Out scouting for ice fishing holes

Near Palmer,AK visiting Mom and sister during Christmas!

this bear has been down in the same hole on 2 seperate occasions.  lots of dead and dying salmon (silvers) in the river  now so I guess he's looking for an easy meal.

Last days still hangin on

This river was in great shape and should continue, as the extended forecast looks like little rain for the next 10 days. The flies to have this time of year continue to be the Oct. Caddis dry and pupae,spent termite,mahoganey dun in 12 and 18, #18 flying ant, throw in a few dark soft hackles in 14-18. You'll get by just fine.

Cutthroat evening

Last night, the river shot from 110 cfs to 850 cfs overnight. I lucked out and fished, even though it was dumping. I was able to get in and out before levels got out of hand. There are 2 crossings you have to make, to the trail out. At 850 cfs, both of them become life threatening. I'm hoping things will calm down and I can get in there one more time before the monsoon season hits.                                                                 

End of the trout season fast approaches

Some scenes from some of the "unnamed" locales I fish.

Rainbow and Cutthroat

Late September fishing has been hot. You've got to find the deeper runs and holes cuz rivers have been running skinny. October Caddis, Mahogany Dun, Crane fly & Termite patterns have all produced well for me. Silvers are showing up so I'm going to bring out the big gun (8 weight) and give it a go. The trout fishing should be great until the first big rains spread them out in the rivers. Until then, I'll be pounding them hard.
This is the last summer to fish the Elwha ,until who knows when. Due to dam removal.
The rainbow goes 20" the cutt 14".

High country lakes of ONP

Brookie eradication program. No limit on Brookies!! You must work for them though.

This lake is 7 miles from trailhead and 3000' of elevation gain.

Nice snow banks here and there for natural refridgerator

images from the top secret hole

bear tracks

bear tracks along the river last night

cutts & bows

cutts and rainbows to 17" last night all on the oct. caddis.  what a great time of the year to fish.

oct caddis shucks

halibut

annual halibut trip with old Alaska pals and father in law.  We scored on more than one occasion. lower Cook Inlet  

Finally

The season started first weekend in June.

Lots of rivers are running high and cold as well as silty. A short warm weekend has snow melting in the higher elevations. The Columbia River is in low level flood stage. I was able to fish a stream that is flowing at twice its normal cfs rating for this time of year. 815 CFS in June when it should be just over 400 cfs.Tough wading and was just too swift to cross. I had to be content to fish the edges.

The river was running clear and the return of cool weather (49 degrees) hasn't really jump started any significant bug activity.

No green drakes,very few caddis,no yellow sallies. I picked up a few cutts on a stonefly nymph.

It wasn't pretty, chuckin a bead head stone with a couple of splits,but it got the job done!

It sure feels good to be back fishing after such a long break.

Late season snowshoe

We had to get out and enjoy the first sunny weekend in many weeks. The snowed in road at Obstruction Point makes a great snowshoe trail.

The weather warmed to 30 and the sun made it feel like 60. 4 mile round trip with a few steep spots.

In hindsight we should have roped up on a couple of exposed traverses.

Hatcher Pass Lodge

No amenities beyond a warm cabin and cozy bar/restuarant. Great skiing to be had with all kinds of trails to explore. No lifts , no lines , no crowds.

Hatcher Pass Lodge,AK-New Years Eve 2010/2011. Say hi to "Hap" if you ever stop in.