Experiencing Ketchikan with Coeur d'Alene's Michael Bunker

It was evident why there is considerable demand for the services of Michael Bunker. When my son, Milo, and I were booking a fishing trip with the ace angler on a Ketchikan salmon hunt in August, the word was that Coeur d'Alene's acclaimed captain was unavailable for weeks.

However, that wasn't so, and we left the dock at Salmon Falls Resort for a memorable seven-hour trek off the coast of Southeast Alaska with the Seattle native. Thanks to the savvy Bunker, we caught three halibut on Cape Chacon. That was followed by a troika of King salmon off the Nunez Rocks.

Another highlight was a near biblical experience as we caught 15 bass in minutes.

"I know where to go out here," Bunker said. 

After eight seasons as a captain guiding, Bunker still enjoys toiling as a fisherman and it's easy to see why he loves the experience. Milo and I enjoyed four sun-dappled days in Ketchikan, which is part of a lush and lovely rainforest. 

"This is paradise for fishermen," Bunker said. "There is no place like it."

There's no guide quite like Bunker, who is charming, humorous and a terrific conversationalist. Bunker will bait your rod and reel in your catch but forget about the latter. There is nothing like the feeling of capturing a feisty King salmon.

"This is so much fun and I enjoy being out here with the groups of people," Bunker said. "I get so many people who come back since they like coming out here so much. It's easy to see why that's so."

With the Prince of Wales Islands in the background, Ketchikan is idyllic and feels more like British Columbia than the Arctic Circle since it's, well, much closer to Victoria than Fairbanks. It's a chill environment, and it's even better when returning with 22 pounds of fish, which is the haul Milo and I caught.

"This was the best fishing experience I've ever had," Milo said. "Nothing is even close, and it's just gorgeous out here. I had no idea it would be so pretty. But again, this is the greatest place I've fished."

Bunker, 58, laughed about how we couldn't stop smiling while on our expedition. 

"But that's not unusual," Bunker said. "People come out here and they're awestruck. There is something about the beauty here. This place is really special aesthetically. It's so soothing. You really get out to nature here in a way that you can't in the Lower 48. You drive 15 minutes out of town and you're in the boonies."

It doesn't take much to escape once you're on the water. 

"That's true," Bunker said. "Again, you have the same variety of salmon back in Washington, but the numbers are better here. There are less anglers and better fishing."

There's no doubt about that and that's why Ketchikan is dubbed the salmon capital of the world.

Bunker was hooked early on fishing while growing up on Whidbey Island. 

"I had a boat before I had a car," Bunker said. "I had my first boat at 14."

After graduating from Seattle University in 1988, Bunker left for New York in 1989 and became a fashion model who traveled the globe for shoots. After a seven-year stint as the face of such products as Hugo Boss, Calvin Klein and Banana Republic, Bunker embarked on a boutique printing business in Manhattan. 

"I lived in New York for 22 years," Bunker said. "It was a fascinating experience."

    Mike Bunker of Coeur d'Alene readies to reel in a salmon during a fishing trip in Ketchikan in August.