I’m on the Russian River near the town of Cooper Landing. I relaxed this morning and went out for brunch again. Then, on to Pink Salmon parking lot to access the river. I took my time getting all my gear ready, and befriended a guy who has been fishing here for 30 years. Case in…
Day 28: A Calming Has Enveloped Me — Without Beer
Last night I didn’t want to spend 50+ dollars to sleep in an RV park. So I drove south towards the Russian River, to find a 7 dollar campground (senior) after about 60 miles. A short drive and I was in Cooper Landing, having a nice Jalapeno Burger with a ton of fries. I made…
Day 27: I Find the Alaska Road Fishing Holy Grail
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…
Day 26: On The Road Again
After a couple of days not driving for hours and not filling up twice a day, I’m back on the road. I was wrong. My trip is not 700 miles, but 7 hours. I headed down the Parks Highway running towards beautiful scenery. But, even more beautiful that an hour or two out of Fairbanks,…
Day 25: Time for Laundry and a Shower
I’m heading out Sunday and Monday for a two day drive (700 miles) to a spot that “supposedly” has salmon in the waters. After sitting in my van all day, with three days of mosquito repellent on me, I decided that I had better do laundry and clean myself up. So, I stayed the night…
Day 24: In My Cocoon, At the Lake, In the Rain
It is raining pretty hard outside, and I just woke up after sleeping in. I ended up staying in the van all day, reading the first two books of Philip Jose Farmer’s Riverworld series. I drove around the lake to use the rest area, and upon returning my camping neighbor came over and told me…
Day 23: Hanging Out At The Lake
I drove into Fairbanks to get a cooked meal, some soda, and hang for a while. I returned to the campsite only to find that my spot had been taken. I found the next best spot right next to them. They were friendly and amazed at seeing me in my belly boat cruising around the…
Day 22: I Found the Fishing / Camping Gem near Fairbanks
It took me almost two hours to drive back up to Fairbanks. I had lunch at the same place as yesterday, and sadly, was disappointed with their cheeseburger. However, their fries were awesome. I had another list of campgrounds near Fairbanks, and the first one that caught my eye was a “pond” that held stocked…
Day 21: I must, MUST, find a campground that is belly boat friendly
With all the rivers blown out, and me arriving in Alaska 4 weeks before Mike Kuczynski told me I needed to be in Anchorage for the silver salmon runs, I have to entertain myself in Alaska for a month. Ideally, there will be lots of small lakes, full of trout and grayling. That is my…
Day 20: Another Fine Mess You Got Us In, Shane!
And I awake, refreshed and less than an hour from the Alaskan border. I get on the road and drive to the border, and then 100 miles up the road to Delta Junction, the official end of the Alcan Highway. I completed the trip 4 weeks early by ignoring lakes to fish that were 20…