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http://www.sgvtribune.com/sports/ci_4039522
Fishermen enjoying Northern Exposure
By Keith Lair Staff Writer
JUNEAU, Alaska - A bald eagle slowly circled its nest. Two-feet high grass edged against the unnamed river's bank. In the crystal-clear river, at the base of the Slocum Inlet in the Tongass National Forest, millions of pink salmon were swimming upstream and preparing to lay eggs and die. Salmon carcasses littered the banks, with the stench drawing flies and insects. Somewhere upriver, bears certainly were feasting on these same salmon.
There may be more remote fly-fishing destinations in Alaska, but for those wanting to experience it first hand, there is nothing quite like a day trip 30 miles east of the Alaskan state capital. The only way in is by float plane or boat. To get to the nearest road would involve a multi-day hike.
"It can be exhilarating," guide Dan Teske said.
A .22-caliber rifle - for approaching grizzlies - was next to the fly-fishing gear. Teske showed the emergency supplies, "in case we get stuck here overnight and they can't pick us up."
About the only way for a Southern Californian to compare to the remoteness of this Alaskan wilderness is to be taken to Santa Barbara Island by boat, and left on your own.
The DeHaviland Twin Otter seaplane that had dropped a group of San Gabriel Valley-based anglers had powered up and eventually disappeared into the bright blue cloudless sky for the 30-minute flight back to the Juneau fjord, next to the city's airport. Bear Creek Outfitters, of which college student Teske has guided for four years, is one of three Juneau-based guided outfitters. It is the only fly-out outfitter that takes anglers to a river, drops them off and returns later to take them back to the airport. Another outfitter,
Sea Runner Guide Service, offers skiff-based fly-fishing
Alaska Fly `n' Fish Charters offers fly-fishing with nature watching.
"It's a very different experience," Bear Creek owner Mark Kaelke said. "You can go saltwater fishing anywhere on the West Coast. But you can only have an experience like this in Alaska."
Bear Creek hosts 1,600 anglers from May through September. For the most part, anglers are fishing for salmon. Runs of Sockeye and Chinook are in July and August, runs for Pink are July through September and runs for Silver are in September.
In addition, steelhead trout can be caught in May and Dolly Varden trout from May through September,
"People lump what has happened in the Northwest with Alaska," Kaelke said. "Our runs are in really good shape. Our experience is a little unique in that you can go right into the stream and catch them."
That means the chances are extremely likely that the novice fly angler will catch at least one salmon. It's very easy to foul-hook a fish, too. They are so plentiful.
"I just love doing this," Teske said. "The weather does not bother me. I came from Minnesota. There's nothing better than spending a day fishing in the wilderness"
[email protected]
(626) 962-8811, Ext. 2272
Fishermen enjoying Northern Exposure
By Keith Lair Staff Writer
JUNEAU, Alaska - A bald eagle slowly circled its nest. Two-feet high grass edged against the unnamed river's bank. In the crystal-clear river, at the base of the Slocum Inlet in the Tongass National Forest, millions of pink salmon were swimming upstream and preparing to lay eggs and die. Salmon carcasses littered the banks, with the stench drawing flies and insects. Somewhere upriver, bears certainly were feasting on these same salmon.
There may be more remote fly-fishing destinations in Alaska, but for those wanting to experience it first hand, there is nothing quite like a day trip 30 miles east of the Alaskan state capital. The only way in is by float plane or boat. To get to the nearest road would involve a multi-day hike.
"It can be exhilarating," guide Dan Teske said.
A .22-caliber rifle - for approaching grizzlies - was next to the fly-fishing gear. Teske showed the emergency supplies, "in case we get stuck here overnight and they can't pick us up."
About the only way for a Southern Californian to compare to the remoteness of this Alaskan wilderness is to be taken to Santa Barbara Island by boat, and left on your own.
The DeHaviland Twin Otter seaplane that had dropped a group of San Gabriel Valley-based anglers had powered up and eventually disappeared into the bright blue cloudless sky for the 30-minute flight back to the Juneau fjord, next to the city's airport. Bear Creek Outfitters, of which college student Teske has guided for four years, is one of three Juneau-based guided outfitters. It is the only fly-out outfitter that takes anglers to a river, drops them off and returns later to take them back to the airport. Another outfitter,
Sea Runner Guide Service, offers skiff-based fly-fishing
Alaska Fly `n' Fish Charters offers fly-fishing with nature watching.
"It's a very different experience," Bear Creek owner Mark Kaelke said. "You can go saltwater fishing anywhere on the West Coast. But you can only have an experience like this in Alaska."
Bear Creek hosts 1,600 anglers from May through September. For the most part, anglers are fishing for salmon. Runs of Sockeye and Chinook are in July and August, runs for Pink are July through September and runs for Silver are in September.
In addition, steelhead trout can be caught in May and Dolly Varden trout from May through September,
"People lump what has happened in the Northwest with Alaska," Kaelke said. "Our runs are in really good shape. Our experience is a little unique in that you can go right into the stream and catch them."
That means the chances are extremely likely that the novice fly angler will catch at least one salmon. It's very easy to foul-hook a fish, too. They are so plentiful.
"I just love doing this," Teske said. "The weather does not bother me. I came from Minnesota. There's nothing better than spending a day fishing in the wilderness"
[email protected]
(626) 962-8811, Ext. 2272
but even if it was used that way, it would probably still be a little too light!
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