I live and reside in Girdwood. Alaska has shown me a life full of adventure. Fishing is my outlet to touch base with nature. I’m happy to be part of a concept that is beautifully desired and highly sustainable.
Joe Manthei/Lunker Leather: Redfish, Red Snapper, Drum, Speckled Trout
Fiskur (Icelandic for 'fish') Leather was started in 2011 after Pam Manthei and her husband, Joe, visited Iceland on vacation. What began as a curiosity with the beauty and design potential of fish leather quickly developed into a plan to supply this exotic product to fashion designers, crafters, fiber artists and hobbyists in the United States.
Since their original business plan Joe has been honing in his own skills tanning leathers from fish they catch during their travels. He uses a variety of techniques including bark and turmeric tanning. Salty Sisters met Joe at a music festival in Kansas and thus the collaboration began. We look forward to our future relationship with Fiskur Leather. Be sure and check out their website here.
Bruce nelson: sheefish
Bruce Nelson was born and raised in Kotzebue Alaska. He loves spring, summer and fall boating. He can be found cruising the Noatak river, setting subsistence nets for salmon, or checking the crab pots on any given day.
Bruce loves photography! It all started with disposable film cameras in the late 90’s and early 2000’s. A few digital cameras later he landed his first DSLR in December 2010. In 2018, he upgraded to the canon 5D Mark iv. Small portrait and kids photography jobs passed time until he taught his first class in July 2022. An article about Bruce capturing local elders and the meaning behind the portraits was featured in Arctic Sounder newspaper, check out the article here.
Kalani Aquino: Striped Marlin
Kalani Aquino is a 18 year old deck hand out of Honokohau Harbor.
This striped marlin or a’u was caught off the Kona coast with Captain Kenny Fogarty on the Makana Lani.
In his spare time Kalani loves to free dive and throwing net to catch bait. He loves fish in all forms but a few of his favorite ways to consume are Loki, raw or fried. On a day off you might find him up mauka fishing for sheep, deer, pig or goat.
He has a love for fishing that runs deep for several generations. His grandfather fished out of Kailua Kona pier on the Kona coast, just like him today. Kalani’s father hand crafts Hawaiian fishing nets and his mother makes beautiful pottery with the nets inlayed in the ceramics.
Pokula Studios was recently opened by Kalanis family in the brewery block in Kona Hawaii. It is a makers space and gallery that hosts classes and events. You can find Kalani’s striped marlin wears here as well as a variety of other Hawaiian species Salty Sisters wears.
Dustin Reynolds: Spanish Mackrel and Skip Jack
Dustin’s fish were caught while sailing the waters of Panama. We had the opportunity to be aboard S/V Tiama to assist Dustin as line handlers while transiting the Panama Canal. This was an experience we will never forget, watching the massive doors open to let the Pacific ocean rush the last locks of the canal was unforgettable. Our dear friend started in the Pacific and this was his first time to return to those waters in 7.5 years. Here’s a bit more about Dustin and please check out his website here.
I started sailing in effort to become the first double amputee to circumnavigate the world solo. On June 18th 2014, with limited sailing knowledge and even more limited funds, I casted the dock lines on my $12,000, seen-better-days, 1968 35ft Alberg sloop. My journey may have started with some heartbreak, a little ignorance, and a massive chip on my shoulder. This same journey and I have evolved to what I hope becomes a lifelong platform for adventure and exploration. I no longer care about a record, being first, or any publicity about my trip. I think what has made my journey to date so interesting is becoming part of a tight sailing community and my interactions with island peoples through the pacific and Asia. Many places I visit don’t have internet, hospitals, antibiotics, or any reliable source of outside information. One of the most unique experiences I have is interacting with remote islanders whom have never seen a person survive injuries as serious as mine, let alone see them sail solo to their home. Misadventures with my love life seem to also be entertaining for my fellow sailors.
Oceans Of Health: Snook, Whiting & Margate
Shane’s fish were caught while shore fishing off Indialantic Florida. He also managed to snag a snook skin from local legend and neighbor, Pascal, while he was preparing the Margate and Whiting skins.
A little bit from Dr. Shane:
“Food is one huge if not the biggest part of the equation for a healthy life, particularly sustainably harvested fish. I believe there are many parts to health... physically, emotionally and spiritually. True health is when all those parts are in harmony. The oceans of health are within you.
Oceans of Health, Chiropractic and Wellness opened its doors on Nov 7, 2020. It is part of the Lagoon Loyal program that helps restore our beautiful Indian River Lagoon. It is host to 4300 different species of plants and animals and flows backwards like the Amazon.
My wife, Brownwyn, has new line of lacto fermented hot sauces, kimchi and relishes from vegetables we grow at the community garden called Bronni’s Beat. I'm the Director of Outreach or as I like to say, The Ambassador of Buzz at the Eau Gallie Community Garden here in Melbourne Florida. Bronwyn also makes organic lotions, lip balms and deodorants. A portion of the proceeds’ go towards the Eau Gallie Community Garden. I grow rare peppers like Maleguetta, Puma, and White Ghost.
Turning trash or waste to art is the ultimate form of art I believe. My wife and I have built most of our furniture from wood that has washed up on our beach after hurricane’s Mathew and Irma.
My favorite fish dish is from my wife, Bronwyn. Most of the time we just wing it cooking, but I made her write this one down. To inquire about this extra special recipe contact Shane dr.shane.luettgen@gmail.com It is best paired with a locally brewed Dragon Point IPA from Intercoastal Brewing.
Two favorite things to do here in Florida are having a bonfire on our beach here in Indialantic and camping on any island with our friends around the Sebastian Inlet after a long day of fishing. We just bought our 1st boat, the Blue Kazoo. A 1959 Feather Craft, she’s a beautiful blue with gold trim and huge fins like a 57 Chevy.”
Jamie & Mike: Jack Crevalle
Many moons ago, Mike and Jamie cruised the barrier islands of Florida in search of a small coastal town with good vibes, and discovered a special community between the Atlantic and the Indian River Lagoon. Surrounded by salt, swamp and lagoon life, recreational angling became a natural part of their weekend culture. To them, fishing is leisure—it’s about the escape to silence, plotting courses, planning tides, and monitoring bait fish. It’s a bonus to bring food home!
Living so close to the water has raised their awareness of the effects of population growth, and they’ve since become community advocates for sustainable, low impact living, environmental volunteering, and lagoon restoration. #LagoonLoyal
When they’re not hard at work or soaking up local life, they're off trekking, paddling or pedaling to reset their minds with endurance, nature and culture…or enjoying a fine craft beer or two with friends, while getting funky with their favorite jam musicians :-)
Fin + Forage: Striped Perch & Sheepshead
In early 2020, a group of spearos had a conversation about ways we could invest in the spearfishing community to promote safe diving, ethical hunting, and marine conservation. The brainchild of those discussions was Fin + Forage: an inclusive, educational, and entertaining platform that serves as an information hub for spearfishers, cooks, and lovers of wild food.
Recognizing that content alone can only go so far, Fin + Forage is also proud to contribute to grassroots community-building efforts. Building on the success of the 2019 Monterey Catch-and-Cook Competition, Fin + Forage coordinates events where like-minded people can gather, learn, and showcase their skills. Our team is composed of environmental scientists, marine biologists, freedive instructors, photographers, and professional chefs. As the Fin + Forage network grows, we will continue to partner with scientists, nonprofits, and community advocates to ensure that future generations can continue to share adventure, community, and food. Naturally.
We at Fin + Forage love everything about our beautiful, mysterious, and powerful marine environment. Nature offers so much more than sustenance—it inspires the imagination, stokes the artist’s creativity, and offers an endless horizon for adventurers to explore. We are excited to work with the Salty Sisters because they share this passion for memorializing and celebrating the beauty of the natural world.
Christen & Andy: Mutton Snapper, Barracuda & Pigfish
Andy and Christen’s fish were caught hook and line while trolling in the Bahamas from their sailing vessel, Turned Out. The pigfish was caught using a traditional Bahamian handline from the dingy during Covid when boats were only allowed to move for subsistence fishing or if returning to home port.
We met this this season during our 2020 Gulf Stream crossing and we didn’t part ways for almost 3 months during the global pandemic. What a time to create and form a bond, we were unsure of so much during that time, if we would be able to obtain water, would we be kicked out of the country, do we have enough provisions, all the while be stranded in paradise. We spent countless days working on our outboard’s together, cooked dinners, did a bit of spear fishing and simply tried to soak in the surroundings that we all worked so hard to get to.
Two years ago Andy travelled to Puerto Rico and found the boat of their dreams. He sailed it back to Florida where they spent six weeks on the hard repairing the damage caused by Hurricane Irma.
Born and raised Texans, when not sailing and fishing, they enjoy anything outdoors from camping to snowboarding. Good beer and books are a must as is Mexican food any meal of the day. Andy is a bar owner and Christen a freelance writer. During the hurricane season you can find them holing up in Denton, TX.
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Travis & Kelli: Mahi & Black Fin Tuna
Travis and Kelli’s Mahi and Blackfin Tuna were caught hook and line offshore from Islamorada, Florida.
With their new boat they love nothing more than going fishing with their Black Lab. Ozzy.
Not only is their family good looking but they have brains too!! They both love science and have PhDs from the Florida Institute of Technology. He is an Ocean Engineer and she is an Oceanographer.
When not in the water you can find them enjoying a cold one surrounded by friends and some damn good BBQ.
Ryan Plunkett: Flounder & Omilu (pictured Ono)
Ryan’s flounder and Omilu were spearfished off the Kona Coast of Hawaii with previous contributor Josh Lambus. He plans on contributing ono, mahi mahi, menpachi, uku, kahala, kamanu in the future.
He likes to spearfish for many reasons, ‘being able to interact, draw the fish in, and cherry pick what I catch are some of my top reasons.’
Ryan has worked and lived on or under the water his whole life. Hawaii will forever be home but he travels the world chasing fun and odd jobs. A commercial diver, captain, arborist, pedicab driver, pile driver, crane operator, cement mixer, pressure bomb tech, fish farmer, caterer, welder, side-scan sonar tech. are just a few of his many skills.
His hobbies are just as versatile. On any given day you can find him slacklining, skyiving, canyoneering, climbing or hiking. He is always looking for the next rush and searching for those blind spots.
Colin McCloskey: Brook Trout
Colin’s contribution was caught while fly fishing with his family on Paradise Lake in the Marble Mountain Wilderness.
Colin lives in Scott Bar, CA with his wife Bethany and quirky dog Fern. He is a whitewater rafting guide, fly fishing guide, avid birder, hunter, hiker, and kayaker. He loves to raise, catch, and grow his own food.
Colin is one of the most passionate and driven people you will ever meet. He dreams one day of owning his own guide company and seeing a red crossbill to add to his birding life list.
Ray Kolean: Steelhead (pictured Rockfish)
Ray’s Steelhead were caught while fishing in SE Alaska.
He started charter fishing in 1991, wrapping up last year totally 27 years on the water. He also worked as a deckhand on a commercial troller and a few Halibut openings.
Lived in Bethel in the mid eighties, five kids, three granddaughters.
Ray now lives in Bellingham on the water with his girlfriend. His current project is developing a Bigfoot Tour.
Adam Snodgrass: Aweoweo & Barracuda
Adam’s fish were caught off the Kona Coast of Hawaii. The Barracuda was hook and line and the aweoweo spearfished.
Adam was born and raised in Hawaii. He loves fishing and spending time with his lady, dogs and friends.
He’d do anything for one of his people, is a fabulous chef and loves youtube university.
Adam also contributed Aweoweo a month ago. He took great care to get us these bright red fish. He was also generous enough to share the meat for our visiting family to enjoy for dinner.
Jack Mogg (aka Dad): Trout
Jack’s trout were caught fishing in the lakes of the Midwest.
Dad is a retired pressman of the print era. Growing up he took the family fishing, boating and camping. Now retired he does the same in addition to tending his garden. Camping converted to RV life and he traded in his full size bass boat for a 10 foot Bass Buster with 3 HP trolling motor.
Often his time is spent tinkering in the garage and listening to sports (Yankees are his fav) on his analog radio. He takes Moe for morning rides to the lake, enjoys a good ice tea in the afternoon and an ice cold Budweiser in the evenings.
He loves supporting his daughters in whatever crazy sort of scheme they have up there sleeves and will always help modify whatever vehicle they seem to be adventuring in next.
High fives to all the bad ass dads out there!
Billy Perkins: Yelloweye Rockfish
Billy has been commercial fishing the Alaskan waters for almost 30 years.
We’ve had the honor of fishing next to Billy for the last three years during our trolling season. He is truly a genuine soul with a jovial laugh that is contagious. If you need a hand, no matter the task Billy is willing to help.
His Rockfish was caught by hook and line in the waters near the beautiful Cape Edgecombe.
Tom Perkins: Coho Salmon & Vermilion Rockfish
Captain Tom has been fishing commercially in SE Alaska for 28 years. He loves his family farm, horses, garden and Coors Light. Tom is an avid birder, loves Sci-fi movies and is a very kind, patient teacher. He never limits the crew on what sort of food they can buy when provisioning which is a rarity in the fishing world.
Tom’s fish were caught on his annual ‘fishing’ but not ‘commercial fishing’ trip during the 2018 preseason in Southeast Alaska.
Tony Joyce: Ono
Tony’s contribution was caught while trolling (hook and line) off the Hokulani, a trimaran sailboat, on the west coast of the Big Island of Hawaii.
Captain Tony is an Arkansas boy that relocated to The Big Island in 1993 for a dive master job and never left. Tony is a motocross fanatic in his off time, loves camping and adventuring with his daughters and wife.
He owns a charter company in Kawaihae that takes people on whale watching, snorkeling, and fishing trips. Check out Kawaihae Offshore Adventures if you’re ever on the island!
Josh Lambus: Kohala, Omilu, Uku
Josh’s contribution was made while spearfishing off the Kona coast in Hawaii.
One of our favorite Big Island friends. Slackliner, free diver, cayoneer, sky diver, skateboarder, Josh embraces life and inspires people to do the same. He encourages people to try new things, on any given day you will likely find Josh surrounded by interesting people living exciting lives.
He is an award winning photographer and videographer based on The Big Island of Hawaii. His photographs have been published in many calendars and magazines, including National Geographic, Diver Magazine, Unterwasser, and Scuba Diving Magazine.
You can check out Josh’s work on his website, here, or follow his passion project that aims to inspire people to get outside and explore on Insta: @themakaproject or FB: @themakaproject
