Deckhand Position – Coles Creek

The mission on the Coles Creek is straightforward:

1. Safety

2. Catch Fish

3. Have Fun

In that order.

This isn't a "party boat" or a summer vacation with a paycheck attached. If your ideal season involves spending nights in town, hanging out at bars, and making a little extra cash on the side, this probably isn't the right fit.

We're here to work. Our goal is to fish hard, fish safely, and maximize earnings for everyone onboard. We have a short season—roughly three months—to make what many people earn in a year. The effort put in by the crew directly impacts what everyone takes home.

Commercial fishing isn't glamorous. There will be days when you're exhausted, soaked to the bone, cold, sore, and covered in jellyfish slime. You'll work long hours and face uncomfortable conditions.

But there will also be moments few people ever get to experience. You'll watch whales breach alongside the boat, see bald eagles snatch salmon from the water, and witness pods of orcas moving through Prince William Sound. It's one of the most remarkable places on earth—but you'll experience it as a working fisherman, not as a tourist.

When we're not actively fishing, we're preparing to fish. That means maintaining gear, repairing nets, searching for fish, getting ready for the next opening, and taking care of the boat. Everyone contributes. There is no "that's not my job" mentality here.

Traits you need to have 

• Initiative and a willingness to learn

• Strong situational awareness

• A solid work ethic

• Physical fitness suited for commercial fishing

• A team-first mindset

• The ability to perform when tired, wet, cold, and uncomfortable

• Perseverance, determination, and a positive attitude

• Someone who can embrace the suck, keep moving forward, and get the job done

If you're looking for an easy summer, this isn't it.

Commercial fishing will probably test you in a way that you may not have been before- problems will arise where quitting seems like the only viable option. What you'll learn with us is that with the right attitude, enough time and effort we can find a solution to just about anything. 

Some manual labor experience is required. Time spent on boats/on the water is a bonus. Better yet is if you've lived in remote work camps and have experience solving problems with limited resources. Good people skills are a must. This is tight quarters living, and often you will need to put aside your own problems in order to keep the boat working and living as a cohesive unit. I've found that people who love the outdoors fit best into this environment. Athletes and naturally competitive individuals seem to enjoy the culture of fishing more often than not. We are competing and fighting for our share of the fish, enjoying that fight will make this more rewarding for you. 

All of that being said, I'm trying to have fun out here. Big days on the boat are like nothing else I've experienced, and you'll see some of the most beautiful scenery in the world that most people will never get a chance to be around. I'm a lifelong skier and mountain athlete; I started fishing on my dad's boat when i was 13, and quickly realized that this is a career I could learn in order to fund my life in the mountains. My younger brother is my right hand man and has also been fishing for 10+ years, often you will be learning the ropes from him. This will be my 8th season running the boat, and I've been steadily climbing the ranks- last year we were in the top 20-15% of a 220 boat fleet. If there are fish around we are going to find them. 

Pay is a percentage of gross poundage caught, thus the big variable in pay- fish returns are never fixed, you have to be ok with maybe making a bunch of money, and maybe not. 

If all of this sounds like something you might be interested in, I'd love to get a chance to talk to you.