I chose to go into the highest rated (.1 more) fly shop in Anchorage, found by Google. Mossy’s Fly Shop was busy, with employees filling up reels and getting rods to be delivered. Must be that time of year. I told them that I would be in the State for 10 to 12 weeks, and where should I go, other than Hell? That is a loaded question with ten weeks of clearing rivers and an entire state to fish.
An then, the GUY told me to go to Barnes and Noble and get a copy of Gunner Pedersen’s “Highway Angler. Fishing Alaska’s Road System”. This Holy Grail for fishing the Alaskan Highways has seasonal charts for when to fish for each species in each area. The GUY also told me to fish the Hope river system and several lakes that I’ll be passing by. Evidently, these lakes are ignored as people fly by to get to their destinations, but they have LOTS of BIG FISH.
Oh, Mossy’s Fly Shop has not given me anything other than information. I told the GUY that I didn’t believe in free information, and asked what flies I really needed. He stated that I didn’t need to buy flies and they were happy to help. I gave him a copy of my retirement card with my blog site on it. I may get my readership up into double figures at this rate.
So, tomorrow, two hour drive to a camp site with three nights of paid camping. I may fish, I may not be able to. Both of my calves are screaming and I’m walking like an old (older) man. They will heal, and I have 10 to 12 weeks to fish, with a guide to every creek, river, and lake along the roads in Alaska. Now all I have to do is fall in love, stay here permanently, and Fish Them All. LOL
Tight Lines!