How to do a Motor Drop in Alaska
The Royal Coachman Lodge in Alaska’s Bristol Bay region is a premier fly-out lodge that has “employed” me a few times to help set-up the lodge during the pre-season. I am not much of a carpenter and yet do have a strong back. So, because everything is flown in or out bringing a four legged mule is not as easy as bringing a two legged one (me). These good friends have not only loaded up my back but have also convinced me that sitting behind heavy outboard motors on the plane’s jump seat is comfortable enough for a nap. At each one of their fly-out destinations, the Royal Coachman has at least two jet boats waiting for their clients and guides.
After the Heavy Lifting is Over, Pike on the Fly
To make it through the winter the lodge guides will beach the boats upside down deep in the willows and tie them off. The motors are fogged and stored back at the lodge. So each spring, the motors have to be serviced and then flown out to the boats. Sounds easy? Well it is except for the part about the boats being deep (I mean deep) in the mosquito den willows and the motors being heavy and then you have to find the boats. Here is a pictorial explaining a typical day on a boat drop.
