For Jim Phillips, herring are more than just a means of cutting down the mightiest tree in the forest. (Apologies to Monty Python and the Knights who say "ni.”) 

Phillips, owner of Annahootz Alaskan Adventures in Sitka, guides hundreds of people each year to the spots where herring spawn.

And where there are herring, there are whales—and sea lions.

"Herring spawn once a year in the inner tidal zones,” Phillips explained. "They come to the beaches and feed on kelp and vegetation in the tidal zone. We have massive amounts of herring. Sitka Sound is the largest fishery in the state, and it has the biggest herring mass in the state.

"For thousands of years the herring have come to spawn in the Sitka Sound.”

The herring, which can be found in up to 400 feet of water, eventually migrate to shallower waters for spawning. 

That’s where the whales come in—mostly humpbacks and grays.

"What happens is that before the herring come in and before they spawn, they’re deep in the water, 300 to 400 feet,” Phillips said. "The whales and sea lions swallow them, and when they’re feeding, you get hundreds of whales. 

"This is the most likely place to see whales in the state, maybe anywhere.”

But the cetaceans don’t just show up and gobble the tasty little fish. They’re more clever than that. And that’s what makes the whale-watching fun. Not to mention spectacular. 

"Whales bubble feed on them,” Phillips said. "I’ve seen as many as ten whales coordinate their fishing. They create about a 50 ft. radius of bubbles, creating a circle around the herring. It scares the herring and when they go up, the whales come blasting out of the water as they’re feeding. They’ll do it for up to 90 minutes.

"The ones that come after the herring are 99 percent humpbacks. After the herring lay their eggs, we’ll get hundreds of gray whales feeding in the shallows.”

The spectacle lasts roughly until late April, but by that time, they may no longer be bubble-feeding as they become less active in the area.

Phillips, who has spent his 67 years in Sitka, said he never tires of the scene. 

"Whale watching has never bored me,” he said. "I started the whale watching tours because it’s easy to see the whales. It’s a no-brainer. You can’t miss them.”

Phillips added that there are more and more whale-watching boats that come to see the whales, which can be problematic. "This is kind of a special niche,” he said.

"Five or six years ago that many boats didn’t exist. But watching whales is always entertaining. The biggest issue now is at what happens when you saturate the numbers of people? It used to be hardly anyone came here. But things are changing.”

He doesn’t advertise the whale-watching tours much, he said, because the whales are often gone by the time the cruise ships arrive. 

But Annahootz offers more than whale watching. Hunting, especially Black and Brown bear hunting is one popular activity. Annahootz also offers sport fishing and sightseeing tours. Phillips is a hunting guide in addition to his whale-watching duties.

"When you’re in Sitka you find ways to make a living,” he said. "I’ve been here a long time. You carve out your own niche. Part of mine is whale watching.”

When he’s not whale watching or leading hunting tours, Phillips spends time with his grandchildren and his family. But he’s also a big basketball fan. Not the NBA or college basketball, mind you. He’s a big fan of high school basketball, specifically the Sitka Wolves. He is also a referee for some games.

But whale watching is also a passion.

"I believe this is a unique time and place for watching whales,” he said. "I don’t know of anywhere else in the world you can guarantee seeing bubble feeding.”