2008 Part 15: Back Home

As you can see, 2008 was an eventful year, full of highs and lows. After spending Christmas in SC/GA, we're back at home, settling in for the winter, and looking forward to 2009.

Tony will be missed, but never forgotten. The water keeps flowing downhill. Such is life.

Thanks for everybody's thoughts and prayers, and we hope you're doing well.

Keep fishin'

D

2008 Part 14: December Hunting

Sorry if you're squeamish, but I grew up in a hunting family and do enjoy responsible hunting, particularly for wild boar and feral hogs in GA and SC. I try to join Dad every year around his birthday for an annual hunt to fill the freezer for the winter. It doesn't get more hormone-free than that. Stalking them into close quarters in the swamps is our style. It's fun to get to play with a classic old Jeep Scrambler in the swamp too to help haul them out.

2008 Part 13: More from Turneffe

Just a few more shots from Turneffe Flats. It's amazing to watch the full moon rise over the reef and make the water glisten. The flats are full of life, and we weren't the only ones stalking as evidenced by this octopus who put on an incredible display of colors for us. And yes, the masks are to keep the sun off. 

One of the best things about being on an island with a small group of people is the friendships that are made. This is Jim and Melissa from Alaska with us on the last day. We're looking forward to sharing stories over a bar in AK some time.

2008 Part 12: Belize

Saltwater fly fishing is addictive. Plain and simple. The fish are strong, skittish, and they will challenge you. Spending the day in tropical clear water isn't too bad either. It wasn't tarpon season while we were there, but the elusive Permit were around, plenty of Bonefish, and Barracuda are a nice addition and treat for the guides to snack on (word is they can carry a bacteria not meant for us gringos). 

Ashley brought the good luck, and we were the first of the guests that week to land a Permit. They are extremely selective with excellent eyesight. It took a lot of work and patience, but with the help of my guide, Mike (all guides at Turneffe are excellent, native Belizians), and with Ashley in the boat bringing us luck, we got the job done. Ashley got into some Bonefish too before the week was out.

2008 Part 11: Off to Belize

I've never been on a vacation anywhere tropical - always mountains or deserts. Ashley and I had been talking about a trip to Belize for a while, and we figured since we just got married and all, and VT in November (AKA Stick Season) is rather grey and dull, Belize sounded like a good idea.

And since we could both use a little pampering at that point, we settled on Turneffe Flats resort on the Turneffe Atoll, who was running a 2 for 1 special for the Fall. I could fully immerse in the world of saltwater fly fishing, and Ashley could too, and spend time in the Atoll Adventure, doing various non-angling activities around the islands. We had a great bungalow right on the water, looking out over the reef.

The Turneffe Atoll is an incredible place, located about 30 miles off shore from Belize City. It is the second largest barrier reef in the world behind the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. It is also home to the prized 'Grand Slam' species of tropical fly fishing -- Permit, Tarpon and Bonefish.

Turneffe Flats is a wonderful location to learn about these species and the conservation efforts to protect them and the atoll they call home.

For more information on conservation of these incredible species, check out Bonefish and Tarpon Trust and Friends of Turneffe Atoll.

For more information on travel to Turneffe Flats, check out Orvis Travel. 

2008 Part 10: More Wedding

Just a few more pics here from the wedding and reception. The Grift put on a great show, and there were some bodies movin'.

2008 Part 9: Gettin' Hitched

October 18th was the day. Ashley had done a great job planning a classic VT wedding. The location was the Old Lantern in Charlotte, VT, an old restored barn. Thanks to our families, and everybody who came, and we hope you had a good time.

2008 Part 8: Maine Brook Trout

You'd think that after a month in AK, I might be kind of fished out. Not the case. Things were really hectic with wedding preparations after getting home and settling back into 'the groove'. Sometimes grooves need to be changed. Maine is another one of my favorite places, and one of my favorite times to be there is the Fall. So a quick drive over on a long weekend was in order for some river time, and to check in on my friend Bob's new cabin.

I don't know that there's a prettier fish than native Maine Brook Trout in spawning colors. The history of Brook Trout is long in Maine's waters, with prehistoric genes still swimming upstream, and hopefully it will continue to stay that way. 

2008 Part 7: AK Finale

The longer the salmon are in the river spawning, the bigger and fatter the trout and char that feed on their eggs and rotting flesh get. So as the trip wound down, the plan was to spend the last few days on the Kenai where ALL the fish run big. It was a good decision, and a great way to cap off an incredible month. Looking forward to doing it again some time.

2008 Part 6: AK - Clear Creek

Due to the high water, we finished the Gulkana a day earlier than planned. That turned out to be a great thing, as it allowed enough time to drive to Talkeetna and hire Denali Helicopters to fly us and the raft into Clear Creek Canyon for a float back to town. We lucked out with the best weather of trip for the flight in, with incredible views of Mt. McKinley (Denali). The fishing in Clear Creek was incredible with huge Grayling and pristine Rainbows. Next time, we will fly in higher up in the drainage and extend the trip.

2008 Part 5: AK - Gulkana

As expected, the Gulkana was high like every other river in AK. It really didn't matter though, and as expected, it was full of hungry Arctic Grayling eager to take a dry fly. It is home to one of the Northernmost populations of Rainbow Trout in the world, and they are a beautiful gold color in the Fall. 

There is one short Class III/IV canyon the Gulkana, but it's a pretty mild river overall. We had complete privacy, with only the company of Bald Eagles, Caribou and bear that call the river home. It was a great week on the river.