My Adventures in S/E Alaska Onboard the HRB

By: Cpt. Ferris W. Butler

When the founder of Project Healing Waters, Ed Nicholson, contacted me regarding an opportunity to fish the Southern waters of Alaska, I was still sitting in my wheelchair at Walter Reed facing the potential of two elective amputations.    I was slightly apprehensive at first, but with the decision made to amputate my left leg below the knee in early 2008, I was confident that my physical abilities would allow me to enjoy a week in Alaska in late summer.  Ed put me in contact with Garry Morfit, a Vietnam Veteran and the owner of the Hot Ruddered Bum, a one-of-a-kind sailboat that would facilitate my adventures in Southern Alaska.

 

I was to fish the waters of Alaska with Walter Reed Alumni, Sgt. Chris Short.  I met Chris coming off the flight from Seattle to Sitka where we were greeted by none other than Garry aka “The Hunter-Gatherer.”   We introduced ourselves over dinner in the airport and proceeded to procure rations for our voyage at the local grocer.  We made sure to forget to purchase eggs, which led Garry on a humorous quest to collect eggs from fellow boaters and float plane operators.  When we arrived at the docks, we unloaded the taxi in the dingy with our gear and food supplies.  It was pouring rain, which made this feat interesting to say the least for two amputees!  We made our way to where the Hot Ruddered Bum (HRB) was docked and off loaded onto her. 

I had certain goals for the week, which I had relayed to Garry – catch a silver salmon, watch a whale surface, and witness bear fishing at a river inlet.  The joke for the week soon became “sensory overload” as I was able to accomplish all of my goals and so many more beyond my imagination.  Every turn we took in Alaska offered a different perspective and a glimpse of what beauties this vast wilderness had to offer.  Here is a list of my “Top 10” experiences in just one week on the HRB:

1. Fished on the fly for Silver and Pink salmon, Cut Throat Trout, and Dolly Varden Trout. 
2. On conventional gear we fished the open waters for Halibut, Yellow-Eye (Red) Snapper, and various types of rock fish. 
3. Throughout the week we also laid traps for Dungeness crab and Spotted Alaskan Prawn.  (Having grown up in Southern Maryland and eating blue crab my entire life, catching and eating Dungeness Crabs was a special treat)
4. Witnessed more Humpback whales than I could count, coming to the surface for a breath of air.
5. We watched as porpoises followed our boat all over Alaska.
6. It was interesting to watch Sea lions fight for real estate on buoys we passed in the channels.
7. Sea otters made fishing for herring look easy.
8. Watched male bears and females with their cubs stake claim at various rivers for fresh salmon catches as if it were a downtown wharf.
9. Observed innumerable bald eagles, perched as if they were protecting the Alaskan landscape – they are truly a sight to behold and seem to command power.
10. I saw the most magnificent rainbow I could have ever imagined, witnessing it from start to finish and watching whales surface in the foreground.

Since I have left Southeast Alaska, I have not been able to stop reflecting on my experiences.  The magnitude and beauty of the surrounding areas were truly mesmerizing.  Being able to encounter the wilderness and fish the vast open waters of Alaska, gave me a new appreciation for what I can do in my new body.  I plan to make Alaska a part of my life and travel there for years to come.  As I left Sitka on my way back to the airport, I couldn’t help but stare back into the docks and wonder what it would be like to grow up in such a town.  This experience has truly helped ease my pain and transition into a new life by helping me realize my limitations are only those which I place on myself.