          
You know of any Complete catalogs Alaska
Hunting Books
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The Alaska |
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[ Return to Contents | Post a Reply | Post a new message ] Thanks Alaskans.... Posted by floridafisherman on Aug 17 2005 I've been home just a little over a week now from my "trip of a lifetime". I would like to thank the participants of this forum for the information I was able to glean from it. By being well informed and having a game plan I was able to provide my son and three grandsons a trip that will never be forgotten! We arrived on July 23 and picked up our rented motorhome in Anchorage, threw our gear in and headed for Hope. The pinks were there and they provided opportunity for all of us to hone our fly rod skills for the ensuing two weeks. After a couple of days at Hope we headed to claim our campsite at the Russian River campground that had been reserved for nearly six months. Nice campground. Hiked to the confluence, surveyed the situation, made a few casts, pulled a hook out of my grandson's scalp placed there by a fool that had decided the only place for him to fish was in the 8 foot space between my grandson and myself. We left as this sort of place was not what I had come to Alaska for. The next morning we initiated plan "B"; and that was to drive the Skilak Lake road to the lower trailhead and hike in. Wow..now that was what we came for! A modest hike and the river that was full of fish, all to ourselves...and the bears. We may have been able to catch more fish at the confluence but our goal was not to see how many fish we could catch/kill but to sample at least a little of what I call quality fishing. Did the same thing the next day with the same wonderful results and kept a few reds to freeze for home. The boys, ages 11, 9, and 6 were kept under a very watchful eye as the more than ample sign of bear was everywhere. Got a cool picture of a large brown bear paw print in a fresh pile of scat to prove thier presence but saw no bears, probably due to the noise of three very excited young sportsmen-to-be. After our stay at the Russian, the original plan had been to hike into Fuller Lake but with a weather forecast that predicted rain all day and due to the blisters on the feet of one of the boys we decided to go back to Hope as the boys really liked that spot. There were easily twice as many fish in Resurection Creek than had been there just three days earlier. Of interest, we caught two reds and three silvers several Chums in addition to a whole bunch of pinks. We also saw several Kings and caught a few rainbows (18-20 inch). An amazing little river!...and nearly all to ourselves...who wants the Russian! We were also treated to a quick visit from a small black bear provinding us opportunities for a few pictures. From Hope we traveled to Palmer for the weekend to visist relatives, wash clothes and prepare for our three day drop off on the Little Susitna. Departed Palmer very early a.m. and drove to Burma Landing, loaded the boat, traveled a few miles upstream to an improved campsite which we had to ourselves. Set up camp, fixed breakfast for the starving to death boys and began fishing by 08:00. The Silvers were there! My oldest grandson had two on the stringer by the time I had my rod rigged. Beautiful fish with sea lice still hanging on them! We kept only enough for lunch and dinner releasing many. There were still a lot of Kings in the lil'Su and we hooked several, most were released long distance and those that were landed, carefully revived and released. It did rain and rain hard all day the second day there, but we were prepared for it and although the Silvers developed lockjaw there were plenty of Chums and Pinks to entertain us. The third day brought better weather and allowed us to dry out. Only the occasional boat came by and one group of rafters. After the drop off trip we headed for the Parks Highwas to explore it's offerings. Stopped at several of the better known spots and made an observation, that is the same slobs that trash the conflunces and easily reached fishing spots in Florida also live in Alaska....a shame. I can proudly say that everywhere we camped and fished the only thing we left were our tracks! The boys were very good about picking up and filled several bags full of other peoples garbage. Off the Parks Highway we found a beautiful strech of river on the Willow, away from the confluence. It did take a short hike but once again we had solitude and a river absolutely full of fish! We spent a couple of days in this area and were rewarded with memories of all five species of Pacific Salmon! It was back to Palmer and its laundromat to prepare for our return home...we all hated to leave..a fantastic trip with all our expectations far exceeded. Thanks again, we will be back! Next: Florida Visitors Terry Sacora Aug 18 2005 Message Thread:
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