Saturday, June 9, 2012

Checking In From Alaska

I've been at Valhalla Lodge for a week now, working hard to get everything operational after a long, hard Alaska winter. Cracked pipes, leaky pipes, repairing docks, putting boats in the water, getting motors running, hauling propane, and the list is getting longer instead of shorter.

Regardless, today was opening day to fish for trout and we don't have guests yet, so instead of following our to do list, we went fishing. We have had beautiful, warm weather for most of the week until today, the day we go fishing. Typical! We managed some quality fish but no pigs. The grayling were fat and plenty but the rainbow trout were few and thin. None the less, a fun morning on the water. The weather was cold, wet, and uncomfortable. We decided to settle for a warm dry place after 3 hours or so of fishing.


Friday, June 1, 2012

Alaska Bound

All my bags are packed I'm ready to go. No, this is not John Denver's hit, Leaving on a Jet Plane. This is reality for me. I leave on a plane today as I look ahead to facing another season guiding in The Last Frontier, know as Alaska.

I have several fly boxes full of flies, two large bags stuffed full, both weighing less than 50lbs, which is very important. I also have a large back pack full and a cluster of fly rod cases rubber band together. I feel prepared, but I'm sure there will be something I need once I get to the Alaska bush.

The next time you hear from me I will be at Valhalla Lodge...