Photo: Fingers Bay

We’ve now been in Fingers Bay twice and both times had it to ourselves. Perhaps most boaters are in a rush to get north to see the glaciers. But Fingers Bay is worth a stop.

As we approached the entrance, we saw a humpback whale spout just ahead of us. Steve throttled back and we waited for it to swim by, keeping the required distance from it. Then we motored in, passing several sea otters floating among the kelp. As we anchored, two small porpoises surfaced off our stern. Low mountains, green from new vegetation surrounded the bay.

On our first trip here in 2007, Steve caught a 19 pound halibut. We hoped to repeat that feat. With two guests on board, I envisioned halibut steaks, halibut sandwiches and halibut stew. Steve got out his fishing rod and started fishing from the stern. At his feet sat Jigger, anxiously watching the line go up and down.

“Got one!” shouted Steve as his rod bent down. The four of us (five with Jigger) watched excitedly -- as Steve brought up a Tom cod. A second one followed but no halibut. Oh well, cod for dinner was still better than beans.