6

THE LOST JOURNAL: 1997 ALASKA TRIP

June 2, 1997

1st day of summer. The trip officially begins. Leave at 9:42 am. It’s wet and rainy. Driving North through some of the blackest darkest clouds I’ve ever seen. At least rain cleans the bugs off of my windshield. Odometer on the truck reads 94013

took 3 hrs to Seattle -arrive 180miles

Bellingham-263 miles 4.5 hours

Reached border at 3:19 PM odometer reads 94305

At the border I am stopped and searched. The guy in the booth thinks all of my answers to his question are suspicious. Glad I didn’t try to smuggle anything over the border. BC is really pretty. Green mountains and hills. The beginning of mountains. Lots of golf courses. Lots of great rivers as well.

After exactly 8 hours I have driven 424 miles and am just outside of Merritt.

Reach Cache Creek at 7pm. I am just beginning to wake up. Have seen much wildlife: deer, birds, eagle

Hit Prince George at about 11:30. Getting tired but looking for a place to pull over and catch some zzzz’s.

Rain Rain...driving through Washington encounter many police. Got searched at border. Canada is very scenic. Took wrong highway at Hope junction. Went on toll highway. I think it was very pretty. Especially the descent into Merritt. Other towns of notice...Cache Creek, Quesnell, Williams Lake, and Prince George. Chased the sunset north as I drove from 9:30 to 11:30. Slept about 30 miles past Prince George. Mosquitoes were attacking. So bad, I just huddled in the cab rather than battle them while unpacking the back of the truck. Nap very refreshing. In all, drove 783 miles today.

June 22, 1997

Woke at 5am odometer 94796 stopped in Fort St. John for gas. Fort Nelson gas.

Woke up, it was light out. Stopped before Dawson Creek and napped. Tried to go take a shit in the woods but mosquitoes were so bad I had to hold it. Took a nap at 8:30 and continued on. Have seen crows, birds, ducks, geese, coyote, and many moose. Drive has been pretty boring, lots of trees and hills. Most rivers are really muddy. Found good service station at Fort Nelson...had free water and nice bathroom...both are very important. Saw buffalo and moose. Nice places today...Testa River, 150 Creek, Muncho Lake, Rocky Mts.

Saw a black bear near Contact Creek. Drove through Watson Lake...scuzzy dusty town (it’s better on return trip). Saw a 2^nd black bear. Traveled 876 miles today. It was fairly uneventful today. Lots of driving, not much sleep. I’ve pulled over at 10:30—sun's still up....and I’m wide awake. Warring against Mosquitoes. Burning coils in the truck to make ready my bed. Sleep will be good....over ½ way now. I think I can make it to Tok by tomorrow. That would give me time to check out streams on way to Anchorage. Mosquitoes suck...if it weren’t for them, this place would be a paradise.

June 23rd

Woke up at 7am A wild hare was roaming the campsite. This is the rocky Mt. Campsite. Got some good sleep, ready to roll.

Odometer 95672

Attempted first mobile shower. It worked well, got the hair wet and combed, though it still feels pretty greasy...better than it was though.

Whitehorse 10:30am 95877

Nice town, large. Lot’s of restaurants, hotels, museums, gas, etc. It’s very hot. Funny this large town in the middle of nowhere. Why are these people here, and what the hell do they do?

Haines Junction 95972

Kluane Bay: possibly the most beautiful place yet. Purple fireweed lined the descending highway, like a royal carpet being rolled out. There are great mountains, glaciers, and the lake is a beautiful deep blue/aqua color. Best of all, there are no mosquitoes here. I was able to walk about in my shorts with no problem. Took 3 panoramic photos. Saw bald eagle flying about!

4:21 PM Entered ALASKA!!! Time zone change—1 hour.

Tok 96259

The highway from Canada to Tok is rough, with lots of gravel. Must miss getting hit with rocks. It’s difficult sometimes. Most people are inconsiderate in their driving (me included), and about slowing as they pass you in the gravel zones.

Stopped at the Little Tok River....to make a fly fish attempt. Too murky...didn’t catch anything.

1st real clear river was Ahtel Creek. Stopped at lodge, the lady there was from Mollala originally. She said they are catching reds at Nebesna.

Monday night: I’m within 125 miles of Anchorage. I have discovered that most of the streams in the milepost book are either inaccessible, muddy, or on private property. I guess I’ll be down on the Kenai a lot this month. I’ll be at Wayne’s tomorrow.

Tuesday, June 24th

Got to Wayne's at 9:30 am. Exactly 72 hours of driving time, wow! The road from Tok was smooth for about the first 30 miles, then it broke down as the frost heaves began. Must drive slower. Good water at Tolsana Creek and Gulkana River.

Got to Wayne’s house. It’s a mess just like always. Ate some lunch and began researching river adventures.

Odometer: 96608.

Total trip: about 2600 miles and $310.00 gas money.

Hung out at Wayne’s most of the day. Went by his work and his property.

June 25th.

Have contacted 2 charters for potential trips with dad. Looks like Mahay’s in Talkeetna will be the best bet. King’s are in hard. They want $45.00 for drop off service. Here’s my plan for the next few days.

I want to go by Eklutna and Campbell Creek today. Then thurs-fri. Head to Quartz Creek, Trail Lakes. On Friday night hook-up with Wayne and Joe at Brian’s cabin. Sat. Morning go halibut fishing in Homer. On Sunday go Red fishing at the Russian on way home. Pickup dad on Tuesday and head north to Talkeetna.

(in actuality the only things that happened as planned were the halibut trip and the Sunday Red fishing, as the next days entries will show...I had to vary a bit from the plan).

END OF PART !

PART 2

These are the days of transition from arrival days to the hardcore fishing modes. The missions are now to land prey. My attempt tomorrow at Campbell Creek should be interesting.

Spent $18 on flies at log cabin tackle store next to visitor center. Bought some glo bugs and egg sucking leaches.

I am convinced that the local fishing around Anchorage is poor. Some locals were catching small dollys in Eklutna (dog hole). Soaking eggs and sitting in their lawn chairs. What an ugly way to fish. Looks like my only hope is to hit the Kenai. Maybe I’ll leave tonight. I am writing from Old Glenn Highway near Knik River Bridge. The mountains and river are gorgeous.

Drove up Hatcher Pass and fished for a few moments on Willow Creek. It looked similar to the Clackamas. Raised a few minnow trout. Pretty place...I’d like to fish it again sometime.

June 26th

Leaving for Quartz Creek. 96858

Traffic on the Turnagain is stop and go. Highway is under construction. It took 2 hours to Quartz Creek. It is still 3 hours to Homer. Quartz Creek looked high and dark, I’ve made it to Wayne’s trail parking spot. Safari is about to begin...........well, Quartz really sucked. I caught zip. There are some fish in there though, they just didn’t end up on my line. The Creek was high and dark and a bit different do to last winter’s flooding.

Got fed up with Quartz Creek so I headed to Russian River. $9 for parking and ferry ticket. I crossed and went to the rock beach hole. Started fishing there at about 3pm. First fish I caught was a 24-inch Dolly, right in the mouth. I thought it was a small Red at first until I brought it to the bank. At 24-inches it was just legal. I also caught 2 Reds!!! It felt really good to get the first fish hump off of my back. Ate half of the dolly for dinner..yum yum. Put the rest of fish on ice in the cooler. I plan on going back to Russian tomorrow for another go around. Why leave if I can catch em here? Another couple of Reds would be sweet. At the Wayne hole people were keeping tail hookers. Didn't want to be a cheater like everyone else. Kenai was hot and sunny today, must have been 80 degrees. Scorching. Now in the evening its cool, clear, and low bug factor. I guess this is where to be.

Saw bald eagle today at Quartz Creek. It was really pretty. Seagulls were hassling it. And a squirrel rummaging through the grass scared me like it was a bear.

June 27th

Went by Hamilton’s Place to freeze filets. No need to buy ice anymore.

Russian River starting to slow down a bit. Have 1 keeper today. Hooked only 3 or 4 others, and a 20inch dolly. Fished from noon to 6pm. Man, every kook wants to stop and talk my ear off about something. Bald eagle was flying over the hole for awhile.

Arrived Friday night at Brian’s cabin in Clam Gulch. Beautiful ocean view. It is 11:17 and the sun is dark orange over the water. Will go to the beach for a walk. Joe made it in to town. We’re going halibut fishing tomorrow.

Sat. June 28th

Today we went halibut fishing. We used Silver Fox charter, in Homer. Fished with Norm, Ken , and Mike whom I met the other day on the Kenai. Halibutting was extremely cool. We caught about 15-16 fish between 25-40 lbs. I landed a couple in the boat. I think they were 41 and 32 lbs. What a struggle they are to land. We used a giant bait caster reel on a short stocky pole. Dropping the line to the bottom we fished with herring as bait. The halibut hit and swallow and then you slowly pull up to set the hook. Then the hard part sets in: reeling in the fish. My forearms ached and cramped, fingers blistered. What a bitch. I have calluses all over my arms, hands, stomach, groin. What a beautiful calm day on the ocean. Not even a hint of sickness. We headed from Homer, out over the inlet to the Baron Islands. There we fished in about 80 feet of water for about an hour. We had no real luck. I was frustrated because I didn’t even have a hint of a bite. Wasn’t sure I knew what I was doing. Was I getting bites?? Next, we moved to a deeper 200ft hole. Then we started to catch some fish. I got one that was about 30 lbs or so. It was hard work reeling it up from 200ft. Takes awhile. Then we moved to some deeper water the 7-11 hole. It was the sure thang but, it was also 526 ft deep. We let out line for what seemed to be 5 minutes. Just reeling in the line was difficult. I caught a 40lbs and a mid 20 lbs halibut. All 3 of us battled three or four fish each.

We split up about 100lbs of meat in 1.5 pound vacuum packs. It costs 30cents a pound to filet, and 70cents a pound to process. Must be rich if you’re gonna catch a 300lb fish. Man the experience and the fishing was great. If the weather had been rough, though, that boat would have sucked to be on.

Were spending a 2^nd night at Brian's cabin. Hiked down the cliff to check out the ocean view. Similar to Oregon seacoasts.

Sunday June 29^th

We all slept in at the cabin. Then we went up the highway to Clam Gulch Inn and took showers. They felt awesome. Went into Soldotna for lunch. The 4 of us went to the Russian and fished both sides of the river. I caught the only Red. Wayne filleted it so that each of his filets were as big as my hole fishies. It was my 4^th and biggest salmon of the trip so far. After the fishing we headed for home.

Monday June 30^th

Washed car, added some oil to the truck, went and did laundry. Filled gas tank went and bought ice for the cooler. Nothing like hanging at the Laundromat. To clean the truck was a welcome sight. Still looking for some fly-fishing. Gary due to arrive soon.

Memories so far:

Catching reds and dolly

eating dolly

dolphins, whale

eagles, moose, bear, coyote, deer

Brian’s cabin and coastal view

Last night’s sunset on Turnagain highway

Teasing Joe about his “chickens”

fishing with Norm, Ken, Mike

The Homer spit

Hamilton’s place

poor roads

the propane stove!!

Kenai camping...no mosquitoes

Mosquitoes at Tolsona Creek

Wayne’s couch

Alaskan coast

Rich’s hospitality

putting meat in the freezer

Went to Rabbit Creek / Potter’s Marsh preserve south of Anchorage. Saw king’s spawning in the creek. There were maybe 20-30 fish laying in there.

Tuesday July 1st

Went by Ship Creek today to watch them fish for kings. The tackle guy said to fish 2 hours prior to high tide. But, I saw all the fish caught were at low tide, about 3 hours before high tide. The guys caught them splashing flies. As usual I was left out. Picked a good spot though, one guy caught one right next to me. No bugs!!

I sat out on the spit and watched the jets fly by. A few large transports came in too. Saw them flying in formations of 4, it was pretty cool.

Dad comes in tonight.

Wed. July 2nd

odometer 97530

Took Dad to the Russian River today. It was real real slow. Only saw a few fish caught. I hooked and lost a couple. Landed nothing. Gary didn't catch or hook shit.

Thursday July 3rd

We headed for Sourdough campground on the Gulkana to fish for Reds and Kings. Fished off the side of the Richardson Highway just past milepost 146. Wayne hooked a King along the bank and that was it. It was a hen and was pretty dark. He threw it back because it was foul hooked on the side of the head. No one else had any success. Back at the campground we constructed a shanty town in the middle of the tundra. Ranger guy made us tear it down. So we rebuilt it in the camp area. Bugs are hideous here. Went to bed at 2 am and woke up at 8:30.

Friday July 4th

Waiting for others to wake up. Me and Gary need to drive up and see the 4 wheeler guy (3 hour trip). Brian and his wife Lisa arrived late last night. Hopefully he can provide us with some fishing success. Gary is smitten with Lisa.

Fished Gulkana again. Wayne caught a king. It was a nice buck, and it was pretty dark. He was good for smoking though. Me and Dad reserved 4 wheelers for the weekend. They will cost $500 for the 2 day trips.

We will break camp on Saturday and go search for reds downriver.

7-6 Sunday

Me and Gary are heading for the 4 wheeler trip. The trail was really dry on the way in

7-7 Monday

We return from the 4 wheeler trip.

Tuesday 7-8

Watched fishing shows all morning.

Fishing with Courtney & Susan

Angling Alaska

Americana Outdoors

Fishing Canada

Fishing Texas

Gary left last night. Here is a summary of our week together. Took him to the Russian River on Weds. Morning. We didn’t catch any reds, it was a bit slow. We fished the Wayne hole, lower bowl, and next to the ferry. Caught zip. On Thurs. We left to fish for kings and reds. Again we had no luck. He looked frustrated and his spirits were low. On Saturday we went down river to the Gulkana River bridge. I hooked one which snapped me off. Dad finally hooked one and it broke him off after a few moments just as Joe was getting ready to net it. We withstood heat, wind, rain. I prayed that Dad would catch a salmon, and just a few moments after that is when he hooked that one.

Our next adventure was the 4-wheeler trip into the middle fork of the Gulkana. Knowing Dad’s ultimate passion is fly-fishing, I knew he’d have a good time. He never smiles or kids, or lets loose around me, but I’m sure that some day he can’t help but remember it as a great experience. We trailed in with Mike Yates, Bob the flower guy, and Ty (Mike’s nephew). It cost us $500 for two days rental. We packed bare minimum. I lost my Reebok on the way out, luckily I packed a 2^nd pair. Back to fishing...I told him we were going to absolutely slaughter the grayling, he didn’t seem too excited though (as if he didn’t believe my hype). Alongside the big hole next to our camp, he caught one on his first cast. It was small, but that set the stage for the next two days. I proceeded downstream towards the log riffle and began to catch some nice 13-14-inchers. I was whooping it up to let him know I was getting some nice big ones. I called for him to move down river with me to some of these better holes. In a few minutes he made it down. On the way, he apparently hooked into what he said was 20-inch rainbow. It spooled him off before snapping his line. His spirits had begun to pick up. Finally he was catching fish Alaska style. He did mutter that he didn’t like fishing downstream. Now, personally I feel that fly fishing downstream is the best method. It allows you to dangle the fly in their noses with tension on the line. The log hole on the Clackamas has proved that theory to me over and over again. Jigging the fly in a riffle is the best method. Anyway, around the bend I cleaned up on fish and so did Gary. I had a few on the stringer within an hour, while Gary had zip. He finally started latching on to the keepers. We both caught alot and he was beginning to believe. We cleaned the fish, sat up camp, battled bugs, lit picks galore, and made lunch. Later, we went out on an evening fish. I kept talking about the magic hole upstream (I call it the pig hole), so I took him there. This is the hole where I caught the champions last year with Bart Shirley. All the time I was spouting off to him about the bigger fish in that hole. He followed me up and began to hook the bigger ones. We had a great time. At the magic hole I began hitting into the pigs. That hole is a nice stretch, and the sockeye lie in there, paired up, waiting to spawn. It is a couples area. The grayling here must be getting a few more eggs and bugs, and so they are just a bit bigger. I caught two champions, and a couple of runner ups. Gary and I both had nice stringers of big fish. The pigs were good fighters. They spooled my fly reel a couple of times, and wouldn’t be pulled in sideways. I really had to hold them and run them to tire them out. It’s a good feeling to fight a strong fish like that on a light 5wt fly pole.

We ate some grayling for dinner and went to bed fairly early. I lit some fresh picks outside the tent to keep the bugs out. When Gary woke up at 4 am the picks were still going. The tent was mosquito free, but hotter than hell inside. I was able to sleep in just my underwear, it was so hot. When I woke up in the morning at 7:30 there was only 1 bug in the tent, but on the window flaps they were swarming ready to jump our asses as soon as we emerged. I dressed in the tent and went for the picks and lotion. I hate those bugs.

The morning fishing was pretty good. I switched from a royal Wulff to a yellow humpy and still did well. Gary stood at the camp hole and claims to have caught 30 fish without ever moving. He was finally convinced. He was even in good spirits at Wayne’s house when we got back, relating fishing tales to Wayne and Joe. If only he could have got a salmon all would have been perfect. He called and had his flight changed to the same one that Joe was on. I got him to pack my salmon filets in with the grayling. He slipped me an extra $100 for luck and good spending. I hope this trip will eventually help to bring us closer, by giving us some good memories to share.

Gulkana memories:

trail ride with Gary, Mike, Bob, Ty

the pickup trucks 4 wheelin on the trail

good grayling fishing

the bugs

the litter at the Gulkana camp site

finding the BBQ at the campsite, full of chicken (a bear attractant or what?)

losing my shoe

dad’s rainbow

his snoring

catching the pigs

fish that jump (Gary asked me if grayling jump alot, I watched him cast once where the fished jumped out of the water before the fly even landed—that answered his question)

the scorching hot weather

the even hotter tent

lack of fire wood

Ty’s sockeye

trail ride out—I was the guide

Dad getting his machine stuck

trail riding fast

good scenery

talking with Mrs. Yates after the trail ride.

Josie the Bulldog

falling asleep while driving home

the shower that night / the 30 bug welts on my head

July 9th

Oil change at Express Lube

Called some places about fishing for Reds. Apparently at Kenai, the reds haven’t hit thick yet on the 2^nd run. They aren’t due to hit hard until next week. A few are straggling in. Places want at least $50 for drop off service.

Calling Soldotna F&G is worthless for getting info.

Fished Ship Creek before low tide for Kings. Spotted them from high up on the bank. Hooked 2l. One spooled me hard towards the culvert, before breaking me off. The other I hooked right as he came out of the culvert, so it was a real short fight. They were long and dark. Need to fish 2 hours earlier before low tide.

July 10th

Quartz Creek journey. On the advice of Brett, who fished a couple of days prior. I am going after dollys, will use fly pole, sinking line, and leaches. Departure time noon.

Brett lost his pole under a log. He also wants some guitar lessons too.

Roadwork on the Turnagain. Stopped on the highway, listening to Strauss. Staring across the inlet looking at the mountains. Lush green or rocky brown with snow. A cloud bank chops off the peaks of the triangle summits. Strauss reminds me of a time not so long ago. What a fine summer this is. I shall cherish these days for many years to come. I’m on my own time, my own pace. Free to not be in a hurry (though I always am). Able to breathe in my surroundings. Tension is so low. The question is how can one prolong the ability to live this way. This is living. Work, school, is existing. This is living.

Now comes the sirens, firetrucks....it must be a wreck ahead. We’ll be stopped for hours!! I guess it is picnic time for a while until traffic frees up. Been parked here since 10:45. Another firetruck, highway crews, state trooper. A train goes by....2 engines, 22 cars. Yes, I am bored.

Trip cancelled?? After 22 miles. Here comes highway truck, looks like he’s stopping giving everyone some news. He tells me it is going to be at least 2-3 hours until road is cleared. I’m not going back. I’m going fishing and have already gone 22 miles. I’ll wait here. Another state trooper. It’s probably only a matter of time until the meat wagons show up now?? The plot thickens, we’re in the middle of a blasting zone.

A good sign...firetruck has departed. 11:24

Meat wagon shows up 11:31

Highway crews 11:53

Trooper #4 12:07

Tow truck

Word is it is a flipped sewer truck. It apparently has hit a highway truck, overturned on the highway and cracked open.

12:30 1 trooper leaving the scene.

Of everybody the news reporter has to pull up next to...me. The reporter draws a crowd. I feared he wanted to interview me. He just came over to chat for a moment and I pretended to be disinterested. My truck will probably be in the news shot though. Channel 11. The guy told me he used to work in PDX at KOIN for 7 years. Reporter explained to me what happened.

Tow truck removing smashed trailer 1:58

A couple of troopers leave 2:08

I imagine its only a matter of time now

2:08 ignition

There was 5 miles of backed up cars going the other way...wow.

Fished for a few hours at Quartz Creek. Again no results. Used wet line and leaches. Began raining again. I set up camp under the tarp at the power lines camp spot. Made camp and had some food. Still raining. I guess I’ll read for a while and relax. Early bed. Maybe go to the Russian tomorrow. Don’t enjoy fishing this Creek. Saw bald eagles today, and their nest.

The rain filled skies soak down upon me

Driving me back to my campsite

As horseback riders pass me in a hurry

I know that I shall have rain to endure

Under the tarp in my blue ranger pickup

I desire to be fishing without getting wet

The day drags on in this wilderness called Alaska

And I know that I shall have rain to endure

July 11th

8am and it is still raining. Looks like it’s time to head back to Anchorage....or maybe down to Soldotna.

Went to Soldotna and fished underneath the bridge for awhile. What a cluster fuck....traffic/people. Soldotna was jammed packed. The reds were just starting to show. They should be hot about midweek I think. Hooked into one Red, but it was top-hooked.

Sat. July 12th

Went back to Anchorage. Home. Wayne and I went and fished at Ship Creek for King’s. Rod called and said he could come now. But his ticket was gonna be $700 because he couldn’t give 2 week notice...oops. So he’s scrambling to get his shit together.

Sun July 13th

Red Shirt Lake—Pike Day

Rain rain go away... come again another day. We rented canoe from Tippie Canoe. 3.5 mile hike into Red Shirt Lake. We overpacked. I carried extra clothes, boots, pole, waders, etc. Should have just worn rain pants. The trail brush thoroughly soaked my jeans as I walked through it. Soaked every body part. The hike in—sweaty. Many stops. We got to the lake and it just kept drizzling all day. I’m in a rain jacket and jeans. My jeans are out distancing the drizzle. I’ll change into waders later (yeah right). I never did and as a result my jeans were soaked. Wayne had Rich’s rain gear on, so he faired a bit better. We paddled around and explored Fish Creek, it was a dead end and had no fish (what an irony). Wayne got a bite, but I got a bite on floppy mouse.... hook didn’t set though. I caught and landed the first Pike in the boat. It was a small 14-incher. We threw it back. Wayne hooked a few bigger fish but they all spit him off right at the boat. It began to rain harder and harder. Kept laughing my ass off as Wayne called his herring bait “fishie pooh”. Wind and rain soaked legs and feet... totally. Back ache, butt ache, stretch. We caught most of our fish in the Lynx Creek mouth. We would cast and hang up and then propel the canoe as we reeled in. Though we never tipped over, I was as soaked as though I had been swimming in my clothes. The walk out was wet and squashy for me. It was made easier though by the cooler temperature. Dry clothes at the truck...aahh.

Saw the bald eagle that lives there again. I was standing near the canoe rack when I saw a seagull and a dark shadow land in the trees above us. I thought it was an eagle but didn’t see anything for sure. Moments later the shadow moved and a great big eagle descended on the other side of the bush. It was huge. I saw it come down but Wayne didn’t. I tried to sneak around the bush for a photo-op but I spooked it and it took off. “Whoosh whoosh whoosh” his huge wings cut through the silence with power and authority. “There he goes... I hear him”, said Wayne. Away he flew showing off his majestic wingspan. Wayne never saw him, but he could hear him. Amazing.

Also the guys who passed us on the trail, starting fishing before us, caught more fish and bigger fish, finished before us, and yet never ever appeared wet. I wonder how they did that. Boy, they really kicked our ass.

Monday July 14th

Home drying things out today. The Kenai beckons, it must be about time for the run to hit. What about Rod?

7-15 Tuesday

Left to go to Soldotna. Fished under the bridge 12:30 to 2:30. No luck. Headed to the city of Kenai. It doesn’t look like much. Ended up at the Funny River Road campground. Fished in the evening and got skunked. Hooked one but lost it.

7-16 Weds

Woke up at 9 am and couldn’t decide what to do. Talked with Mary the campground host. She said somebody said the run was between Soldotna and Bing’s Landing, so I stayed put. Fished in the morning and landed 4 sockeye, all in the mouth. Thank goodness for the old guys with the net.

Stopped at Funny River store and called home. Apparently Rod is coming in tomorrow. I’ll have to drive back to town and get him just as the river is heating up. Sitting in my truck drinking some OJ I can see the headline on the newspapers in the stand, “No Clue To Reds No Show”. What a terrible thing to read. Luckily it is about the Bristol Bay run. Still it is ironic.

Drove past Hubbard’s cabin and saw the old man out on the deck. Water looks pretty quiet. Drove up to Brown’s Lake looking for a place to crash, it is getting very windy out.

Nice weather

the old guys

Mervyn falling in

Mervyn getting splashed

Mervyn getting skunked

4 sockeye

fishing with Mitch Williams look alike / netting his fish

I caught 4 of the 11 fish landed while I was there

Mitch said that he ended up with 5

Watching F&G pull up in his boat

The pool of fish at the mouth

Funny River store

Brown Lake

Mary campground host... helpful info and very nice

Rick and Maggie camping neighbors

Making filets and doing a good job

dull knives

trying to call Wayne

praying for just 1 fish and getting 4

hooking 3 others

Apparently Rod is coming in at 9:05 on Reno air. I will camp out here, fish in the morning, and then jet up to go get him. Must leave by at least 3pm.

It is 7:42 PM. I’m going to cook dinner and then head back to Funny River to evening fish.

Caught 2 more sockeye in the evening. Got my first 6 limit ever!! Both were large bucks...good fish!

Beautiful sunset fished until midnite next to Dennis Hopper and Kyle. Kyle waltzed in there at 10pm and had his 6 limit by midnight. He did awesome.

7-17 Thursday

Left at 1pm to go get Rod. Wished I didn’t have to go as the river is getting hot right now.

Headed home.

Windsurfers on the tidal change in the inlet. Awesome rapids form during the change. The water was really boiling in. Got pulled over by undercover cop on Old Seward not 1 mile from Wayne’s. Stopped me for passing on the right as a car waited to make a left turn, but then he let me off with just a warning. At Wayne’s I wrapped my 9 fish and filled up the freezer space.

Picked up Rod at the airport Thursday night. We drove like hell to make it pass the midnight highway closure. We made it to Soldotna and parked at the airport lot. Tomorrow we’ll hit the Funny River zone.

7-18 Friday

Went to Funny River. Rod’s first 5 minutes ever of fishing and he had a fish on. No fair. What a great day. We both caught our 6 limits, and must have hooked 20 -25 fish each.

Rod 3-0 fish on the bank in the 1^st hour

Mr. Magoo and Elmer Fudd

Rod’s hooking a line with a fish on it

Rod’s reel breaking and line spooling with a fish on it, trying to land one by hand

fishing with Dennis Hopper, Roly Poly, and Elmer Fudd

The man with the Coho-Fly in his cheek

Rod and I getting our 6 limits

Buying another cooler

fileting 12 fish

awesome stringer photos

Little Maggie bonking the fish on the head

Rod’s best line “Is that a mountain goat... or just a guardrail?”

Rod 5 of 6 were hens

Mike 5 of 6 were bucks

7-19 Saturday

Me and Rod did nothing in the morning. Wayne showed up in the afternoon and landed 2 fish. Me and Rod got zipped. We went to pizza for dinner in Soldotna.

7-20 Sunday

Wayne and Rod both caught dollys, and Wayne got another Red. River really turned slow this weekend. We left for home in the afternoon. Me and Rod got ready to head north to Gulkana for some 4 wheeling and grayling action. Left for Gulkana at midnite... 6 hour drive ahead.

7-21 Monday

Me and Rod went 4 wheeling, it was a blast. Trail was rainy and mudsoaked. I drowned my machine and Rod had to drive to get help. How embarrassing. Rod stuck his machine 3 times. It rained all day and grayling fishing sucked, too many Kings in the water or something. We hooked a few salmon with our fly poles though. Did a major mud bogging ride on the way out. It was the most awesome time. I was soaked with mud from head to toe, but was wearing waders and boots so it didn’t really matter.

Awakening from sleep to find Rod sleeping while driving

mud bogging

drowning my machine

jumps at the gravel pit

Rod stuck in the bog “I can make it” he said.

Tarp house at the river bank

moose, owl, rabbits, kings, sockeye

Seeing the pipeline

the fog and rain

no sleep

the tow rope

my alarm clock

7-22 Tuesday

Went to Russian River. Reds are mixed dark and bright. Me and Rod each landed a dozen or so. He kept 2 and I kept 1. Got good photos. We will return tomorrow for Reds on Rod’s final vacation day. He is up to 8 sockeye already.

7-23 Weds

Russian was really slow and cold. I never hooked shit. Rod hooked a few and kept one. It was the only mouth hooked fish / legal hooked fish on the beach the whole day. There was some real blatant cheating going on by some people. We headed back for home as Rod has to leave this evening. He got 9 salmon for his vacation. I’m glad he came, it really made my vacation as well. We hit it pretty hard. Rod flew my fish home with him, making room in the freezer again. He flew 12 of mine home with him. I should get 2.5 smoked salmon and 9 table filets from him. That alone equals all of last year’s production. I left Rich 3 filets for rental fees. All of our fish took 1 fish box and 1 foam cooler. Airlines don’t like foam.

Am beginning to miss Rod already, I am experiencing a let down. To drive the miles and chase the fish alone just won’t be as fun this week. He was a real good partner. He had a good time, and he kicked ass fishing. I sense the closing point of my adventure coming soon, as well. Next week July will be over and it will be time to look at heading for home. Ketchikan still has some interest for me, but most likely I will just head for home. Money is getting tight so Ketchikan probably won’t happen. We’ll see. It’s amazing, I still feel great affection for fishing the Clackamas and the Breitenbush. Maybe it is the no-bugs, bears, danger factor? Yes, the fish are smaller, but the atmosphere and fishing styles are more intellectual and laidback. True, would I rather have my gun camping on the Clackamas or in Alaska? Tough call.

7-24 Thursday

Slept in. Preparing to return to the Funny River circuit for a few days. Cash is low, so I’m going in light. Back to being a solo artist. Hope I can stay awake while driving.

Fished Funny River from 6pm to 10pm. Hooked about 15 fish and landed 4 of them. 3 of them I had to land on the bank as no one had a net. Fished in hole #1. They are running a bit deeper there now. Weather was sunny and beautiful. A great fishing evening. Rod would have been proud.

A hornet stung me while I was filleting my fish. Right in the web of my little finger...ouch.

It’s amazing how being seen with a stringer of fish makes one an expert to the new comers. Going to sleep overnight at the airport hole.

On a cool summer eve

I sat out on a mission

For I had got it in my mind

To do some sockeye fishing

(and the sockeye... they were running that day)

I arrived at my location

Rod and reel in hand

After an attitude adjustment

I’d see how many fish I could land

(and the sockeye ...they were running that day)

I commenced backdrifting my fly

In one of my favorite spots

A few drifts and a pull and a tug

And my stomach it filled up with knots