Fishing in Tongass
National Forest
T
ongass National Forest, located in
southeastern Alaska, holds the title
as the largest national forest in the U.S. It
is home to 16.8 million acres—58 percent
covered by trees—and prides itself on the
uniqueness of having no threatened or
endangered species. The forest's abundance
of water provides one of the best cold
water fishing spots in the world.
In August 2013, Donald Higginbotham,
along with his brother and son-in-law, made
the trek to Yakutat, Alaska, for a nine-day
fishing expedition, including access to a
cabin in the middle of Tongass National
Forest. For Higginbotham, this was a dream
come true. Accessible only by bush plane,
the nearby Italio River is home to many
species of salmon, specifically pinks and
silvers—250 pounds of which Higginbotham
and his family brought home.
Although not his first visit to Tongass
National Forest, Higginbotham considers
it his most enjoyable thus far. It was the
"best fishing trip we've ever had," he says.
"Our son-in-law came with us, and it made
it interesting. It was his first time."
Higginbotham, who retired from Davey
as a production manager in December
2001, still checks in to his former Houston
office a few times a year to make sure
everyone is doing well. Higginbotham
enjoys reading the MyDavey Bulletin and
takes particular pride in seeing his home
office featured. As he says, "I like to keep
up with what's going on with Davey."
Davey Around
the World
The Davey Tree Expert Company
P.O. Box 5193
Kent, Ohio 44240-5193
