Alaska Blues: A Season of Fishing the Inside Passage

by Joe Upton

"...A beautifully written book about commercial fishing in coastal waters. Joe Upton delivers both the reality and romance of Southeast Alaska."--David Guterson, author of "Snow Falling on Cedars" FOR SEVEN MONTHS Joe Upton steered his 30-foot boat, the "Doreen," through the open channels and narrow, twisting passageways of Southeast Alaska, living the life of an itinerant commercial fisherman far from home. This is Upton's award-winning account of that season--the lonely hours at sea as well as the close community of the fishing fleet; the sudden, violent storms and glorious days of sunshine; the difficult, frenzied work and quiet moments of contemplation. "Alaska Blues" endures as a powerful and enduring portrait of a time and place--of a people and their way of life and the haunting, beautiful shores that draw them back, season after season.

Genres: Nonfiction, Travel

235 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1977

Reviews

[James S · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you've ever seen a fishing boat (or a picture of one) along the rugged wooded shores of the far northwest, and wondered what life is like aboard one, this is definitely the book for you!

As a sailor, and wanna-be-fisherman, I really enjoyed this book. It alternates between a daily diary/log and sections explaining key parts of the techniques or industry.

[Ben · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fine, but a bit slow at times. Kept finding myself wondering how different the industry and the problems faced in the book and the way of life for the small time guys (if there’s any left) is 50 years later.

[Lizz · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating look into a world I knew nothing about.

[Elizabeth R · Rating 4 out of 5]

So much fun to read about a fishing era that is largely past and gone - something the author addresses in the foreword. I am intrigued by anything Alaskan, and this way of life certainly is. I enjoyed the journal-style format, and sly asides poking fun at himself and everyone else. He has an outdoorsman's characteristic understatement when referencing things like seas that almost swamp his boat. I so appreciate him including things that really make the land and life alive, like whales singing, his friend's little daughter being injured in an accident, and explorations of any number of abandoned canneries. Well worth reading.

[Kensington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this type of book. Memoir of a man's journey fishing the inside passage and Alaska. Learned a lot about fishing and the scenery while following the journal of Joe Upton as he fished in the summer of 1975 with his wife and dog. Grammatical errors and typos abound but this book isn't about literary polish, its about the adventure. The author also included a ton of great photos throughout the book, which add a lot to the text. Definitely suggest this as a quick read.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very enjoyable. Good writer. Must be a good fisherman and boatman, too. Took it along for our cruise in Alaska, and enjoyed reading about familiar places. Particularly enjoyed what I learned about the different methods of fishing, and the fishing regulations, etc. I'm about to start on another of his books.

[Cheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Joe Upton provides an excellent "inside view" of what it was like to fish along the coast of southeast Alaska in the '70s. A good historical jaunt!