Lindy, one of my bosses on the Kathleen Jo, aimed her iPhone down the fish hold hatch. She called, “You hate me now, but you’ll appreciate these later!”
“No way,” I replied. “I’d never hate you, and I already appreciate them.”
And it was true. For a writer/blogger, there’s no greater gift than crewing for fishermen who love to document their life at sea.
Knee-deep in 4000 pounds of halibut.
Jeytlin, my enthusiastic helper, on her first time in a hold full of halibut: “They’re very slide-able!”
A halibut heart provides an early anatomy lesson.
Mike gives a knot-tying lesson.
A good mariner practices her knots.
Teyen, age 2, is young for the deck yet, but likes joining his dad in the captain’s seat.
Bath time for boat kids.
Balancing work with play: Team Thomas makes time for White Sulphur Hot Springs.
Sharing photos without their accompanying stories is hard for me, friends, but time is short. I’m mostly off-line, devoting the next few days to working on my book, and just wanted to give you a quick glimpse into our recent trip. (Imagine: that halibut you see in the store might have been iced by a five year old deckhand!) Thanks for understanding, and know that even without the exchange of words, you’re in my thoughts. Best wishes to all.
Great to see! Can’t wait to read/hear the stories. Happy writing! Happy fishing!
Incredible photos, Tele! Really enjoying your updates and glad you’re having fun.
Love the updates!
The photos are telling the story, Tele. We are still here!
Enjoyed the post.
What a great insight!
Cheers, ic
Wow! I’ve never seen a halibut before (you can tell I’m a Landy). Great photos. Amazing life.
An inspiring visual essay! Thanks for sharing.
Washington’s birthday weekend 1979. The hood canal bridge had just sank in a storm. I was in Tacoma on the F/V Kathleen Jo, along with Bill Berger on the F/V Myrna D, to have our refers changed from freon 12 to 502. Weather was not good and we had a exposed tie-up so leaving the boats alone foe the weekend was not an option. Bill went home and I stayed. Kathy was going to come over but we had just got a new lab puppy from Robert and Chris Nevaril of the F/V Christy Rob and where to leave it. The girls were ok, stayed with friends, but the dog. Kathy finally call Chris and she took puppy back for few days as still had some of the litter anyway. Great, won’t have to stay all weekend alone on boat. Winy all weekend, can’t really leave boats so what to do. A lot of cribbage, cooking and well, you know.
Spring break 1979 at Silver King Resort. Kathy is sick every morning. Can’t figure out why so to the doc wehen we get back. A week latter, Easter weekend, a surprise house warming party at our new house. What a good time to annouce to all our family and friend the good news. A new Thomas is on the way.
Summer of 1979 in Alaska on the Kathleen Jo. Little guy, we didn’t know it was a guy, was not as easy to carry as the girls were. Fished mainly around Sitka that year as went to emerency room a couple times. Everything ok.
November 19, 1979 along came our surprise, ask Jeff about surprise, son Jeffrey Allen Thomas.
June 1980, Jeff and family back in Alaska on the Kathleen Jo. Jeff has been on the Kathleen Jo every summer since. In 2005 Jeff became owner and shipper.
The Kathleen Jo has been a big part of the Thomas family for 36 years and still counting.
Thanks Tele for helping out, what a great friend you are. Rog
Tried to find a picture of Jeff in sink, but so far no luck.
Love the pics. Agree w/Patricia Sands! Love that the halibut are very slideable.” :>)