The Naknek! Week 2 in AK!

k8 with bo on spey, originally uploaded by k8.Rogue Angels.

First fish on the spey! I devirginized this rod too...an 8/9 G.Loomis 13'9" Spey Rod, the Dredger with a 550 Skagit Line-cheater- and Type 3 sink tip and heavy eyed rabbit fly...it is Nanci's rod and she hasn't gotten around to breaking it in, so I hucked it and scored!

Damn miserable days for the opener on the Naknek...cold mornings at around 35 and barely warming up to 45 during the days-add some wind and rain, and I think you can tell by the look on my face that although there is quite abit of joy in those eyes and smile, the rest of my face is wincing at the conditions. Luckily we had two of my favorite folks up here for three days fishing with us, Big G and Lil' e, so amid their chatter about bow bows and ole' boo boo the bear as well as their fishing battle for musical freedom (Lil' e won), I laughed my way through each day relentlessly as I tagged along with them and Heath to learn the ways of the Naknek. Not only did I get to wet a line often, I also got in on some netting action and of course photography. And I got some tips both from watching the infamous Big G "huck" lines out to the other side of the river and Lil' e's ability to read water like its his native tongue. Needless to say we did not feast eyes upon any over 30, but they got close to that with 27-28 inchers..much better than most everyone else on the river.

In other news...

One night this week at the saloon, King Ko's, I feasted my eyes on a char 33" by 23"...i kid you not. This beast is completely unbelievable...almost grotesque, just a big fatty football, no shoulders, no neck. Popped out of Naknek Lake no doubt.

Broke my rod the other day...my Winston Biix 9'6" 8 wt. Not even on a fish by god, just trying to get my line out there...not sure whether to be upset or not...being surrounded by fishing gear makes one a bit jaded I think. And on that note, I got my king box! It was like freaking Christmas in the stinky wader and tackle room, unwrapping new plugs and spoons, and organizing the old ones...I am fully stocked with plugs for king season, if only those bad boys would show up in numbers! First ones through a net reported today, way l8 for this river. :(

My waders still leak...oh wait that is old news...

Despite the cold temps, I have watched the scenery turn from brown to green over the last two weeks, and seen some flowers blooming...

I've also to d8 seen a bear with a big butt sauntering down the driveway, a moose and baby on the river, a couple beautiful and tall orange foxes, and more eagles than you can shake a stick at. Wildlife galore here in the last frontier.

I still am not drinking coffee although with 6 hours of sleep each night, this is becoming tougher and tougher I tell you...

Reach for your goals Angels! Everyone is a star!