As the Sailor Loves the Sea

Salmon trolling is no dream of ease. It’s a hard and sometimes hazardous life, but dangerous in a good way because it tests your measure almost every day. There’s loneliness, bravery, often misery and frustration because you’re in a tiny, rolling boat and at the mercy of wind and sea.
But there’s loveliness too, as one hauls anchor amidst the rosy glow of a new dawn and cruises out of some wild, secluded harbor each morning in search of salmon. And when you catch one of these silvery, powerful animals you feel a glow, yet a sadness because you had to end the life of such a magnificent creature. But you’re a food producer, so you say a little prayer for the fish and hope for more, many more, before darkness drives you into harbor again to drop anchor, and hope it will hold, then ice your catch and cook your dinner and crawl into a narrow, cramped bunk for a few hours rest.
Then, after what seems only the blink of an eye comes sounds of chains rattling as nearby boats haul anchor, and you peer up at the skylight and are amazed that dawn is breaking. You struggle into your oilskins and boots and prepare for another long, long day. No one could describe the life better than Ballard Hadman in her classic book, As the sailor loves the sea.