North to Alaska
For many fishermen Alaska is the ultimate "mecca" of fishing. Early childhood dreams of Salmon choked rivers and Bears of every shape and size basking in the sun, their bellys full of fish- and the occasional "slow" fisherman- help to fuel the vision that is Alaska.
The north country.
The place where even a blind man can catch a fish. At least I hope so, because after forty-seven years of talking about it, buying books on it, watching videos and saying "next year"-- the time has come for me to make my Alaskan pilgramage.
Bags packed and flights booked.
Come mid August I will be on the upper Kenai River casting bugs to Silver Salmon and Graylings and Dolly Varden Trout. I sure hope I don't get skunked.
I literally have travel guides that date back to the mid 1980's, that I picked up, because that was the year I was heading north. For one reason or another the trips always got cancelled or put off.
Not this year!!
Every time I picked up a map of Alaska, I was always amazed at the immense size of our 49th state. So much so, that I always felt I needed three full months to explore it. With that kind of self-imposed mind set, I just kept putting it off.
I finally decided that one week is better than never, so I'm going!
A friend of mine has a son who will be guiding up there this summer, so it seemed like an ideal time to go. Besides, now I can blame him if I come home fishless. My real worry is that I am a lot slower these days so I will have to be selective as to who I fish with while I am up there. I have been having time trials here in Southern Oregon and anybody that can outrun me over 100 yards has been eliminated as a fishing partner. You know the old saying about not having to "outrun" the bear--you just have to be faster than the other guy. Unfortunately, if the bear happens to be a "long distance" bear-- I'm screwed, because I think both of my current fishing partners are marathoners. Maybe I can size up some of the other fishermen while I am up there and situate myself as close to a 250 pound out a shape smoker as possible.If he was to have a prosthetic leg, that would help also, but I'm not sure exactly how to check for that. I certainly don't want the guy to be too large, because then the bear might be intimidated by his size and opt for me as an appetizer??!!
A lot of things to think about before fishing in Alaska.
Another concern of mine that I have heard about, is the abundance of mosquitoes that apparently are everywhere. If there is one mosquito in a 50 mile radius he will find me, so I am concerned that millions of the tiny buggers might cover me like a bee colony drawn to the hive. Based on past experiences, I think my body must be made up of 90 percent carbon dioxide-- which I believe is what they are drawn to-- because I can stand next to ten people outdoors and while I am flailing and swatting like an epileptic, spasmatic fool-- they will stand there calmly looking at me like.... well... like I'm some epileptic, spasmatic fool!!
Again, not being one to enter a wild country unprepared, I am currently undergoing some slightly painful yet necessary skin grafts with a very fine screen mesh that should do the trick.
If not, I will be offering myself up to some rather slow and undernourished Grizzlies.
I know this sounds rather drastic, but my wife was once able to read the entire braille alphabet on my back after I was bitten so many times on another fishing excursion. That and the fact I have heard of guys having metal plates inserted into their head from to many bites. Oh, and of course there is always West Nile virus to worry about--but I can get that here in lower 48 as well.
Other than that, I can't wait to be fishing in Alaska.
AJ Klott-Author, blogger, and peddler of "fly tacks". AJ writes of fishing humor, and the events, people and characters that surround the fishing world. His first book is due out in December of 2005.
View his articles and fly tacks at: http://www.twoguyswithflys.com/ or http://www.twoguyswithflys.com/blog/blog.html
Latest News
Agency says fishing still allowed at closed parks Chicago Tribune, United States - AP That's the word from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources on whether anglers can still access lakes at several parks shut down recently to offset ... |
Flick Fishing 1.2 Macworld, CA - Catch a Whopper: Virtual casting, baiting, and reeling in is all part of the fun of Flick Fishing. Flick Fishing aptly describes the gameplay. ... |
Gasparilla Fishing Report: Search deeper as water cools Gasparilla Gazette, Fl - Now the weather has stabilized a bit the fishing has been good, and the snook are still around. Fishing around points and edges with good tidal flow is a ... In Florida, winter conditions ideal for shallow-water fishing with ... |
Flathead fishing access proposal debated KPAX-TV, MT - Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks officials are holding another public hearing on an environmental assessment for a fishing site after the last was ... |
Fishing Report The News Journal, DE - By BOB JONES • Special to The News Journal • December 4, 2008 Anglers looking for late-season action on big game species have found good fishing for a mix ... Fishermen use artificial bait on stripers |
Fishing: Action is good despite cold fronts Naples Daily News, FL - By JOHN PREEG (Contact) NAPLES — It has been a cool fall with numerous fronts and too much wind, yet the fishing has held up fairly well. ... Fishtales: Big, hungry sheepshead |
Fishing Line Sacramento Bee, USA - Fly fishing folks getting their share of the action, too. JENKINSON LAKE (Sly Park)--Plenty of rainbow action here, mostly catchables from the recent plant. ... Fishing the North Coast: This is Humboldt, where is the rain? |
Fishing report: Dec. 4 The Tennessean, TN - Center Hill: Fishing is still fair. Bass are being caught on spinner and crank baits along with jigging spoons. Anglers are nabbing crappie on jigs and ... |
Fishing report Inside Bay Area, CA - Trout fishing is good from the shorelines of the north and south day use areas, where plants are made. (209) 763-5914 (209) 763-5166 CHABOT: Trolling and ... Fish Report |
DNR: Ice begins freezing, but snowfall not helping MLive.com, MI - Now would be a good time to get the ice fishing gear ready to go because there could be ice suitable for fishing by the end of the month. ... |
Resources
-
largemouth bass Fishing tips Extreme, guide, lures, expert bass Fishing
techniques
largemouth bass Fishing tips, guide, lures, expert bass Fishing advice for the avid bass angler and the novice angler alike.
-
► Trout Fishing Secrets
Trout Fishing Secrets Revealed - How to Catch A Trout Everytime: When Spinner Fishing Your Favorite Stream Or River!
-
used boat sales and listings on BoatLister.com - Fishing power and sail
Buy and sell boats, kayaks, canoes, PWC, marine engines and parts, small boat motors, boat parts, used sails and other marine items. List your used Fishing, power, sail boats for sale on BoatLister.com.
-
Ice Fishing Secrets - Ice Fishing Equipment Recommendations and Ice Fishing House Suggestions
Affiliates Make 40% selling this great Ice Fishing Book! Earn 40% people download it and pay.
-
Fly Fishing, Fly Fishing Tips, Fly Fishing Techniques and How To Fly Fish
Fly Fishing information from original fly Fishing masters.
-
Fishing Bait Formulas Revealed - Catch More Fish
Secret Fishing Bait Formulas Revealed - Catch More Trout, Catfish, & Carp - Guaranteed
-
Bass Fishing Secrets.
Catch more and bigger bass immediately. We Guarantee it!
-
Make Fishing Lures
Learn how to make every type of fresh and salt water Fishing lure including: spinners, plugs, spin bugs, salt water plugs, spoons, jigs, metal squids, eel and eelskins lures, sinkers.
-
Trout Fishing Basics
eBook for beginners.
-
index
Instructional ebook on how to make your own wooden top water bass Fishing lures.