Last fishing of the 2005 season

I first posted this on my gaming site The Amazon Basin on one of the forums on 10-13-05.

I hope you enjoy the pictures.

Last weekend was probably my last fishing trip of the season.

Six of us made the early morning drive down to the Kenai River for a float trip. It was a crisp morning with the temperature 33 degrees when we launched the boats.

"Fall Morning on the Kenai River, Alaska"

There was snow above us on the mountaintops and the chill in the mist hanging over the water as we put in at the confluence of the Kenai and Russian River's boat launch.

"Let's Go Fishing!"

This section of the Kenai River is probably the most popular stretch of any fishing river on earth during the summer. Thousands of people from all over the world converge here to experience a truly unique fishing phenomenon, “combat fishing”. The shouts of “FISH ON” can usually be heard all day long and into the "night" as the salmon swim upriver to spawn. During the peak runs it is common to see people standing shoulder to shoulder for about a mile and a half on the river banks on each side of the ferry. A "must see" if you visit here during the summer months.

During summer this part of Alaska has over 20 hours of sunlight and in those few hours after "sunset" there is still almost full daylight outside. The look and feel outside is a twilight where you can't quite make up your mind if you are driving whether to turn on your headlights or not.

That is one of the many great things about the "Alaska Experience". The sheer beauty of your surroundings, the close encounters with Nature and her animals, and the many different people who travel to visit or live here. A melting pot of many things that is never the same as you see the many opportunities to find something interesting and new to experience.

After strong runs of Red, King, and Silver Salmon the river settles into a fall ritual of those hardy souls who rise early, make their way in the darkness and find themselves in the solitude of an almost empty river.

"Morning Mist"

The prize this day is not really a tangible thing.

No coolers filled with filets of salmon or the many items usually taken on fishing trips in summer. It is almost a Zen like fixation of mind, memory, and muscle. There are no crowds, no creels, and only the zest of catch and release rainbow trout. Possibly a Dolly Varden can be caught as well.

"Mike's Small Rainbow"

As we floated past the location of the summer Russian River Ferry, the banks are deserted of people.

We round the first bend in the river and come to a favorite spot of two of our crew. Gary and Mike usually fish this section during the summer salmon runs and usually limit out quickly.

Today in this section is two bear cubs, 2 year olds that lost their mother earlier this summer from someone (tourist) shooting her as she fished close to the crowds gathered.

It is common for man and bear to co-exist on these waters with only a few negative encounters. It is usually when a visitor who has never seen or been in an area with bears that the problems happen.

"Bear Cub on the banks"

We approached seeing one bear on the beach and while getting ready to take a picture I noticed another cub sitting in the high grass along the river bank. There is another raft on the bank to the left of this bear and I am sure they did not see this bear as they got off of their raft. We floated by just offshore in the shallows. Both of our boats drifted by about 20 to 25 feet from the bear sitting on the gravel bar watching us go by.

One of these cubs was also shot but has survived that encounter only to find herself still on the river and not yet in hibernation. I am not sure either of these two cubs will make it through the coming winter.

It is truly incredible to float so closeby these two and I hope they make it through the winter so I can see them again next summer.

This one was shot in the incident that killed his mother. He stood up and started walking slowly towards us before sitting back down.

We floated around the bend watching the bears and the people parked along the road who had stopped to look or were taking pictures. Late in the afternoon when we drove by after our day of fishing, the two cubs had swam across the river and were playing on the gravel bar while more people on the road were again taking pictures and watching the show.

We fished along a 10 mile stretch of river stopping along the way to fish from the river’s edge or in the back channels that might be to shallow to float through.

"20 Feet Away"

The river was lower than in previous weeks and the water was as always the pretty blue from the glacial runoff of summer.

There were 2 Bald Eagles flying around screeching their songs. They flew around feasting on the
many salmon carcasses left on the waters edge. They swooped and grabbed fish in a nice arc arriving at the waters edge picking up the fish and continuing flight back up into the sky. So fluid in their movement and powerful in the flaping of wings to return to flight. This was an awesome sight to see. I wanted to take a few pictures but the Eagles were smart enough tostay just out of camera range as we floated past their aerie (nest).

"Glacial Green Water"

This is the other Mike who is enjoying this special time on the river. No work, no phones, just the river.

Most of our fish were caught while floating along in the driftboat with our “flesh fly” and bead bouncing along the river bottom tempting the rainbow trout. It was great feeling the line go tight as the fish swam away and the “fish on” mantra could be heard over and over again in our group.

"Solitude"

Mike was the winner on this day as he catches the “Big One” today while we floated lazily down river. It was about 26” to 28” long and really fat. This was a nice fish with a beautiful color.

It has always been hard for me to “catch and release” as it leaves an empty feeling in me by not bringing anything home. It has taken me awhile but I have learned the "mind state" that is the "Zen of Fly Fishing". It allows the beauty to be absorbed into your mind of what you have experienced and seen that day. The fish's release back in his habitat to bring pleasure to another lucky person. These are the memories which make for great days and good times.

"Living the Dream"

It is hard to watch the season end and know that it will be months before the sun returns and the warmth of summer brings the salmon back to these waters.

I guess it’s time to put away the fishing gear and now break out the winter toys. I look forward to returning to this river the next time and I hope the two cubs survive as they should be hibernating now. They are still playing along the river’s edge this day but hopefully as the snow continues to fall and the hard winter sets in these mountains, they will find their cave and rest the peaceful sleep to fish again with the odd assortment of humans next summer.

I hope you enjoyed this small glimpse of Alaska.

Ice