Alaska 2007

[Kansas Fly Fisher]

Okay guys - here's the link to some of my pictures from the trip. [Alaska Pics] You can also read my journal from the trip by [clicking here].

What a trip it was! I know it's already been mentioned here already about the great value of this trip, but I can't emphasize this enough. This is truly a great adventure and some of the best fishing I've ever encountered. It took me a bit to get used to the take of the sockeye, but once I figured it out - look out! Fish on just about every cast and talk about fighters! I'd put the sockeye up against anything we have here; pound for pound. They make long, fast and hard runs with triple jumps, cartwheels, and flips. They really know how to put on a show. Hooking a sockeye isn't really the problem, it's getting them to the shore. Strong hooks are a must. I lost count of the number of hooks that were straightened by these brutes.

Rainbows - the pictures say it all! Big, fat and sassy are the order. In front of the camp you can just about catch them at will. I think the smallest fish of the trip was somewhere in the area of 25 inches and the largest was 32 inches!

The trip up Idavane was "intense" to say the least. You get to walk just over a mile up stream using a bear trail as your road. Keep in mind, this bear trail is through thick and tall brush all around, and this area is known to be one of the bear's favorite sleeping areas. The fishing on this small stream was fantastic! I ended up catching 7 graylings there. JD, Jerry and Phil also caught graylings and rainbows. My last two of the day were 2 lbs and I think one of Jerry's rainbows was 25 inches or there about.

Brooks and fishing with the bears was very cool! We had the pleasure of watching a couple of brutes get into a fight over a salmon. The sound they make will make your hair stand on end and your feet look for a place to go - all this without any input from you! After the smaller of the two lost his fishing hole, he decided to come take ours. Of course, being the good sportsman that we are and keeping in tune with proper stream etiquette we gave way - rather quickly too I might add. It's amazing how much water this short fat man can cover when you've got a bear floating in behind you and the water pushing you along. I think my strides had to be near 6 feet each! Watching the bears at the falls was a treat! The ultimate fisherman and they new what they were doing.

The camp - better than any resort you'd care to stay at - hands down; my humble opion! It's simple and rustic; no running water, sewer, or electric at the cabins. You have a camping toilet in your bathroom, a soft bed to sleep on and a propane heater to keep you warm at night. The tundra stayed moist and wet the entire time we were there so you walked on pallets or wooden planks to and from the cabin. There were some paths that had sand and rock down to walk on, but that was the fancy part of camp. The dinning hall had electric via a generator. There was hot and cold running water and a fancy compost toilet in the shower room. Phyliss was a GREAT cook and I promise you won't go hungry. Everyone morning she's up before the rest of us and has hot coffee waiting for you when you get to the dinning hall. Breakfast was hot and very tasty. Shore lunches included at least two sandwich's per person, chips, cookies, candy bars, and pop or water. Supper was usually some form of salmon and out of this world.

The guides - You couldn't ask for a friendlier, nicer group of people than the Johnsons. And of course, we all know how good Phil is. Jim was always willing to help and offer assitance as you needed it. Once you got the hang of it, he stand back and watch or help someone else. Jamie (the oldest son)is a great young man that is always willing to help and usually good for a few laughs and smiles. Montana (a.k.a Tana) helps her mom around the kitchen and is a pleasure to talk with. Hunter (the youngest)is a supper young man that has a heart of gold. He's quite the naturalist and was able to identify several rocks, bushes and trees while we were there. Phil; well we all know Phil and he was a great guide that helped in anyway he could. I still disagree about the "mile" hike, but he had the GPS so I have to suceed to him. Maybe it has something to do with me being fat, short legged and out-of-shape, but I'd swear that hike was a "bit" more than a mile.

What I learned - 100% DEET is your friend! Fleece will keep you warm and dry regardless. I BELONG in Alaska and I want to go back - NOW! Phil and the Johnson's are great people. A mile in Alaska translates to about 3 miles in the lower 48.

To sum up all this rambling. This is a trip that you do not want to miss out on. It's an opportunity of a life time and you will not regret it. The Johnson's will take great care of you and make sure you have a very enjoyable trip.

John

[shawncat]

Great John,great pics,great stories.I'm glad you had a good time.I could feel your excitement in your stories.Just excellent.I hope you can go again sometime[with Sue].Thanks

[Kansas Fly Fisher]

Shawn, thanks for the comments. I've already booked next year's trip and I'm taking Sue this time so she can experience the great Northwest.

John

[Rusty]

Thanks for post.