On Day three, Scott Sawtelle and I were in one jet boat with Trevor. Cindy and Steve Peskoe were in the another skiff with Doc. After storing gear, we all headed up the main Talachulitna. It wasn't long before the two boats went their separate ways. A few moments later, Trevor pull back on the throttle and we glided to a stop on a gravel bar below a perfect run. We could see kings spawning at the head of the run. Scott and Trevor rigged a bead and took off upstream. I chose a mouse and went below the boat. It wasn't long before we were all into fish. From this run, we took rainbow to 23'', many fat grayling and two fresh silvers. It was great day! I suppose the photos speak for themselves...
Anna Riggs has a friend pay a visit while John Riggs puts some new cleats in his wading boots
Some guys just look like they should be using power tools!
That is one happy pooch.
Cindy and Steve Peskoe ready for a jet boat day on the Tal.
Trevor holds a nice silver (coho salmon).
A fat rainbow on a mouse
Nice loop Scott
23" bow.... sweet!
Nick loads the raft and gear headed for the Trinity
On our fourth day, Scott Sawtelle and I went on another float/wade down Trinity Creek. Having the inflatable kayak/raft was great. In it went extra rods, lunch, water, camera gear and when you wanted to get around a difficult spot or avoid hoofing it through dead water we jumped. Then we let Nick do all the work.
Nick releases a small 'bow
For me, this was an idyllic day on a perfect small stream with big fish. Scott and I leapfrogged each other so we were always fishing fresh runs. We caught many 'bows to 22 inches and lots of grayling. I caught most of my fish on a mouse. In one run, I caught three 20" rainbow in 15 feet as the stream slid quickly along a downed tree. These 'bows were hot and as I reeled in each fish, Nick and I chatted away as if we were at Starbucks.
2 Mice after 50+ fish!
Just past this run, we broke down rods while Nick deflated the boat. We had everything ready to go when we heard the first hint of the blades chopping the still Alaskan air. A couple minutes later we were wheeling over the forest on our way back to a perfect summer evening at the lodge.
And a 20+ hottie... going, going...
GONE!
Bird's eye view
We relax with a campfire and hors d'oeuvres before dinner
