Alaska July 2025

[Phil Lilley]

 

I had to post this...  I always told ppl that we lined sockeye as they swam upstream with their mouths open until I videoed this.  No mouths open.  So how do we "line them"?  I don't know.

I'm SOOOOO glad you guys got the opportunity to go up.   AK is a great place and I'm sure DD was the perfect host with lots of stories.

[Phil Lilley]

Maybe we can have an OAF Alaskafest week next summer...

[BilletHead]

6 minutes ago, Phil Lilley said:

I'm SOOOOO glad you guys got the opportunity to go up.   AK is a great place and I'm sure DD was the perfect host with lots of stories.

            Thanks Phil, 

   Duane was a perfect host. Being a guide in the area he was so full of knowledge.  When he and Brother Dave get together telling stories we were all cracking up. As brothers do, they harassed each other all the time. 

[fishinwrench]

44 minutes ago, Phil Lilley said:

I always told ppl that we lined sockeye as they swam upstream with their mouths open

If more folks learned that you can do that with spoonbill in the creeks during Spring I think it would really start something.  😉

Spoonbill on a fly rod are a hoot ! 

[BilletHead]

16 minutes ago, fishinwrench said:

If more folks learned that you can do that with spoonbill in the creeks during Spring I think it would really start something.  😉

Spoonbill on a fly rod are a hoot ! 

I have no doubt but better watch the season. I suppose as long as MDC out of season if you were swinging a Clouser and you were not intentionally snagging could not say much. 

  I remember a guy used to post here on OAF got into a bunch below lake Springfield was bragging about how many he was snagging there. He got busted after season. 

[netboy]

Looks like a great adventure. Us old folks need to do these adventures while we still can.😀

Thanks for sharing.

[kjackson]

I'm waiting for the next chapter the report...

I'm glad Pat talked you into it.  Alaska is an adventure and worth a trip or two or three.  

[BilletHead]

26 minutes ago, netboy said:

Looks like a great adventure. Us old folks need to do these adventures while we still can.😀

Thanks for sharing.

 

13 minutes ago, kjackson said:

I'm waiting for the next chapter the report...

I'm glad Pat talked you into it.  Alaska is an adventure and worth a trip or two or three.  

                  Yeppers more coming. Fun stuff and even a little work at the Lodge with Duane. Awesome trip!

[BilletHead]

         This is day two and we did three different things this day. First will be a run to the post office and pick up a package from an air freight delivery. first thing in the AM Duane needed to go to town, town meaning the village. Off we went in the boat to town. First stop the post office. Open 24 hours with no postmaster. You just go in the door and go through the piles of stuff until you find yours. I peeked in the door and it looks like a bomb had gone off in there but there is a method to the madness as Duane found one addressed to him😃.

From there we went to the airport/ community center/coffee shop and city offices. There was a freight plane there being unloaded.

Stuff being put into piles on the ground and in vehicles. Duane said we might as well get into line and unload until we find my package.  So, we did pick stuff up and finding the appropriate place to put it down. Names on each thing unloaded. One I had there was no place to put it. I asked the closest person, and she said in the back of that truck and said thank you. Sure, enough that is where it belonged. They just kept sliding from the front of the plane to the back door. This is how the villager's grocery shop phone in a list to a shopper and it gets put on a plane for delivery. Next to last package was the one we wanted. Back to the boat for a ride back to the lodge. FYI I looked up the freight delivery plane. Lots of history right here,      Lots more fishing in next post.

   

The Beechcraft Model 18, also known as the Twin Beech, is a versatile twin-engine aircraft that has been widely used in both military and civilian roles since its introduction in 1937.

Overview and History

The Beechcraft Model 18 is a twin-engine, low-wing, tailwheel aircraft manufactured by the Beech Aircraft Corporation from 1937 to 1970. Over 9,000 units were produced, making it one of the most successful light aircraft in history. It was designed to accommodate 6 to 11 passengers and was used for various purposes, including executive transport, cargo operations, and military training. 

 

Wikipedia+1

Military and Civilian Applications

During World War II, the Model 18 served extensively in military roles under various designations, such as the C-45 Expeditor and AT-7 Navigator. It was primarily used for transport, training, and light bombing missions. Over 4,500 Beech 18s were utilized by the U.S. military, and it became a crucial aircraft for training bombardiers and navigators. 

 

Wikipedia+1

In the post-war era, the Beech 18 transitioned to civilian use, becoming a popular choice for business aviation and regional airlines. Its rugged design and reliability allowed it to operate in diverse environments, including rough airstrips. The aircraft has also been used for aerial spraying, medical evacuations, and even in film productions. 

 

Wikipedia+1

Specifications and Performance

• Engines: Powered by two Pratt & Whitney R-985 Wasp Junior radial engines, each producing 450 horsepower.
• Cruising Speed: Approximately 190 mph.
• Range: About 1,200 miles.
• Maximum Takeoff Weight: 9,300 pounds.
• Cabin Capacity: Can accommodate up to eight passengers, depending on the configuration. 

   

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  2 Sources

Legacy

The Beechcraft Model 18 is celebrated for its historical significance and versatility. Many restored examples are still in operation today, often seen at airshows and in private collections. Its design and performance have earned it a lasting place in aviation history, making it a beloved classic among aviation enthusiasts. 

 

FLYING Magazine+1

In summary, the Beechcraft Model 18 is a remarkable aircraft with a rich history, serving various roles in both military and civilian aviation, and continues to be appreciated for its performance and reliability.

[Quillback]

11 hours ago, Phil Lilley said:

 

I had to post this...  I always told ppl that we lined sockeye as they swam upstream with their mouths open until I videoed this.  No mouths open.  So how do we "line them"?  I don't know.

I'm SOOOOO glad you guys got the opportunity to go up.   AK is a great place and I'm sure DD was the perfect host with lots of stories.

Seattle's border on the east is Lake Washington.  Lake Washington gets a sockeye run, and if that run exceeds a certain number (I think it used to be 250,000) then they open up a recreational sockeye fishery in the lake.  The way just about everyone fished for them, including me, was to troll a couple of bare hooks behind a dollar bill sized piece of metal called a dodger.  You'd tie the hooks about 18" behind the dodger, the dodger gives the hooks a sort of herky-jerky motion.  The sockeye would eat the bare hook, it was an effective way to catch them.  Would not surprise me at all that if you are hooking them in the mouth that they are "eating" whatever it is you guys throw at them in rivers.  Sockeye are goofy fish, hard fighters and great to eat, but weird when it comes to fishing for them.