Tonic in Alaska

Just got back from Alaska this morning at 1 a.m. Felt as tired and whipped as when I returned from Russia a few years ago where I fished Atlantic salmon. And, in fact, I was almost in Russia two days ago, closer to Kamchatka than Seattle. Eight flights later my trip is over and I’m on the ground in Missoula, Montana catching up on life and work.

Let’s see. What to tell you? Have you ever taken of in a four-person plane in 75 mile an hour winds? Have you landed sideways in the same conditions? Have you ever beachcombed for Japanese glass balls and been successful—105 times? Have you ever held whale jawbones and ribbones and walrus skulls? Have you ever seen 34 coastal grizzly bears in less than a week with some passing as close as 20 yards from your tent? Have you ever really landed on the king salmon and caught somewhere between 11 and 15 of those brutes in two days? How about catching one red salmon after the other when they actually eat the fly and aren’t hooked in the side of the face? How about seeing whales next to the beach within casting range?

This was my trip, one of the most amazing weeks of my life, sometimes frustrating, sometimes humorous, sometimes physically demanding, always interesting. There will be more on this adventure in future posts and in the September/fall issue of Fly Rod & Reel. For now, take a look at some of these pics, enjoy and try to place yourself in one of the wildest environments on earth. Let me know what you think.

greg

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