Root Admin Phil Lilley Posted July 1, 2007 Root Admin Posted July 1, 2007 Well... don't know how much battery I have here but am sitting in Anchorage airport on standby for the 12:45 am flight- last flight- out of here. Looks like I'm spending the night unless there's a miracle. But maybe the Lord wants me here for a reason- I'm open. My flight out of KS was late and I missed my flight earlier. Can't begin to report on the trip. Way too much to tell. I hope some of the others chime in and give their accounts. Simply a trip of a lifetime for most I'd say. The new run of sockeye in the river is something to see. A line of sockeye 4-10 abreast marching as an army upstream for 2-3 weeks straight. In Brooks, they were almost bank-to-bank, about 50 feet wide. The bears were amazing, again. The newbees got a thrill to say the least. To correct Bill's assessment of Brooks, there were 85 bears on the 1.2 mile stretch last season. We saw about 30 in our short stay. We got to fly over from KS which was a treat... Jim's wasted his lower unit on a gravel bar on the trip before and 3 of the clients didn't get a chance to go. Got to fly right seat to the pilot on the way back... in an otter. I got the cabin liveable. A few trim pieces short and the front needs paint. I'll have picks... when I get home. The sockeye were extremely easy to hook. We used shooting line, a weight 4 feet up the line and 2 flies- the favorite fly was a #10 purple wooly bugger but we switched to white, brown, olive or black at times. These fresh salmon were entertaining to say the least. Big runs, flips and twirls and alot of breakoffs. Some almost got spooled. The largest landed about 10 pounds. Kings were tough. Trolled and caught about 10 in 3 tries with a 20 pounder the biggest. Tried alittle fly rod but no takers. This coming week should be the best for kings. The trip to Idavane was fun. Caught graylings at will on elk hair caddis (John Jackson did extremely well) and several rainbows up to 24 inches. The walk up was interesting... JD said he's never been so scared in his life. We walked thru tall grass and trees for a mile with alittle bear sign... not much... but it didn't make a difference to JD. JD (Dudley) broke 4 or 5 line class records on sockeye/spin cast jig. 2-4-6-8 and 30 lb... I think. He also was rainbow king landing several in the 28-29 range with a 32 inch thrown in. Caught them all on 2 lb line and jigs. Better go for now. Lots of pics to follow- if and when I get home. Am I ready to get home??? Oh yes!! Way too long to be gone, even to such a place. I don't look forward to the heat though!!!
Danoinark Posted July 1, 2007 Posted July 1, 2007 God speed home Phil, we can't way to hear more of the adventure. Dano Glass Has Class "from the laid back lane in the Arkansas Ozarks"
Root Admin Phil Lilley Posted July 1, 2007 Author Root Admin Posted July 1, 2007 In Seattle... on standby. Concerned about the 3 boxes of salmon sitting on the dock in St Louis for 7 hours. Marsha is trying to contact someone there to make sure they're placed in a freezer.
Danoinark Posted July 1, 2007 Posted July 1, 2007 In Seattle... on standby. Concerned about the 3 boxes of salmon sitting on the dock in St Louis for 7 hours. Marsha is trying to contact someone there to make sure they're placed in a freezer. Yikes..... Glass Has Class "from the laid back lane in the Arkansas Ozarks"
Terry Beeson Posted July 1, 2007 Posted July 1, 2007 Safe travels, Phil... and we can't wait for all the pheesh porn and other pics... we're "on standby" as well... but much more comfortable I'm sure... (Travel ain't what it was a few years back for sure...) TIGHT LINES, YA'LL  "There he stands, draped in more equipment than a telephone lineman, trying to outwit an organism with a brain no bigger than a breadcrumb, and getting licked in the process." - Paul O’Neil
Rolan Duffield Posted July 2, 2007 Posted July 2, 2007 Great reports, Phil. Thanks for sharing them with and we're waiting to see more pictures. Best regards, Rolan
Kansas Fly Fisher Posted July 2, 2007 Posted July 2, 2007 Hope you make it home okay! I just got home myself about 5 hours ago to find my neighbor's house with water at the foundation peaking to get in. Our house is still okay, but I'm keeping a watchful eye out. I'll post my report in a day or two once I get everything settled here. John Born to Fish, Forced to Work KSMEDIC.COM
jcoberley Posted July 2, 2007 Posted July 2, 2007 Hope you make it home okay! I just got home myself about 5 hours ago to find my neighbor's house with water at the foundation peaking to get in. Our house is still okay, but I'm keeping a watchful eye out. I'll post my report in a day or two once I get everything settled here. John John, I seen the news around your area and I was wondering if your ok! If you need a dry place to stay I bet I know a few ppl not to far from you! Moran area and a little north. Try and stay dry friend. Jess Fish slow and easy! Borrowed this one from..........Well you know who! A proud memer of P.E.T.A (People Eating Tasty Animals)
Root Admin Phil Lilley Posted July 2, 2007 Author Root Admin Posted July 2, 2007 Back safe and sound. Flying standby isn't fun but there's alot of people still in Houston looking for a way out so I'm blessed. Getting affairs taken care of. Like John, I'll report soon with pics. Bill's taken alot of wind out of my sails. He covered alot in his reports. I'm looking forward to the Moore's and John's accounts of the trip. Different perspectives are always good.
duckydoty Posted July 2, 2007 Posted July 2, 2007 Welcome home Phil duckydoty A Little Rain Won't Hurt Them Fish.....They're Already Wet!! Visit my website at.. Ozark Trout Runners
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