The Beginning

Branko Jurkovich

King Crabbing

From humble beginnings, my Croatian grandfather (Branko Jurkovich) made his way to America with a vision to build a new life. As an immigrant to this country post WW2, he established himself among the local fishing industry after settling on Fidalgo Island in the Pacific Northwest. He started with King Crab back in 1957 in Alaska and then ventured to herring and landed on salmon. Quickly graduating to running his own boat out of False Pass, Alaska. Here is where he flourished in the salmon fishery and began the building of what are now known as “Branko Boats.” My father soon followed in his footsteps and was exposed as a young boy, it was love at first catch. 

  • The Builder

    Branko Jurkovich using a Marskalot to put the finishing touch on one of his boats, the “Andromeda.” Dating back to 1993.

  • The Legacy

    My grandfather left his mark in the area as he constructed a string of boats (100+) with a distinct style. During the off seasons, he spent his time building boats for the locals. Photo dating back to 1997.

  • The Process

    Fish being sent on a conveyor belt to the cannery, circa 1960. This cannery has since been re-built in the last few years.

  • The Season

    The Sockeye Salmon run is “Cyclical” meaning variable each season. Three months on average, fisherman spend weeks at a time without touching land.

  • The Preparation

    Local fisherman on the dock mending and hanging gear. Pictured are the nets being worked on, circa 1960.

 

  • Elfin Cove, AK

    The “Branko Boy” named after my little brother and built by my father. My dad operates the largest salmon fishing vessel in the state of Alaska, out of “Area M.”

  • "Little" Branko

    Branko Jr, my little brother around the age of 10. Fresh to the fishing world, having fun in his downtime between fishing.

  • Paolo Jurkovich (Dad)

    My father in front of his Salmon boat as it’s being brought back up to dry land. Upon season finish, fisherman prep their boats to remain stored on land until next year.

  • My Father

    My father and brother, many years back. Our family extends generations in this fishery, with no plans to stop. Full steam ahead!

  • My Brother

    The “Branko Storm” is my fathers crabbing vessel for the winter Dungeness Crab fishery. Located on the WA coast, this is an aluminum build and operated during both summers and winters.

  • Anchored up

    In contrast to other global fisheries, the Sockeye Salmon run on the Aleutian Chain of Alaska is a sustainable fishery. Fishermen must purchase permits, specific to certain zones where The Board of Fish and Game highly regulates throughout the year in preparation. The industry maintains this standard in order to best preserve the natural fish spawning cycles, for years to come.

As a young boy, my father was raised in an exuberantly Croatian household. As the only son, my grandfather decided to bring him up for a season on the boat when he was only nine years old. Luckily, he was hooked. He loves the water and has a fascination for anything mechanical; especially boats. Fitting, as he’s now fished for 40+ years and still counting. He specializes in diesel mechanics on top of being a phenomenal fisherman (very few can do both.) Now a boat builder alongside my “Dida” (grandfather), the legacy extends generations and lives on. But it doesn’t stop here. He’s not only a Sockeye Salmon fisherman by summer, but a Dungeness crabber during the winter months on the Washington and Oregon Coast. A dangerous fishery to start, let alone get established in. Through constant travel across the Columbia River Bar, my dad has become a well known name in this line of work alongside his dad. In the downtime between seasons, my father finds himself building more in his shops on the coast. The wheels never stop turning in his overly-active mind, much love to you dad. My little brother (Branko Jurkovich Jr.) followed suit to the men of the family, with early exposure to spending his summers on the boat growing up. Now today 18 years of age, he’s running his own boat and owning his place among the “well-seasoned” guys that fish Area M.

Sincerely Jolie, the Fin & Mane founder