Steven Moore: Dennis, we've been discussing your new boat acquisition, 'The Destination', and I detect great enthusiasm in your voice when you describe it. You've owned many boats over the years. How is this boat different from the rest?

Captain Hay: The thirty-one-foot DESTINATION is, quite simply, the best equipped southeast Alaska charter boat - bar none! It is perfect for a group of 4-5 anglers and features a comfortable cabin, oil heat, stabilizers, large fishing deck, fast @ 15-16 knots, w/Cummins diesel power, trolling valve, custom aluminum rigging, custom built downriggers, Etc. Combined with my many years of fishing expertise, the 'DESTINATION' simply out fishes every other charter boat in Alaska.

Steven Moore: Your motto, "Focused on Your Fishing Success!" is a good one, but what does it mean? How do you focus on your customer's fishing success?

Captain Hay: All of my angling clients usually have 3-5 days fishing, so it is important to utilize our 'time fishing on the water' at the most productive spots. I base our fishing efforts on weather, tides, and 'early morning bite patterns'. Simply said, it is essential, with such a small window of opportunity, to focus on optimizing my client's productive fishing time. That's what I do every time, with every client.

Steven Moore: You've been fishing in Alaska for many years now and yet every time we discuss fishing you light up like a youngster on Christmas morning. What fuels your continual love affair with sport fishing?

Captain Hay: For me, fishing is a thing called 'Fishing Fever' and I have had this non-fatal illness since about 5 years old while catching crappie in Minnesota. Even after fishing and boating 34 summers in Southeast Alaska, the next day of fishing is always like checking out presents Santa left on Christmas morning! I thoroughly enjoy fishing because I am exceptionally good at catching those wily fish-critters! Sharing southeast Alaska's unbelievable fishing turns this 'ole Capt.'s enthusiasm up a notch or two, especially when my angling clients are having so much fun!

Steven Moore: You speak about 'stacking the cards' in you client's favor. How do you accomplish that feat?

Captain Hay: All of my tackle, rods and lures are top-of-the line. Combining the great gear with the 'secret' trolling, mooching and saltwater fly fishing techniques I have developed over the years; enables me to provide my clients with an exceptional Alaska sport fishing experience. I feel very confident they will enjoy fishing success each time we set out to the 'happy fishing grounds.' Part of their success is due to my assessment of where fishing success will be particularly good. I plan each day so as to optimize their angling success.

Steven Moore: Mr. Gordon Severance, a 2006 fishing client of yours, penned a Robert-Service-like ballad about you. What do you think inspired him to wax poetic?

Captain Hay: Mr. Gordon Severance of Houston, Texas wrote the Ballad of Dennis Hay. Quite honestly, it is hard to be humble when he wrote a ballad about his fishing trip. However, it was a reflection of how well his family fishing vacation went while fishing with me during late June, 06. His family caught limits of kings, halibut, and yelloweye while viewing bear on the beach, humpback whales, and eagles. They also enjoyed bathing at the hot springs just 16 miles from Pelican. Gordon is 85 years old and he will never forget his memorable family fishing trip to Pelican, Alaska.

Steven Moore: You've lived and fished many parts of Alaska. What makes Pelican, Alaska so special?

Captain Hay: Pelican is the 'Best kept fishing secret' in Alaska for salmon and halibut. Pelican is located near the most productive fishing waters in Alaska. We are just 75 miles northeast of Sitka, and near well known Elfin Cove, a few miles to Cross Sound where thousands of salmon migrate into Icy Straits every season. Actually, all of my established angling clients prefer Pelican to Elfin Cove where I owned and operated Elfin Cove Lodge for 17 years. We fish virtually virgin fishing waters with hardly any other charter boats nearby.

Steven Moore: Describe the 'perfect' Alaska sport fishing vacation.

Captain Hay: The perfect southeast Alaska fishing vacation is to enjoy pleasant weather, light winds, so we can comfortably fish the Gulf of Alaska where the fishing is usually fantastic! We always leave early and come back about 4-5pm in the afternoon in time for deluxe meals at 'Big Mick's' Wheelwatch Lodge and Lounge where we kick back and plan our next day of fishing. Pelican is a fun fishing village mixing with the locals, enjoying some spirits & cheer...Hey, Let's go fishing!

Steven Moore: You've had many fishing adventures. Describe the most memorable one.

Captain Hay: The most memorable fishing experience for me was July 1, 1966 while fishing my very first day in Alaska with a Hoonah native, Johan Dybdahl. We caught a 62 lb king salmon! Then, during early August, Johan took me along while we caught over 100 Coho hand trolling with rod and reel at Spaski Bay just a few miles from Hoonah. Johan is certainly one of Hoonah's best anglers. He taught me a lot about saltwater fishing. Johan took first place in the 1972 Golden North Salmon Derby in Juneau with a 41 lb king. Those early days with Johan Dybdahl established the 'Alaska fishing Fever' that's still with me today!