The Salty Sitkan offers visitors Sitka’s most unique fish experience in Alaska. Visit the only metal art workshop along the inside passage open for classes to visitors.
Mike is a 3rd generation high school shop teacher with a decade of experience making students and teachers alike successful in all types of creations.
Mike will start this fast paced class by making the sparks fly on a state of the art CNC Plasma cutter to supply you with a flat metal fish blank in the shape of either a Sockeye, Coho or King Salmon ... or dive deep with a Pacific Halibut.
You will get a unique chance to see inside a working cnc workshop and learn some of the tricks of the trade for turning dull, crusty steel into spectacular one-of-a-kind Alaskan keepsakes.
Posted By : stoobush
We had such a good time with Mike at The Salty Sitkan! Our group (two grandparents in the 70s, two parents in their late 40s, and two teenagers (16 and 12) took up the majority of the 10-person class. We started off with Mike demonstrating his plasma cutter and some of the science behind it, and then we each selected a precut fish/whale (there were several options) and headed upstairs to the shop. Each of us had a workstation with movable magnetic mounts, a dremel-like tool with two different polishing bits, a hammer, a blowtorch, safety glasses, welding gloves, and ear coverings. Mike gave us our instructions for finishing the underside of the cut fish, and we were off, shooting sparks in the air as we removed blobs of melted metal. This pattern repeated over the entire 2-hour class as we polished the front, then shaped the fish with the hammer on wooden blocks, and finally oxidized the steel with the blowtorch to develop a colorful patina.
Mike and Randy really helped us out along the way to try to improve the detail on the fish, like polishing the face to add scale features, or sweeping the blowtorch to shape the colored features.
As a parent, I really, really appreciated how Mike and Randy (both high school shop teachers (one retired)) treated our kids, which is to say they provided guidance, but they let them do the work themselves. Seeing our 12-year-old safely handling a blowtorch was definitely not something we expected when we got off the cruise ship that morning, but that's what we saw! By the same token, grandma and grandpa also were able to do everything as well.
When it's all done, they apply clear coat to the fish, bag it up, and send you on your way, or they'll ship them for you at a reasonable price (we paid by Venmo). Ours arrived via USPS priority the day after we got home. Now we just have to figure out where to display them.
This was one of the most unique activities we've ever done on a cruise, and I couldn't recommend The Salty Sitkan more highly. We walked there from the downtown Sitka shuttle drop-off point. It's about 20-25 minutes of easy walking, including a stroll through the Sitka National Historical Park (which I also recommend). The last 300 or so feet was the only distance where you had to walk on the street instead of dedicated walking paths.
Fun fact: on last week's episode of The Amazing Race (S36E07), which featured a welding challenge, they used the exact same arrow-shaped magnetic mounts that you mount your fish to in the Metal Art Class.
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Posted On : 2024-05-08 22:58:18 
Posted By : M8744JWdenisea
This was the most amazing workshop experience I've ever had. Mike is an amazing instructor. Highly recommend going, not only do you have a blast - you also have the best souvenir to take home!!
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Posted On : 2023-09-12 10:59:58
Posted By : 282gordonm
This activity was so much fun! I learned how to operate a sander blow torch! Honestly it was on of my personal highlight of the whole Cruise.
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Posted On : 2023-09-07 20:28:16
Posted By : victoriae407
The metal shop was a pleasant walk from where the cruise line dropped us off. I hadn't done any shop experience sort of thing in my life and was unsure of what I had talked myself into, but Mike led me easily through each step. Mike was very nice to work with. Hubby and I are both very pleased with the metal fish that we did. Mike shipped them to our house. The fish are still swimming around our home trying to settle on a permanent display place.
They have great light reflection quality. This was a great experience.
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Posted On : 2023-09-06 13:50:24
Posted By : T6599VCdavem
I brought 11 of my boy scouts and 4 parents to Salty Sitkan. We had a wonderful time and great memories with Mike. Mike was very patient, gave great directions with lots of encouragement for us all. All of my scouts want to go back. the fish we made are our #1 souvenirs from our trip through Southeast Alaska. Thank you Mike for such a great time.
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Posted On : 2023-09-01 12:41:55
Posted By : SunnyAndDuff
Highly recommend this class! Mike is so nice and easy to communicate with. The four of us had so much fun. He was very hands on in teaching the necessary steps. This is a great activity and you get an awesome souvenir! He even offered to ship it for us. We had an afternoon class and he also gave us recommendations of activities to do on the way. Overall a great experience! Wishing Mike much success!
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Posted On : 2023-08-11 22:43:39
Posted By : pasqualecP2232IA
Such a unique experience! My family enjoyed making the crafts and working with metal. The metal fish we took home will feature prominently on our wall at home and will certainly be a conversation piece for years to come! I'd highly recommend.
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Posted On : 2023-07-19 14:01:04
Posted By : alhagedorn
This was a most unique and enjoyable experience. Mike is a true professional and great teacher. I am no artist, but with Mike’s direction I created a keepsake wall pice that I created with his guidance.
His shop is a very comfortable and safe workplace and Mike is a diligent instructor insuring safety, cleanliness and commraderie with your partners and him.
I have been to Sitka more than 20 times over the years and this was a top 5 experience.
The class is just the right length of time and the art piece construction is a great memory.
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Posted On : 2023-07-16 10:01:11
Posted By : Pasquale_C
Our family enjoyed this unique experience and came out with souvenirs that we can’t get anywhere else! Highly recommended!
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Posted On : 2023-07-14 12:49:51 
Posted By : rondaa314
A unique must do experience in Sitka, Ak. And bonus you have a beautiful piece of metal art.
Mike explains every step of the way, lots of fun, especially since we did the class as a family. A one of a kind piece of art created by you❤️
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Posted On : 2023-07-12 18:22:23
