Trip to Alaska
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Just got back from a week up in Alaska. I had to go up there to check out a lodge for work. This was my first trip to Alaska, and I know it will not be my last. I landed in the evening and was blown away by the views as soon as I left the airport. Not a bad background is it.
It took about an hour and half to reach Cooper Landing where I was staying and I must say that it was difficult to focus on the road with how beautiful the area is up there.
The first morning I headed out to the Russian River. It was quite a hike back just around 2.5 miles, but beautiful none the less.
The Russian was not really loaded with many fish, but I did see some nice sockeye that were in full spawning colors. After wading about a mile down from where I got in I finally got into some fish. Found a nice hole that held a good number of rainbows. I got a couple on dries along with nymphs. My buddy Scott was able to land this beauty up there.
We also had a guest come visit us as well.
The next day we decided to fish the Kenai. It was some pretty impressive water. The second run of sockeye were starting to come in pretty good. That morning fishing was pretty tough I lost three and my buddy Scott broke his Scott ARC, which I thought was funny at the time. The rod broke in the butt section. That is now the fifth Scott rod I have seen break right above the grip. That afternoon the fishing really picked up. I got these two with in 5 minutes of each other.
We were able to find a pocket and just laid into the fish. We had over a dozen hook ups and landed 6 in the span of an hour. I had on on that I could not turn for a while. The fish began to head down stream and went right past my buddy. He said the fish had to been about 15lbs. As soon as he told me that I knew that some way or another I was going to lose the fish. The started peeling line off and heading down stream. I decided to forget trying to fight the fish back up the current and began hauling down stream to try swinging the fish to the shallow. I got the fish twenty feet away and swung it to the shore, thats when it took one good flop in the shallows and it was off. I thought to myself well there is karma biting me in the ass for laughing about my buddy breaking his rod. I really can’t complain to much about it though, sort of hard with this being my view from where I was fishing.
I had to get a picture of this, I don’t know why but I got a kick out of it everytime I walked by it. ;D
We took the next day off to go check out Seward. We went out on a boat to do a little sight seeing. Had an orca come up to the boat which was pretty awesome.
Also got to see a glacier which is pretty impressive.
The next day we started heading back up north to head to the lodge. Stopped by this lake for a while just to take in the view.
That afternoon we took a float plane to the lodge which was about 70 miles northwest of airport. The lodge is located right on the Yetna River.
Home for the next view days.
The silver run was kicking off when we got there and I must say that fishing was pretty awesome. All five species of Pacific salmon where in the creeks at the time. Day one was amazing by lunch we had already landed at least 20 fish. Mostly being pinks and silvers. After lunch we started right where we left off.
Those silvers(coho) are pretty damn impressive. We have them up in the Great Lakes, but a 2lb silver would drag its 8lb. Great Lake counter part around the creek.We continued putting the hurt to the fish and then heading in for dinner. Here is the part that I thought was awesome, since their is so much day light you get to go out after dinner to fish. Here is another nice little silver I picked up.
A pink as well.
The next day fishing was just as good as before. Here is an under water shot of a male pink I took.
All in all it was a fantastic trip. My buddy and I landed about a 100 salmon total. We both have line burns in our fingers to prove it. ;D
I can’t wait to head back up there again. Guys do whatever it takes to try and get up there at least once. You can do a fishing trip on your own for not that bad of a price. It is just one of those things that if you get the chance take it. You will have great memories of it for the rest of your life. Well its back to chasing carp and guiding for smallies for me.
-MikeGreat trip report Mike. I really do live vicariously through your reports. The scenery is breathtaking.
No kidding.
Michael, in one of the river scenes unless my eyes are getting worse than I suspect am I really seeing 8 guys??? Unless part of a groupthat really surprises me, it’s not something Id have expected to see on a remote get away.
J
What kind of a job expects you to check out lodges?!
The kind that I need to get.
Great report Mike, thanks for posting it!
John,
Yeah there were far more people then that. People every 4 feet up from there. I had my switch rod out so I was doing some spey casting to make sure that no one got in my area ;D. At the confluence of the Russian and Kenai there must have been at least 200 anglers in a 1/4 mile. Combat fishing to the definition.
What kind of a job expects you to check out lodges?!
Zach
As for going up to check the lodge out for work. I am lucky enough to work at one of the only two fly shops in Indiana. I went up to check the lodge out so that we can add it to our travel destinations. On top of getting the chance to do guiding, work at a shop, and travel, I am getting college credit for all of this. I love the word “internship”, thanks Purdue 🙂
-Mike
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