I'm not expecting a deluge of responses to this (apart from a disappointingly predictable series of pescine puns ).

I'm doing my annual fishing trip to Alaska again next year. In previous years I've just released all (!?!) the fish I caught. I have however noticed our transatlantic cousins assiduously take large freezer boxes back home with them, stocked with Alaska's finest salmon, cleaned and vacuum sealed. There's even a freezer facility at ANC where you can store them overnight to assist with this process.

In mentioning this to the outfitter at the lodge, he claimed that Europeans do it all the time and it's not a problem as the boxes contain gel ice and are good for 36 hours before the fish becomes 'an issue'. I've checked with UK Border Agency (eventually) and they say up to 20Kg per person (or the weight of one fish if higher - yeah right!) of cleaned fish is OK. but I should check with my airline......

I took the FTers standard advice and phoned customer services. Three times. The reponses

• not a problem as long as it's secure(?)
• no as the food is perishable and the gel ice is a hazardous liquid
• the surreal - ask at the checkin in SEA (if they say no? 40lbs of frozen salmon anyone?)

My questions

1. Has anybody ever done this, or been prevented from doing this, by BA? (Alaska Airlines are, pardon the pun, chilled about it)
2. is it really practical or will I end up with a box full of rotten fishy mush?

Thanks for your help