Growing up in Hawaii you fish. It might be a few times a year on camping trips or with family or you might fish every week. You also grew up watching the local fishing shows. You watched Bruce, Hari, Mike, Stan, Merlinda, Dave, or Ben. My family was no different.

The shows covered fishing in Hawaii and other places that they went to outside of Hawaii. One of those was the Yamada family that has a fishing lodge on Shelter Island called Shelter Lodge in Alaska. My dad and brothers would always say “one of these years we have to go.” My dad and brother Matt were the first to go starting in the 90’s. They loved it so much that they went back many times. They talked so much about it that other family and friends, including me, also started going. I am forever grateful that I went – it is a bucket list item for many.

Our brother Matt Minford had made numerous trips to Shelter Lodge – it was one of his favorite places to go to. Matt was a kind soul and sadly he passed away this past December. In May of this year, we returned to Shelter Lodge located in Juneau Alaska to spread his ashes. Matt and our dad both loved going to the lodge, all the wildlife that Alaska offers, the fishing, and most important the people that make the lodge happen.

One of Matt’s wishes was to have his ashes spread on Shelter Island. I called Alaska Reel Adventures in January to see if there were any remaining openings at the Lodge this year. Jackie Yamada answered the phone. I inquired about availability for this year’s upcoming season but was told they were sold out. Jackie asked who she was talking to, and I told her who it was and about Matt, his passing and his wish, Jackie immediately said “we need to make this happen.”

Jackie and her husband Richard used to run the Lodge. That duty has been taken over by Richard’s son Kenji Yamada (Matt’s favorite boat Captain). Jackie called Kenji to see what could be done. Jackie called me back within minutes and said Kenji said we could come for the early season for three days. We were very honored and said we would be there.

My younger brother Patrick and his two children, Mateo and Luciana would also be there to honor their uncle.

We arrived in Juneau and were met by Lodge Captains Brandon Lux and Michael Anstett. They drove us and our luggage to Auke Bay where we boarded one of the lodge boats and headed to Shelter Island.

This was my fifth trip to the lodge but the first in twenty years. Arriving in Juneau, and especially the boat ride to Shelter Island, brought back so many memories of passed fishing trips at the lodge with Matt, our father, and other family and friends.

After the twenty-minute boat ride we arrived at Shelter Island and transferred to a smaller boat that took us to shore. The lodged staff and the lodge dogs Blue and Huk met us at the shoreline. When I saw Kenji, my eyes filled with tears thinking of Matt and my heart with gratitude to be back on Shelter Island.

Matt and our dad had their annual fishing trip planned for August of 2001. It was a double trip meaning they booked two back-to-back packages. That is how much they loved it. Unfortunately, our dad passed away in February of 2001. Of course, Matt still went, and Patrick went in our dad’s place. They spread some of our dads’ ashes on Shelter Island – that was one of his wishes as well. Many special moments took place during that trip, one of which we think was a small miracle. Matt caught the lodge record for a Halibut – a 270lb fish. We think our dad had a hand in hooking that fish.

On the boat that day in 2001 were Captain Kenji, Masa and Celestine Uradomo from Kula, Patrick, and Richard Yamada. Richard went on the boat that day to take video for an upcoming Clam Bake (a tradeshow event for invited returning guests and potential new lodge guests). Catching the monster Halibut was caught on video.

Matt was blessed to take many trips to Shelter Lodge with Masa and Celestine – two of the best people you could ever meet. Masa passed away in 2012, but Celestine still makes her annual trip to Shelter Lodge, to fish, see the Yamada’s and the lodge staff and create more memories.

And that is another one of the miracles of Shelter Island and Shelter Lodge. Your first trip is for the fishing. Your second trip and every trip thereafter are about the magic of Shelter Lodge and the staff and the natural beauty of Alaska. All made possible because Richard Yamada and his family kept at it for more than 40 years and grew Shelter Lodge into what it is today.

On Friday, May 24 we went out in two of the Lodge boats to spread Matt’s ashes on the water fronting Shelter Island. It was a once in a lifetime sendoff and we know part of Matt will always be in Alaska looking down on Shelter Island with the biggest smile – and catching monster Halibut.

It is why two special people to me wanted their ashes spread there. Their annual trip gave them something to look forward to every year and Matt had special challenges – but he could be himself, have amazing fun with so many people that were now like family and the icing on the cake: catching fish and holding a lodge record.

Everyone should have the experience of going to Alaska. It is a beautiful state filled with natural beauty. If you have the urge to go – do it, you will not be disappointed. And you might catch a lodge record.

We cannot thank the Yamada’s and all the Shelter Lodge Staff, all the guests that we fished with over the years and all that they did for Matt, our father, and our family. Thank you for sharing the magic with so many people from around Hawaii and the world. We will be back to create new memories and experience more of the magic of Shelter Lodge created by the Yamada’s and all the staff.