Bear Cubs have moved on

Rog and I will have to provide our own comic relief cause the majority of the DeJean family circus has returned to the boring lower 48.  We all had such a good time that I suspect they'll be back.

Had a good afternoon in Homer.

Bill wanted me to do the safety briefing, good luck.

Went halibut fishing on BW's boat.

Got our share.

Saw some moose.

This was there favorite boat in the harbor.  It actually still puts out to sea.  Note the crab pot in the cockpit, and there is also a small winch on the starboard rail for pulling it.

Rog, the official rod handler.

The kitchen sink assembly line.

So Rog and I have today and two more days to fill up the freezer.  We plan to enlist Tony and get serious tomorrow.  If it quits raining that is.

Stay cool down there.  I hear it is quite warm, but I can't relate.

The DeJean Family Circus Goes Fishing

Been chasing reds.  Not much of a chase really, Sunday’s sonar count was officially 230,000 plus.  The DeJean’s have been arriving steadily since Saturday.  We now have two Rogers and two Troys; confusing enough for us, let alone the innocent bystander.

Troy arrived late last night to fill out the crew and today we borrowed Tony’s boat to fish reds.  Troy claims he slipped while trying to walk up the bank after he hooked his last fish but his brother says it was a rookie move that resulted in Troy falling backwards into the river and letting go of his (dad’s) rod in the process.  Then, realizing the grossness of his error, he leaped after the rod, landing on his face in the river.  Alas, he missed it, so it was up to his older brother to grab the rod as it went by. 

Of course the older and, self proclaimed, much wiser brother realized that since he had already caught his limit, he’d better give the rod back to Troy and get the net.  Between the two of them, they brought the fish in.

Unfortunately, I was upstream and missed it.  When I was walking back down the woman fishing just upstream from them said, “Those two are like two bear cubs.”

I responded, “Yes, they are usually quite entertaining.” 

Fortunately, their father saw most of it so I was able to piece together the true story after hearing the boy’s ridiculous versions.

What the picture can’t show is just how wet and cold Troy is.

Later, they shared their adventure with their more gullible friends.  I'd like to hear the different versions.

Tomorrow we are off to track the elusive halibut.  Then we hope to get one more day of reds in before the boys have to go back to work.  I think big Rog and I have the day off.

Stay cool!

Now the fishing starts

Dropped the Portland family off at the airport today; had a great visit and grand baby fix.  Staying at the Teague's tonight then back home tomorrow.

Roasting smores over an open Weber.

Kenai Wildlife Refuge

The caribou were a bit on the small side

Baby bison were a hit

A tourist insisted that this was a caribou

Stopped off at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center on the way up.  Was better than I expected; there were lots of critters to see.

Now I've got this week to get a bunch of Sockeye in the smoker so the DeJean boys can have plenty frozen up for the trip home.  It is as good an excuse to get fishing as I can come up with right now.

Note to Troy, the seagulls have been asking when you'll be getting here.  Better bring a rain suit.

To everyone else, be kind to your web footed friends.


Enjoy Summer!

Homer on the 4th

Had a great day on the 4th; hope all your’s went as well.

We picked up Ryan, Judy and Nina in Anchorage on the 3rd and had a beautiful drive back that evening.  For the 4th we slept in (sort of, Nina was up and at em by 5:30), then drove down to Bill & Shellie’s after lunch.

Bill has the music room coming along fine with the addition of a drum set. An impromptu with Bill on acoustics, Jake on drums, Annie on Bass, Ryan on lead and Grandpa as engineer/critic was awesome. 

We moved out to Worsfold Field for some frisbee, football and trampoline work.  We managed to not hurt anyone and the only one who scored on Ryan the Annihilator was grandpa.

Only in Alaska, ok maybe California

"NO ONE SHALL PASS"

Perfect day; bug count was even low.  Hope all the peasants had as much fun.

Back at Soldotna Creek Park this morning.

Get outside, quick, it's sunny!

Soldotna Creek Quiz

Long time no post.  Probably won’t be getting any better till there is something to talk about or show.  Ryan, Judy, Nina and an as yet unnamed future draft choice are arriving tomorrow, so things should get interesting soon.

Fishing is slow but I’m not putting in many hours yet.  Here are a series of photos of the 11 river access stairs at Soldotna creek park.  Taken yesterday, they show the river bank with the water level around 2 feet lower than usual.  This allows a unique opportunity to select the best areas for red fishing next month.  So anyone coming up then should commit these spots to memory.  Or in Rogers case, look at them once and immediately forget what river this is.

Here is stair one, furthest downstream, a good spot that has picked up a few trees that may still be around in July.

Here is next one up stream, #2.  Should be decent drift, may be hard to walk around.

Here is #3.  May be hard to walk.

Here is view from #4.  May be impossible to get in water or walk, plus lots of snags.

Here is #5. Great drift and space to walk.

Here is #6.  Good access and drift.

Here is #7.  Handicap site, may have room for one good spot downstream in the water.

Here is #8.  May be hard to get into water if it comes up much, and lots of snags.

Here is #9.  Snag city.

Here is #10.  A small wood stair, not a good drift.

Here is Soldotna creek where it flows into the Kenai.  Generally not fishable for Reds.

OK, sports fans, that's the story.  Study up, there will be a quiz.

 Till later.