Oregon Coast Fishing, Guides and Charters!
Seaside, Astoria, Tillamook Bay, The Wilson, The Kilchis, The Trask, The Nestucca,
The Nehalem, The Necanicum, Youngs Bay, The Columbia River and the Washington
tributaries of the lower Columbia estuaries.
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Doesn't look like a float plane will make it in today.....
A view from the hot tub.... Won't make it out today, darn, have to soak some more, then fish, then soak....
The hot tub building
THE HILLS ARE ALIVE, WITH THE SOUND OF MUSSSSSSIC!
Just a little cabin in the woods in a most splendid fishing village!
The Main Lodge, filled with food, cheer, food, cheer, food,
cheer, and more cheer!
Random cabins... the one in the rear is full of every G Loomis you can imagine!
July 26th
Alaska...
I woke on 18th, to the sound of my alarm. 4:00 A.M.,
and ready to explore the Crescent river and lake in Lake Clark National Park.
The weather was not nearly as nice. Clouds hung low over the lake. I dressed
appropriately, with the few changes I brought.
We met for breakfast, and what a breakfast! I did gain weight at Redoubt,
with all the pancakes, bacon and eggs and steak! Wow!
We all met at the family style table. All kinds of fish talk surrounded me
as the group staying at Redoubt decided on which species they were going after.
It was decided that one group would go for Kings and the other to learn to
fly fish for dollies, char and lake trout.
Chris and I were to go with the host, Eric for a tour of the options.
Along with the bear cautions, life jackets were issued and mandatory at Redoubt.
Safety is primary in everything you do.
We hauled off in the sled. All boats are equipped with a 35 horse power 4
stroke Yamaha, and ready for your use.
They had landed 20 kings in the boat the day before, and we were taken first
to the last area of the river that is safely navigable with our craft.
I guess the rapids further down get to be class 4 and 5, so drifting in a
drift boat may be questionable. I don't even know if it could be done in a
raft. Although we did, it was difficult for us to stay in the boundaries.
Further down river called to us every time we back bounced down to the deadline.
You can hike down, but Jennie, the-bear-fearing-female didn't consider it
an option!
Eric took us back, and Chris and I went out to explore and fish on our own.
Sockeye salmon rolled consistently on the shoreline, and dolly, lake trout
and char showed their life all around us.
We didn't see a bear that first day, although we were on constant lookout.
The bald eagles were thick in the trees, perhaps waiting for us to release
a fish that they could scoop up for an easy dinner.
Gary Hilton mentioned that you can get great pictures of an eagle in this
manner.
I guess the bear come down to the camp, starting at the time of year we visited,
and get more prolific through August, September and October as they feed on
the fish at the shoreline. It is known as one of the best brown bear viewing
places there is.
I think we skipped lunch that day, so intent on discovering the area's treasure
in fish. We trolled, we cast spinners, we back bounced K16s, we caught fish,
and fish, and more fish!
Time flew by!
Dinner was served that night and the plane that was supposed to pick us up
had been grounded. We were socked in.
We sat around camp, had a couple of drinks, and headed out again to fish,
that evening.
The visibility was getting poorer and poorer as the clouds dropped and seemed
to touch our heads.
Glancing out my cabin, I noticed I couldn't see the lake. It'll clear by morning...
until then, I will enjoy!
I slept better than I had ever slept in my life. The mountain air, the wilderness,
the tall trees, and the mountains surrounding me, holding me tight inside
that little cedar cabin.
Till morning, Crescent Lake.
We'll fly out in the morning.... We'll wake to sunny skies and take another
beautiful flight on the float plane.
NOT.
But can you imagine a better place to be stuck? :)