Update Alaska: News From The Front

Stopped into The Fishin' Hole the other day, which happens to be one of my favorite fishing tackle/outfitter/sandwich shops. (Talk about your one stop shopping!!)

I was looking for a good 8 weight line to take to Alaska.

What I came away with was an update from about four different people who had just returned from Alaska.

Now, for those of you that have been following my upcoming maiden trip to The Last Frontier -you know that I am headed up there in a week from now. So it was nice to hear some first hand reports on what is going on, and how the fishing is doing.

Of course I am a little concerned that right there in the tiny town of Shady Cove, Oregon--there were four people who have recently been to Alaska right there at that given moment in that fishing tackle/outfitter/sandwich shop! If you take the ratio of those four people at that given time and the odds that they had been to Alaska and multply that out over the entire nation.... well..... you come up with a pretty dang high number!

And to think I was worried about the mosquitoes.

Anyway, one fella happened to have a photo album and all I had to say was that I was headed up to Alaska--and of course he pulled out that album and showed me some rather dandy Halibut that weighed in at 178 pounds. He also said if he didn't have one of those belts that you strap on to fight Marlin, he would probably be recovering from hernia surgery. I of course said the fish was nice-- but I was more concerned with the mosquitoes.

He told me they didn't bother him.Hmmmm now that sounds fishy to me.

Another person reported that the Kenai--the LOWLY Kenai--- fished well and they caught some really nice King Salmon. They weren't bragging about size so they were either really big or really small.

Not sure.

They also went Halibut fishing and caught some 20 pounders, certainly not big by Alaskan standards. They also reported that every person on the boat puked their guts out.

Now there is something to look forward to. I hope I am fishing out of a Princess Cruiseliner--but I doubt it.

I also asked them how the mosquitoes were?

To quote them: " OH MY GOD- THEY WERE BIG AS BIRDS!!"

Nice. Puking, scratching, and hernia surgery!!

We discussed the various options of Deet and netting, but it sounded like that only made it more challenging for the skeeters to find a way to make your life miserable.They described the mosquitoes approaching, 'like a black cloud' and then enveloping them in a blood sucking frenzy.

Sounds like a Stephen King novel.

One gal produced a bottle of some " natural" deet free repellant, and offered up a very weak, "our friends used this up at Diamond Lake last week and said this stuff is 'the bomb'."

Unless she meant "bug bomb"--I wasn't about to start experimenting with anything unproven. Besides, the difference between Diamond Lake mosquitoes and the Kenai Peninsula mosquitoes is probably like the difference between Peoria and Yankee Stadium. I told her I'd try it but I would need her cell number so I could be sure to call her at midnight if her"natural" spray was ineffective.

She pulled that bottle off the counter faster than a Ford truck recall goes out.

So it sounded like fishing was going about as expected, and the mosquitoes were going as expected also.

I also received a call from another buddy who wanted to go fishing on the Klamath River, in California, the week after I get back. He is an Alaskan fishing veteran so he had all sorts of good information to offer up about catching Silvers, including a "special" fly pattern that he developed and ties himself. I am now going to be his official "field tester" --because I suspect he thinks- if I can catch a fish with it...then it has real marketing potential. So look for it's appearance on the "two guys with flys" website if it works. If not... well... you can always look for my swollen festering mosquito welts.

I have also checked in with my good friend Tom, who if you remember, floated the Kisaralik River last month. He is back and reported a successful trip, in the respect that no one was eaten by a Bear, and they returned with same number of people they left with.

Oh, and the fishing was great for BIG TROUT, and of course--Deet had little or no effect at stopping the onslaught of mosquitoes.As evidenced by his scabbed over arm full of bites and "Calamine lotioned" skin color.

Also received a phone call from Ranger Kurt--and he pretty much just laughed maniacally and kept saying things like: "August in Alaska" "August in Alaska" "HA HA HA ha......."

Perhaps a few to many bites from his last trip??

Well, that is about it from the front.

I'll be busy this week getting ready-and soaking my clothes in Deet...

A.J. Klott is a writer of fishing humor and the people and events surrounding the fishing world. He also can be found selling "fly tacks" and other various fishing supplies at: http://www.twoguyswithflys.com

Long Island Charter Fishing Suffers From Fuel Costs, Job Cuts
Bloomberg - 11 hours ago
29 (Bloomberg) -- This weekend will be Burt Prince's last chance to salvage something from a summer fishing season wrecked by the surge in fuel prices and ...

Mobile fishing tournament called off due to Gustav
Press-Register - al.com, AL - 5 hours ago
The Mobile Big Game Fishing Club Labor Day Tournament has been postponed due to Tropical Storm Gustav, officials announced today. ...

Voice of America
John McCain Selects Sarah Palin as his VP: Fishing for Hillary Votes
whudat.com, NY - 7 hours ago
This pick makes no sense unless he’s fishing for those disgruntled Hillary Clinton voters. So he wins the election and.. then what? ...
The Bright Side Power Line
McCain's VP choice. The Conservative Voice
all 109 news articles

Fishing Report - August 29, 2008
Allentown Morning Call, PA - 12 hours ago
Fluke and sea bass fishing remains good on the Jersey reef sites, and plenty of keeper sea bass are being caught at Shrewsbury Rocks. ...
Central Pennsylvania fishing report The Patriot-News - PennLive.com
all 4 news articles

Feels like fall and fishing is fine
Eagle Tribune, MA - 10 hours ago
We are still weeks away from the true fall frenzy, but fishing has been quite good this August, and anglers will find many options. ...
’Tis the season for fall fun Boston Herald
School activity is A plus Boston Globe
Tidal bass willing to reward anglers Washington Times
all 9 news articles

Breaking News: Buoy 10 area at Columbia's mouth closes to fishing ...
Longview Daily News, WA - 4 hours ago
By The Daily News The Buoy 10 area near the mouth of the Columbia River will be closed to all salmon and steelhead fishing, including catch-and-release, ...
Rules Relaxed on Ocean Salmon Centralia Chronicle
Fishing Report Longview Daily News
Upriver Columbia Salmon Starts Monday Centralia Chronicle
all 4 news articles

Two men missing after fishing trip
Winnipeg Sun, Canada - 9 hours ago
By Chris Kiching, SUN MEDIA Two men from Sayisi Dene (Tadoule Lake) First Nation have gone missing during a fishing trip in northern Manitoba, RCMP said. ...
Missing canoeists from Tadoule Lake First Nation mySteinbach.ca
Two paddlers missing on Tadoule Lake Winnipeg Free Press
all 3 news articles

DNR seeks fishing regulations input
Albert Lea Tribune, MN - 11 hours ago
Special and experimental fishing regulations for walleye, bass, crappie, sunfish, northern pike and lake sturgeon will be the subject of nine public ...

Report: little improvement in fish stocks
Boston Globe, United States - 1 hour ago
By Jay Lindsay AP Writer / August 29, 2008 BOSTON—Battered New England fishermen are facing the possibility of even tighter fishing restrictions after a ...
Federal report: Most groundfish stocks overfished Boston Globe
all 2 news articles

Holiday is huge for fishing, hunting
San Diego Union Tribune, United States - 15 hours ago
By Ed Zieralski Labor Day weekend always is the time when seasons converge, and this year is no different with ocean fishing going strong and hunting season ...

Pitchin For Large Mouth Bass

Well, we have talked about flippin and now we'll mention pitchin.Both techniques are used to fish cover and to do it quietly. Use pitchin when the distance... Read More

The Alaskan Experience

"FISH ON!!"I yelled, as my seven weight fly rod bent over and the line played it's magical tune of "zinging in the rain". It was hard to... Read More

Further North to Alaska

With the excitement of my first trip to Alaska still fresh and percolating in my mind, I can hardly keep from telling fishing friends and aquaintances of... Read More

Local Bass Fishing

If you are like me, you love to fish at the drop of a hat. While I do plan fishing trips, I also like to go on... Read More

Brook Trout, One of Canadas Most Loved Trout

Brook trout are one of the most popular game fish in Canada. These fish can be found in the northern most parts of North America. What is... Read More

The Ubiquitous Woolly Bugger

The ubiquitous Woolly Bugger, never quite spelled correctly to my eyes, appeals to the eyes of every gamefish imaginable. If I had one pattern to fish the... Read More

What You Need To Know About Spinner Fishing

Many people know just what type of lure they want to use in order to catch the elusive fish. In fact, one of the most common types... Read More

Bass Fishing? Watch Out For the Gators!

Lakes in certain parts of the country contain more than something you want in your livewell. Alligators. They can be no more obvious than a rock or... Read More

There Is Bass In The Grass

Did you ever plan that fishing trip to the big lake, then when you got there you realized you had no idea where to start fishing? Too... Read More

Just What Is the Stream Trout?

The term stream trout is actually a term used to encompass any of the stream trout. Brown trout, rainbow trout, and brook trout are all called stream... Read More

How To Find Fish

PondsAnywhere there is a pond; it could be a hidden hotspot for fish. The bottom line is, no matter how small the pond may be, it is... Read More

Monster Hunt: Ledge Lunker Blues Part I

Originally published in Procats Online MagazineSummertime angling for trophy-sized blue cats on huge reservoirs can be tough. Peer across an expansive lake and the sheer vastness will... Read More

Trout Species ? Brook Trout

Brook Trout: Frequently gullible, yet extremely tasty, Brook Trout are wonderful trout to fish for - especially since they frequently inhabit the most beautiful stream settings in... Read More

Women and Fishing -- Not Just A Mans Sport

More and more women are learning to enjoy fishing each and every day. And, why not? Fishing is a sport that doesn't require exceptional strength, stamina or... Read More

Do You Know How To Clean A Fish?

Now that you have caught your dream fish, do you know how to clean? Good job. You must be so proud of yourself. You have just landed... Read More

Colorado Fly Fishing ? Bait Huckin vs. Fly Fishin

It was one of those fishing trips. You know, everyone catches fish but you, you loose six or eight of your most expensive streamers, it rains buckets,... Read More

Tastes Like Chicken!

For the most part, I am an advocate for catch and release fishing.Sustaining the fish and habitat in the sport you love only makes sense.However, sometimes a... Read More

Spinnerbait Fishing Tactics for Spotted Bay Bass

Like most fishermen my age I originally learned about spinnerbait fishing for largemouth bass with my Dad. My class room was the back of an aluminum rental... Read More

Stream Trout Fishing

Many people enjoy a nice, long fishing trip. Others enjoy fishing trips that take them to new places and new types of fishing. Stream trout fishing can... Read More

Steroids Running Rampant In Fishing World

You knew it would come to this sooner or later....I was sitting in one of my favorite fishing haunts the other day, getting yet another report from... Read More

Do You Know How to Fillet a Fish?

Finally you've caught the perfect fish. Now, do you know how to fillet your fish? You can't be happier. You have finally caught the perfect fish. Do... Read More

Why The Moon Is Your Key To Night Fishing Success

Want To Catch More Fish At Night, Watch the Moon!Sounds like a crazy idea, doesn't it?I thought so to, until I experienced it first hand.Using the moon,... Read More

Where To Find 10 Fly Fishing Tips In A Single Paragraph

When looking for information on how to fly fish, fly fishing tips or fly fishing techniques, many anglers, or anglers to be,who limit their search to books... Read More

Surf Fishing The Outer Banks of North Carolina

My first experience surf fishing was with my father on Wrightsville Beach, NC in the 60's. He parked our shiny black Ford Fairlane in a gravel parking... Read More

Techniques and Tactics For Nymphing

Just like dry fly fishing, there are many, many ways to fish a nymph. Which one you should use really boils down to how skilled you are... Read More

Trout Species ? Rainbow Trout and Brown Trout

Rainbow Trout: Few freshwater fish can match the fighting spirit and beauty of a Rainbow Trout.The Rainbow Trout is a well-traveled species of fish. Originally, the Rainbow... Read More