a past deckhand, visited our booth. They are AU’s first multi-generation deckhands (if you don’t count Chuck, Jack, and Luke).
The Shakopee show was modest in size with a focus on fishing and fishing lodges. We enjoyed unrushed time with show visitors. We booked 2 first-time trips to Sitka (early June and mid-July) and made connections that we hope will lead to future guests.
Thanks to all who stopped by our booth and gave us the chance to share information on Sitka and Angling Unlimited.
Next stops on the road:
Duluth, MN – Duluth Entertainment Convention Center
February 19: 3:00pm – 8:00pm
February 20: 10:00am – 8:00pm
February 21: 9:00am – 8:00pm
February 22: 10:00am – 4:00pm
Fargo, ND – FargoDome
March 5: 5:00pm – 9:00pm
March 6: 12:00pm – 9:00pm
March 7: 10:00am – 8:00pm
March 8: 10:00am – 5:00pm
New AU Dog
Captain David (DJ) Gross brought home a beautiful golden retriever puppy this winter. His name is Doc and he joins DJ’s other dog Flea. Doc’s mom Millie is an extremely sweet golden that lives in Sitka. According the DJ, “Doc and Flea are a nightmare and demand constant attention from me or each other. They wrestle and play for 3 or 4 hours then sleep for an hour and repeat.” Doc has more training in his future. He is DJ’s third golden retriever. His last one, Wilco, became a local legend due to his ability to escape any enclosure and go on long walkabouts. Doc joins 8 other AU dogs.
Madi and Jack Engaged
Madi, who works in our office, manages sales of day trips, and takes care of AU’s social media, and Captain Jack Barnick announced their engagement this winter. They met on the job at AU in 2021 and started dating at the end of the 2023 season. They will become the 7th married couple that met on the job at AU. We wish them all the best for a great future together.
Winter Weather Quiz
- Which city is colder in January on average? New York or Sitka?
- Which has colder water temperatures in January? New York or Sitka?
- How many hours of daylight in mid-January in Sitka? (sunrise to sunset)
- 5.5 hours
- 6.5 hours
- 7.5 hours
- 4.5 hours
- How many days of rain or snow in Sitka in January?
- 28
- 24
- 19
- 15
Answers below Hook It and Cook It
Join Us for Our 2026 Season
Hook It and Cook It
A guest-favorite experience, Hook It & Cook It returns May 15–20, 2026. Enjoy four days of premier angling for salmon, halibut, and bottom fish, followed by four evenings of chef-guided dining featuring your fresh catch with private Chef Lucas of Szmania’s Catering. Only two boats remain for these highly sought-after dates.
Quiz Answers
- New York. Each has an average high temperature of 39. New York’s average low is 37, 2 degrees colder than Sitka.
- Again, it’s close, but New York harbor can dip into the 30s while Sitka waters stay in the low 40s.
- 2. 6.5 hrs
- 3. 19 days