Introducing Chip and Ruby

We’re fortunate at Hidden Inlet to have a resident caretaker and all-around good hand in Chip Bishop.  First sight of Chip was when he was building one of the guest cabins a few years back.  He was walking across a foundation beam several feet off the ground, carrying another long heavy beam like a tightrope walker’s balance pole.  Thought if there was an Olympic competition for this skill, he’d be a medal winner.  Not a huge guy, but fit and wiry and strong, yet with a good heart as when he tried rescuing hummingbirds in the powerhouse.

Lucky for us, Chip’s a jack of all trades, and master of many, though housekeeping wouldn’t be one of them.  A person has to be versatile and knowledgable to survive and thrive in the more remote spots in Alaska, like Hidden Inlet.  Boatman, fisherman, mechanic, carpenter, electrician, plumber, you name it, Chip is perfectly suited to being winter watchman and seasonal guide, with many years knowledge of the area and its fishing.  A weather station was installed last year at Hidden Inlet, and Chip also mans that, sending info to the national weather service.  His half malamute/half husky dog Ruby keeps him company, as well as keeping the bears to their own side of the cove.

Chip says he looks forward to showing people what he loves about Hidden Inlet, and sharing his knowledge of the fishing spots in the region.  Here’s a picture of him with the 29 lb. red salmon he caught inside the inlet in February.  Unfortunately he didn’t have his camera with him when he came eyeball to eyeball with a killer whale while fishing this winter.  More on that next week…