LEANNE'S FIRST PIKE THROUGH THE ICE
LEANNE TOOK THIS NICE NORTHERN THROUGH THE ICE ON BUFFALO LAKE, IN PACKWAUKEE, WISCONSIN. IF I REMEMBER CORRECTLY IT WAS AROUND 34" LONG.
Below is a video of my first ever bone fish. Caught on my fly rod on our honeymoon in the Bahamas.
Four Guides Four Kings
We had a day off from guiding at the Unalakleet River Lodge (left to right) so Dale, Pete (my bro), Andy and I hit the river. The biggest king was 40 lbs and the smallest I think was around 22lbs, plus we released quite a few. That was a fun day!
First two kings of the year
My dad and cousin Jerry pulled the first two kings of the season out of the North River where its flows into the Unalakleet. My dad (right) broke the handle off his reel fighting that fish. It was a 25lb beauty. That was a special day... guiding my dad on the river, and him landing the very first king of the year for the entire lodge!!!
Paulie's fat rainbow
My good friend Paul and I took a 2 1/2 hr 4-wheeler ride back into our buddy Dale's cabin on Clear Creek, near Talkeetna, Alaska. This nice rainbow took Paul's fly as Paulie was untangling as mess in his fly line. But hey, a take is a take, and a catch is a catch.
Brother pete with a 30 lb King
This was Pete's first 30 pounder. It was the summer of 2001. Pete and I guided together that summer in Unalakleet. We had a lot of fun, and caught some nice fish. One thing that often comes to mind when I think of that summer is the day we were supposed to fly out, a day when we all remember where we were... September 11, we got held up for a while...
Chum (Dog) salmon
This is a descent Chum salmon I caught out on the Unalakleet River. Chums are also called "dog salmon", they make good dog food for the Alaskan sled dogs.
Doc's Hole
During the 2000 season I had the pleasure of guiding "Doc". Doc found himself a spot up on the North River were he could catch a silver every time. One day we went up there and I watched Doc go set up in his spot. I thought "hey I should get my camera ready, I know he's gunna get one." Sure enough he did. That's Doc, and that's "Doc's Hole".
North To Alaska
I had the good fortune to guide for Larry Csonka and his wife Audry for their TV show "North To Alaska". Also pictured here, holding the Silver salmon, is Medal of Honor recipient Ken Stumpf.
Another Unakleet King
Here is my friend Dennis with a nice King. Dennis can really catch fish. I'll always remember Dennis as the guy who got spooled. We were back trolling a big hole one day on the river when I got a massive hit on the rod I was holding. I couldn't control the rod and boat in that spot so I handed off to Dennis. Dennis stuck out one hand to grab the rod and I told him something like, "you better use two". A very short time later I heard a "snap"... the big King had turned around and taken out all the line in an amazingly short amount of time, even though I was backing the boat down stream. I still wonder how big he was...