2008 Part 4: AK - Dad Arrives

Dad arrived in AK on August 16th. The first few weeks on my own revealed a few things - A) August 2008 was very cold and wet. It rained every day, river levels were very high,  and temps were about 10-20 degrees below average. Locals were calling it the 'Year of No Summer'. B) Because of that, Salmon run were late and since everything up there is timed with the salmon, the Dolly Varden, Rainbow Trout and bears were behaving accordingly. 

I introduced Dad to AK with a couple days on the Kenai with instant action with salmon, Dolly Varden and trout, and we headed in Anchorage for supplies, picked up a raft, and headed to the Gulkana for a multi-day float.

2008 Part 3: Fall begins in AK

I had been waiting all summer to execute my grand scheme......propose to Ash, and then split town for AK so she could plan everything! I figured she'd never expect that, and sure enough it worked out. I did my best -- designed a ring, and with the help of Whit, lined up an amazing private dinner in a wine cellar at the Pitcher Inn  in Warren, VT. Everything came together perfectly, and it was an awesome night.

Before I knew it, I was on a plane to AK. I had found myself a month -- a month in one of the most amazing places on Earth. I had 10 days there alone in 2007, knew I hadn't even scratched the surface, and couldn't wait to get back. It is a truly special, wild place. The plan this time was the first two weeks alone scouting new areas and rivers, and then guiding my Dad for the next two. Time would be spent on foot, camping streamside, and finding solitude (yes, there can even be too many people in AK.) I was hoping to line up some kind of backcountry fly-out, and

I wanted to fish heavily for Arctic Grayling on a few rivers, and primarily on the Gulkana, a National Wild And Scenic river in the interior that would require a 4 or 5 day float. 

The photos here are from the first couple of weeks.

2008 Part 2: Spring & Summer

The Spring and Summer.....Spring and Summer of 2008 flew by. We had an excellent Spring runoff, but a very dry summer overall. With the new Jeep came some work in making kayak-carriers, and becoming a member of the Vermont Expedition Society, www.vtxs.org. Love was in the air as well, and my pet San Felipe Rosy Boa's bred for their first time. Additional pics are of some moose in New Hampshire, and late summer fly fishing on Otter Creek for Brown Trout.

2008....Year in Review....Part 1: Winter

2008 started off good, lots of snow and ice to play with. 

Here are some shots of ice climbing in Smuggler's Notch, VT, local backcountry skiing and snowboarding with John, an overnight snowshoe with Ashley and friends Mike and Kristin, and the Jeep peaking out from under a fresh blanket.

Welcome. And it begins....

2008 was an eventful year for me. As time goes on, I'll post some Year-In-Review entries, but it was a very big year. I surprised a few folks and got married after 5 years with Ashley, of course, I left for Alaska for a month 2 days after proposing. I was fortunate enough to have some great trips here around VT, and in ME, SC, Belize, and Alaska where I was able to guide my father for a few weeks. I was unfortunate enough to lose a father-in-law, and watch Ashley lose a father who was dearly loved. Tony will be missed, he was the first person I ever wet a fly line with, and those priceless memories and sharing them are what this blog will be all about. 

Cheers to 2009.

D