COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT N thwind Ch t s Sp t Fishing

On a beautiful and rare sunny day at the Woodley Island Marina while overlooking their boat, Fishy Business, Lisa Dallam and Capt. Matt Dallam shared about their experience running Northwind Charters for the last 20 years. Matt explained, “We’re a boat for hire. Clients book boats to fish for Pacific halibut, California halibut, rock fish and albacore.” Northwind Charters runs over 100 trips each year.

Matt started at HSU in 2001 to study natural resources. “He went to school and came out a fisherman!” laughed Lisa. Matt has a deep love for the ocean and wanted to make his living from it. “There are so many things to see in the ocean,” remarked Matt.

This was amply demonstrated when Lisa was out commercial fishing in a 22-foot boat and a gray whale came inches away from the boat. It went to the stern and bounced up and down playing peekaboo, sprayed from its hole and fin-dropped. “We looked like a tiny boat compared to the monster beast,” said Lisa.

In addition to running bookings for Northwind Charters, Lisa is the assistant manager at Murphy’s Market in Glendale. Murphy’s Markets was one of the first local markets Lisa and Matt sold their fish to, which they have now been doing for 20 years. “That company supports their local fishermen and I have true respect for them,” said Lisa.

And remember, says Matt, “We o er full-boat discounts — that’s a six-pack private charter.