Alaska SJ Oct 2018 by Media Index Publishing Group

GIFT GUIDE INSIDE

AKSPORTINGJOURNAL.COM

U|xaHBEIGy01370tz]v,:!

The Xtreme Defender is based on the popular Xtreme Penetrator product line. The XD ammunition has an optimized nose flute, total weight, and velocity to achieve a penetration depth up to 18 inches* with a permanent wound cavity (PWC) that is just simply enormous; no other expanding hollowpoint comes close to achieving anywhere near this diameter and volume. Not only is the PWC over 100% larger than any other expanding bullet, expansion is achieved despite being shot through barriers. The solid copper body ensures that wallboard, sheet metal, and automotive glass will have no effect on the PWC.

%RWWRP 5G 6SDUWD ,OOLQRLV

*Falling within FBI guidelines This round offers: A permanent Wound Cavity (PWC) that is 2 times greater than any expanding bullet reduced recoil. CNC machined from solid copper to overcome barriers to penetration Radial flutes that force the hydraulic energy inward to build pressure Minimal surface area to increase the force at the point of contact and sharp cutting edges that defeat barriers.

&DOO XV ZZZ XQGHUZRRGDPPR FRP

Volume 10 • Issue 5 www.aksportingjournal.com PUBLISHER James R. Baker GENERAL MANAGER John Rusnak EXECUTIVE EDITOR Andy Walgamott EDITOR Chris Cocoles WRITERS Dave Atcheson, Paul D. Atkins, Casey Campbell, Joseph Frueauf, Scott Haugen, Tiffany Haugen, Jeff Lund, Mike Lunde, Mike Wells SALES MANAGER Katie Higgins ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Mamie Grifﬁn, Mike Smith, Paul Yarnold DESIGNERS Kayla Mehring, Jake Weipert

CLOSEST SEAPORT TO PORTLAND, OR!

WEB DEVELOPMENT/INBOUND MARKETING Jon Hines PRODUCTION ASSISTANT Kelly Baker ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT Katie Aumann INFORMATION SERVICES MANAGER Lois Sanborn ADVERTISING INQUIRIES media@media-inc.com ON THE COVER Paul Atkins has compiled a bucket list of Alaska-related hunting and fishing goals. One of the most difficult tasks he finally was able to check off was harvesting a mountain goat. (PAUL D. ATKINS)

The Port of Garibaldi encompasses three coastal towns, including Bay City, Garibaldi and Rockaway Beach. Besides housing RV parks and lodging, restaurants, seafood processing, a lumber mill, and commercial and charter ﬁshing, the Port’s harbor has moorage for 277 vessels. The Port’s property also features the Lion’s Club Lumbermen’s Park and an antique train display. A walking path is also a popular draw for locals as well as visitors to Garibaldi.

ALASKA SPORTING JOURNAL

OCTOBER 2018 | aksportingjournal.com

MEDIA INDEX PUBLISHING GROUP WASHINGTON OFFICE 14240 Interurban Ave South • Suite 190 Tukwila, WA 98168 (206) 382-9220 • Fax (206) 382-9437 media@media-inc.com www.media-inc.com CORRESPONDENCE Twitter @AKSportJourn Facebook.com/alaskasportingjournal Email ccocoles@media-inc.com

THEY WRITE COUNTRY SONGS ABOUT MORNINGS LIKE THIS.

BUT AT 70 MPH YOU CAN’T HEAR THEM.

It’s a glorious sunrise, viewed in fast forward thanks to the power of your 250 ProXS. Because you need to get there while the ﬁsh are still eating breakfast. Learn more at mercurymarine.com or visit your local dealer, today.

ALASKA CRAIG The Bay Company 1250 Hill Top Drive (907) 826-3341 www.baycompany.com

WASHINGTON KETCHIKAN The Bay Company 636 Stedman Street (907) 225-3342 www.baycompany.com

ALASKA SPORTING JOURNAL

OCTOBER 2018 | aksportingjournal.com

WRANGELL The Bay Company 431 Front Street (907) 874-3340 www.baycompany.com

OLYMPIA U.S. Marine Sales & Service 3525 Paciﬁc Ave SE (360) 455-0788 www.usmarinesales.com

CONTENTS

VOLUME 10 • ISSUE 5

CHECKING HIS LIST Come on, admit it: Even if you don’t have a written bucket list of goals, destinations or standards you want to achieve in your lifetime, you’re keeping mental notes. For this issue, Paul Atkins (far right) jotted down his personal checklist of hunts, ﬁshing trips and other adventures he’s either already gotten done or dreams about. Get inspired by some of Paul’s own planning and executing and make your dreams come true. (PAUL D. ATKINS)

FEATURES 21

MUSIC MAN, OUTDOORS LOVER Texan Gary Morris was once a promising athlete, then became a beloved country music entertainer who also starred on Broadway and performed for presidents and the Queen of England. As passionate about hunting and ﬁshing as he is about making new songs, Morris, now approaching 70, shared some of his memorable experiences in Alaska in this proﬁle.

ROCK THE VOTE FOR KINGS, COHO, OTHER SPECIES Salmon conservationists and local business owners who depend on the ﬁshing industry have pushed for more protection of the Last Frontier’s spawning grounds. In November, Alaska voters will decide on Ballot Measure 1, which would provide more clarity for projects that could affect salmon habitat. Trout Unlimited’s Dave Atcheson argues why protecting the state’s most important ﬁsh means casting a yes vote on Election Day.

39 66 95 123

Prince William Sound hatcheries’ boost ﬁshing, communities Delta-Clearwater grayling Sharing “scars” from the outdoors Company makes “Alaska-tough” tents

GO COHO LOCO THIS FALL October means prime coho ﬁshing in many Alaska rivers, and for Scott Haugen, it’s time to cast plugs into the Kenai and other streams. In our latest From Field to Fire column, Haugen shares his favorite lures and top tactics for enticing fall coho, and Tiffany Haugen adds a hearty Halloween-themed snack for your costume party.

101 TEACHING MOMENTS Jeff Lund can’t get enough of being a mentor. Our Ketchikan-based teacher and basketball coach also wants to inspire and shape young minds of those who want to be better hunters and steelhead anglers. “At some point, you have to look at what type of man you are and what type of inﬂuence you’re having on teenagers,” Mr. Lund writes. Take a seat, because class is in session.

DEPARTMENTS

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE 17 47 115

The Editor’s Note: Tragic death of hunter/entrepreneur/ former football player Jason Hairston Outdoor calendar Gear Guy: Best tents on the market

Alaska Sporting Journal is published monthly. Call Media Inc. Publishing Group for a current rate card. Discounts for frequency advertising. All submitted materials become the property of Media Inc. Publishing Group and will not be returned. Annual subscriptions are $29.95 (12 issues) or $39.95 (24 issues). Send check or money order to Media Inc. Publishing Group, 14240 Interurban Ave South, Suite 190, Tukwila, WA 98168 or call (206) 382-9220 with VISA or M/C. Back issues may be ordered at Media Inc. Publishing Group, subject to availability, at the cost of $5 plus shipping. Copyright © 2018 Media Inc. Publishing Group. All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be copied by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying or recording by any information storage or retrieval system, without the express written permission of the publisher. Printed in U.S.A. 12

ALASKA SPORTING JOURNAL

OCTOBER 2018 | aksportingjournal.com

Choose quality Alaskan-made gear when planning your next adventure. GUN SCABBARD waterproof gun bag.

ATTENTION ASJ READERS: MENTION THIS AD FOR A FREE CARRY STRAP WITH PURCHASE OF THE GUN SCABBARD

Shop nomaralaska.com to see all the gear we make for outdoor adventures. Homer, Alaska • 1-800-478-8364 • nomaralaska.com

EDITOR’S NOTE

s a longtime football fan – but far more college than the NFL – I’ve had to accept that the game has a dark side. The acronym CTE (chronic traumatic encephalopathy) has become part of the lexicon in the sporting world, especially for former college and pro footballers who have suffered the long-term effects of playing a game that we watch faithfully. So it was sad to learn that former linebacker turned big game hunter and successful outdoor clothing apparel owner Jason Hairston, 47, took his own life in September. Hairston, who I wrote about a couple years ago in a cover story (Alaska Sporting Journal, January 2016), played high school football in Southern California, was a standout collegian at UC Davis and had short stints with both the Denver Broncos and San Francisco 49ers before neck injuries ended his football career at 24. During an extended conversation we had, Hairston told Jason Hairston, an outdoor clothing me this about how company owner who appeared on heartbroken he was our cover two years ago, took his own life in September, possibly from the that he could no longer damaging toll playing football took on play the game. him physically. (PHOTO BY KUIU) “It was really, really hard and really depressing … My focus became the NFL. Your whole life for years was focused on this sport, and then to have it pulled it from under you unexpectedly was really tough,” he said. “All of a sudden you’re lost, saying, ‘What am I going to do next?’ Your future career plans have been put on hold.” Hairston moved on from playing football to become an outdoor apparel mogul. He founded KUIU – named for the Southeast Alaska island – which became a multi-million-dollar company. Hairston hunted throughout North America and cherished his time chasing big game in the Last Frontier. But this husband and father of two feared he was suffering from the effects of head trauma he endured during his football career (his wife Kirstyn requested to have Jason’s brain evaluated for CTE damage shortly after his reported suicide in Northern California). I was saddened to read about Hairston’s passing and follow-up reports about the fears he and his family had about potential football-related symptoms he was suffering from, which may or may not have contributed to his death. On a recent rainy Saturday, I played couch potato and watched college games off and on all day, celebrated a big win by my alma mater Fresno State, but all along I kept thinking about Jason Hairston. I hope he’s somehow at peace now. -Chris Cocoles

aksportingjournal.com | OCTOBER 2018

ALASKA SPORTING JOURNAL

TRAVEL TRAILER / 5TH WHEEL

ONLY X 8.1% SALES TA S! NT DE SI RE A TO W X NO WA SALES TA ON RVs TO OUT-OF-STATE BUYERS!

DESTINATION TRAILERS

1-5 Exit 36 • Kelso, WA

CELEBRATING 40 YEARS! 1978 – 2018

TRUCK CAMPER / TOY HAULERS

Right on the Freeway – Right on the Price

www.UNEEKRV.com / 800-248-6335

COUNTRY STRONG ENTERTAINER GARY MORRIS FINDS OUTDOOR BLISS IN THE LAST FRONTIER, BEYOND BY CHRIS COCOLES

ary Morris is a born-and-bred Texan who carved out a successful country music career in Nashville and was once a hit on Broadway. But his heart has taken him both west and north.

After recording five No. 1 country singles and performing for almost every U.S. president since the mid-1970s – his big break was a gig singing during Jimmy Carter’s campaign – and crooning before the Queen of England, Morris’ preferred stage now is in the wilderness, which flanks the remote southwest Colorado ranch he now calls home. And there are few places on the planet he’d rather fish or hunt in than Alaska. “Alaska is my favorite place in the United States – maybe second to only New Zealand in the world,” says Morris,

Whether it’s ﬁshing, performing or still making new music, 69-year-old entertainer Gary Morris stays busy. Some of the outdoorsman’s favorite hunting and ﬁshing memories are from Alaska. (GARY MORRIS) aksportingjournal.com | OCTOBER 2018

ALASKA SPORTING JOURNAL

69. “I love it. You know, if it didn’t have a summer with no night and a winter with no day, I’d move there.” Though he continues to record and write new music and stays busy with various charitable commitments, Morris is happier with a ﬂy rod or longbow in his hands than a guitar or microphone. The four or ﬁve trips he’s taken to Alaska are as big a part of who he is as playing the operatic lead in Les Misérables or the Country Music Association and the Academy of Country Music song of the year awards he’s won. “The Alaska experience was always something that I guess I yearned for. And I’ve never had a time where I felt like I had enough,” he says. “I love the wild, and it’s the wildest place, certainly in America.”

Ever Ev ver since sin incee his ince his younger you o ng ger er days day ayss living liivi ving ing g in in Texas, Texa Te xaass,, Morris Mor orri ris is haas embraced has embr em brac br aced ed hunting hun nti t ng g and and ﬁshing. ﬁsh shi hin ing. g. (GARY (GARY (GA GARY MORRIS) MORRIS MOR R ) RIS

ALASKA SPORTING JOURNAL

OCTOBER 2018 | aksportingjournal.com

WHEN HE WAS A college athlete at Cisco College in Texas, Morris was thinking about Alaska. “I had friends who went up there when they were 19 years old and worked on the pipeline,” he says. “And I was in college playing ball and thought, ‘Damn, I’d really like to go.’” Except he didn’t go back for years, not until long after he became a successful performer. It was worth the wait when he made his first trip in the 1980s. Morris flew into Cordova, in Southcentral Alaska. There he met famed hunting guide Sam Fejes, who took Morris on a memorable six-day grizzly hunt. They put in a lot of miles, staying in a tent camp and eating meals cooked over an old WhisperLite stove. The simplicity of the moment had a lasting effect on Morris. He never got the grizzly he was after, but did harvest a black bear on a spot-and-stalk longbow hunt, “which was kind of cool.” “I’ve always said that what Alaska offers is, there are a million ways to live and a million ways to die, and they’re all in Alaska,” Morris says. There were plenty of other adventures in the Last Frontier. In the 1990s, he hosted an outdoors show, The North American Sportsman, on the Nashville Network. His guests on Alaska-filmed episodes included actors Ed Marinaro and Wilford Brimley. The latter fished with Morris in the Brooks Range, where they shared the river with grizzlies.

HOME AWAY FROM HOME

HUNTING & FISHING HOUSE AT LAKE CLARK

Interior 4 bedroom, 2 full baths, cedar sauna, formal dining area with seating for 8, spacious living room with large picture windows, full size washer & dryer, wood burning heater, and LP heater, basement with plenty of storage. Kitchen with all modern amenities, dishwasher, garbage disposal, microwave, oven, propane refrigerator, and stove.

Exterior

Call Now

907 570 1309 Ideal for ďŹ shermen and hunters who want all the comforts of home.

Contact: Luda Gashenko Email: melaw329@gmail.com

aksportingjournal.com | OCTOBER 2018

Cedar siding, metal roof, carport, dock for boats and planes, garage with the generator room, front & back porch with charcoal barbeques, diesel industrial generator, septic tank, water well, 2 Honda ATVs, 15ft aluminum boat.

ALASKA SPORTING JOURNAL

BIG STATE, SMALL WORLD

ary Morris has never performed a public concert in Alaska. But that doesn’t mean he’s completely unknown in the Last Frontier. Two smallworld moments on separate trips provided some nostalgia. “I went into a bar up there (during a trip) and quite a few friends of mine who lived in the Lower 48 had moved up there, including one woman who had been a babysitter for me and had been living in Anchorage,” Morris says. “And she happened to be in that bar the night I went in.” On a hunting trip with longtime guide Sam Fejes, he and Morris stopped in a Cordova restaurant. Morris and Fejes began chatting about his fame as an acclaimed country music singer. (Fejes) is a cocky guy and says, ‘I don’t think anybody up here knows who you are.’ I said, ‘Well, maybe.’ ‘They know Randy Owen (lead singer) of Alabama, but I don’t think they know you.’ I said, ‘That’s ﬁne; I don’t care,’” Morris recalls. He ordered a bowl of salmon chili from the server, who soon returned to the table. “Sam said, ‘Do you know who this is?’ She looked at me and said, ‘No.’ And he said, ‘That’s Gary Morris.’ She said, ‘OK.’ I had shaved my beard off and I always had a beard on my record (covers). She goes back and brings our order out, and she pulls out her wallet with a picture. The picture is of me and her mother from a place called the Belle Starr in Dallas. And Sam just freaked out.” CC

“I’ve brought a bunch of other people up there. I’ve been in floatplanes when that migrating caribou herd was out,” Morris says. “When I hunted with Sam, we went to the lodge one day and we were in two tents in the middle of it. There were grizzly tracks around our tent after we were out all day. When we came in we said, ‘Well, look what’s been here.’” Later, Morris brought his mother Margaret and father Stanley to fish on the Kenai River. The setting also mesmerized his parents. “I was the entertainment for the Kenai Classic. We were at the reception and I told Mom, ‘I need to put you all to bed,’ She said, ‘But it’s daylight.’ ‘Mom, it’s 11:30 at night right now.’” The fishing was pretty good too, particularly for Margaret. When it was her turn to reel in the next fish, their guide handed her the rod. There was a 40-pound king salmon on the other end of the line. “I can’t get it in,” Margaret kept saying. But with the help of the guide, the massive Chinook was netted, the hook spilling out of its mouth just as it was 24

ALASKA SPORTING JOURNAL

OCTOBER 2018 | aksportingjournal.com

safely secured. And she got the ﬁnal laugh out of the story when she and Stanley were back in their Fort Worth, Texas home. “My mom called up the Fort Worth Star-Telegram and said, ‘Margaret, Stanley and Gary Morris went ﬁshing for king salmon. Margaret caught a 40-pounder. Her husband Stanley and son Gary caught a few small trout,’” Gary says. “That got in the paper and, of course, my dad was sitting having coffee with all his boys and had to hear about that.’”

MOST OF TEXAS IS covered with private land, making it more difficult to hunt. “My first hunting experience was a BB gun and a rat,” Morris says. But growing up in the Fort Worth area, fishing was a little easier to access. Nearby Grapevine Lake became a regular destination to take out the family boat and fish for bass. But while visiting an aunt and uncle in Idaho during the summer before his 16th birthday, Morris got his first taste of the true wilderness. “When we were there my cousins tied flies and I tied a few while I was at the

house. And then we went trout fishing, and I was forever hooked on fly fishing.” Still, as a teenager Morris was more focused on his athleticism as a four-sport star. He was good enough to earn a football scholarship as a defensive back at

Cisco (he would have continued his college career and education at Texas Tech had he not chosen to pursue singing). A career in music – he wrote and played a few songs and sang in local choirs – wasn’t even running through his mind.

But again, it was out West where Morris became inspired. “I went to Colorado for a summer between my sophomore and junior years in college. And I was going back to play football and I met up with two boys

When he’s not touring, Morris stays away from Nashville’s country music scene and spends most of his time at his Mountain Spirit Ranch in southwest Colorado. “In this business you can choose where you wake up. If I’m not on the road, I want to wake up here,” he says. “It’s a grounding experience.” (GARY MUSGRAVE)

•Complimentary Breakfast •Airport Shuttle •Restaurant & Lounge •Barber Shop •Fitness Center •Laundromat •High Speed Internet •Business Center •Cable TV/Free HBO •In-Room Microwave & Refrigerator www.valdezharborinn.com 907-835-3434 888-222-3440 - Toll Free Reservations

100 North Harbor Drive, Valdez, Alaska 99686-0468 26

ALASKA SPORTING JOURNAL

OCTOBER 2018 | aksportingjournal.com

Taking You Where Tires Can’t Go!

ROA RO OADS UNNECESSARY RY • • • •

Great For Use on Ice or Snow Easy Bolt-On Install Nearly Maintenance Free Satisfaction Guaranteed 00 Save $3 e efor O r de r B 2018 Oct. 31,

AmericanT AmericanTrackTruck.com A nTr TrackTruc ackTr Truck.com k.com

1-800-900-0995 -0995

“I’ve always said that what Alaska offers is, there are a million ways to live and a million ways to die, and they’re all in Alaska,” Morris says of the state he’s visited a handful of times. “Alaska is my favorite place in the United States.” (GARY MORRIS)

from Texas and we started a little trio in Denver,” he says. “And by the end of the summer I was making 1,000 bucks a week and I thought, ‘Man.’” And there was one more reason why he went away from sports to pursue a career as an entertainer. “It was girls,” he says sheepishly. He tried to make a go of it in Denver, but as an aspiring country singer he did what almost everyone in that genre does in the hopes of hitting it big: move to Nashville. Morris’ time with the Carter presidential campaign helped lead to signing a record deal with Warner Bros. Morris would record a dozen albums, which spawned 16 top 10 singles on the country charts, including the ﬁve No. 1 hits. His rendition of “Wind Beneath My Wings” – Bette Midler would later famously sing it for the 1988 ﬁlm Beaches – resulted in his 1984 song of the year awards. He was also honored in 1982 as Billboard’s male artist of the year. He might have been a mainstay among the honky-tonk crowd in Nashville, but Morris showed his range when he took his talents to the New York opera stage. During the height of his success in 1984, he starred as Rodolfo in La Bohème (alongside pop singer Linda Ronstadt), and later returned to the stage to play the 28

ALASKA SPORTING JOURNAL

OCTOBER 2018 | aksportingjournal.com

lead role of Jean Valjean in Les Misérables (the album of the cast’s rendition of the opera went platinum, leading to Morris’ performance in London for Queen Elizabeth II). “People have said, ‘Hey, you shouldn’t do that,’” Morris says of some of his career choices. “I was told it (singing with Ronstadt) would ruin my career. Well, it closed some doors like country music in terms of playing anything new. But it opened a million others. And I had no regrets for doing any of that.” “I’ve made some bad choices, but we all do that and that’s where we are. And I’m pretty happy with where I am.”

THESE DAYS, MORRIS IS indeed content with writing new songs and appearing in concert in smaller venues. But mostly he is enjoying the good life in Colorado at the property known as Mountain Spirit Ranch. “The closest town is Pagosa Springs. I’m about 4 miles from the New Mexico border,” he says. “I’m at about 7,500 feet and surrounded by 13,000-foot peaks, and I’m on the valley floor.” A portion of the Navajo River runs through his property, a great spot to break out a fly rod and cast for trout. “In this business you can choose where you wake up. If I’m not on the road, I want to wake up here. It’s a grounding experience. We have deer and elk, bear and mountain lion and turkey and all of that right here – literally right here. It’s somewhat wild – there’s not a house in sight from my place. And it’s peaceful and beautiful.” But as a sportsman, his biggest thrill has been hunting with a longbow. He’s hunted with rifles before and understands those who do it regularly, but Morris prefers to hunt without looking through a scope. “Hunting with a longbow, you’re looking at the animal, and it’s a commitment. You’re looking right at it, drawing a bow and releasing an arrow,” he says. “Something still on my bucket list is to come back up (to Alaska) and take a grizzly. And while I’m not what you would call a trophy hunter – I’ve pretty much taken everything with a longbow – there’s something about doing that. I might even talk to (Fejes) about doing a hunt 30

ALASKA SPORTING JOURNAL

OCTOBER 2018 | aksportingjournal.com

next spring.” One of Morris’ other passions is as a benefactor for servicemen and -women. He’s a regular partner with, among other organizations, Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing, which helps veterans suffering through PTSD effects by taking them out into the field. Morris hopes to eventually start his own nonprofit organization to help troops. He hosted four wounded veterans for a Colorado fly fishing trip at his ranch in the summer. Gary’s father Stanley Morris served under General George S. Patton during the liberation of Europe in World War II, so he thought it important to honor his father’s military background. “I was in the Vietnam era and I was in the first lottery and got No. 12. I went to get my physical. And for the only time in my life I had high blood pressure, so I guess I worried myself out of it,” Gary Morris says. “And since then, I don’t know how many shows I’ve done for the military, from Kentucky to Italy, and gone through the Caribbean and Central America on small bases. I’ve been to Germany and the Middle East. It’s just basically saying, ‘Thanks for keeping us safe.’”

IN SEPTEMBER, MORRIS RELEASED a new album, called Sense of Pride. He recently told the website Digital Journal that “the songs almost spewed out of me.” One such track ﬁlled with sentimental overtones is a ballad he titled “I’m In Church.” It’s an ode to the joy the outdoors brings him throughout the seasons. Some of the lyrics are hauntingly beautiful, the perfect tribute to nature for a man who’s appreciated the impact it’s provided, particularly in Alaska. “Fall grabs me by the collar, these mountains make me smaller.” “Pines and aspen blind me, elk above and deer behind me.” “All these moments still unwind me.” ASJ Editor’s note: For more on Gary Morris, check out his website, garymorris.com, where you can purchase his new album, Sense of Pride. You can also ﬁnd it on various music platforms like iTunes and Spotify. Follow on Twitter (@GaryMorrisTour) and like at facebook.com/garymorrismusic. aksportingjournal.com | OCTOBER 2018

ALASKA SPORTING JOURNAL

Alaska anglers and others have been on the crusade to pass the Salmon Habitat Initiative, which would provide better clarity for permitting projects that may impact ﬁsh habitat in the state. (LAKEVIEW OUTFITTERS)

THE FIGHT FOR FISH

VOTING ALASKANS WILL HAVE OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE A STAND FOR SALMON HABITAT BY DAVE ATCHESON

hroughout history, salmon have been part of a David versus Goliath struggle, but unlike the biblical parable, the ﬁsh have mostly been on the losing end, ﬁrst in Europe and later in the continental United States. Fortunately, Alaska continues as one of the few remaining strongholds of wild salmon left on the planet, thanks mostly to its remote location and due to a few key changes in law made at statehood. Many of us worry, however, that without proper protections and updates to antiquated laws, that all might change, and in a hurry. In recent years, for instance, we have seen the specter of the Chuitna coal mine and the Susitna River dam move forward, coming very close to reality. In fact, the biggest reason these projects did not forge ahead was due primarily to economic factors and had nothing to

do with the destruction they would have wreaked upon invaluable and irreplaceable salmon habitat. If those developments had proceeded, along with the proposed Pebble mine, which is still very much in play, Alaska would have been well on its way to joining the Lower 48 and the rest of the world in hastening the demise of one of our most valuable renewable resources, our salmon. That’s why 13 of us – an eclectic group of Alaskans made up of guides, commercial ﬁshers and retired biologists – penned a proposal to the Alaska Board of Fisheries asking them to urge the legislature to update current habitat permitting, using scientiﬁc criteria to bring our laws into the 21st century. The board voted unanimously to support this, and as a result Rep. Louise Stutes put forth House Bill 199, designed

to develop science-based, statutory standards for permitting decisions in anadromous ﬁsh habitat. Regrettably, there was no serious consideration of the bill by the legislature. Fortunately, the state constitution gives Alaska residents an initiative process, by which citizens can use a vote of the people to take up issues the Legislature fails to address. That’s what Ballot Measure No. 1, the Salmon Habitat Initiative, is: A response by the citizens of Alaska, signed by more than 49,000 of them, asking for a fair and common-sense permitting system that protects our ﬁsheries well into the future.

CHANGE NEEDED As it stands, the current law is simply inadequate to assure suitable protection of our anadromous ﬁsh stocks. Written

aksportingjournal.com | OCTOBER 2018

ALASKA SPORTING JOURNAL

almost 60 years ago, it simply states, “The commissioner (of ADFG) shall issue a (habitat) permit unless the plans and specifications are insufficient for the proper protection of fish and game.” The problem is that this statute and its underlying regulations provide only this nebulous description with no defined parameters for what constitutes the proper protection of fish and game, with each administration interpreting it in its own way. What the Salmon Habitat Initiative does is it directs those within the Department of Fish and Game to define those parameters, using science-based standards – thus creating certainty in the permitting process – so every applicant will know what to expect and we can be assured that a robust permitting process will be employed for projects that threaten significant harm to salmon habitat. Under the initiative, habitat permits would be separated into those with “major” and “minor” impacts. Those in the minor category would be streamlined, while scrutiny would be increased for major projects such as the proposed

Pebble Mine. It also allows ADFG to authorize blanket “general permits” by region for activities with comparatively little to no impact, such as ATV use, trails, and docks. The initiative also gives added voice to the people, with the inclusion of public notice and comment periods before ADFG issues a ﬁsh habitat permit that falls into the major category. The initiative would also cut down on the amount of public funds used in permitting by requiring project developers – not the state – to pay for the costs associated with gathering information for their ﬁsh habitat permits.

DIGGING IN FOR A FIGHT There has been considerable pushback to the initiative, especially among large corporations that see protecting salmon habitat as a hindrance to some of their projects and to their proﬁts. Almost immediately a rather formidable group was created to counter the initiative. They dubbed themselves Stand for Alaska. They have been busy gathering funds from various corporate interests, includ-

ing Donlin Gold, BP and Pebble. The Goliath in this battle, they have amassed more than $9 million by the time of this writing, with which they have launched an extensive advertising campaign, bombarding the airwaves and print media with what many see as fear mongering and outright distortions. One of Stand for Alaska’s biggest claims is that this initiative would shut down any and all development. It’s an incorrect assumption in any case, but one that should be completely put to bed since a recent Alaska Supreme Court decision concluded otherwise. The court, in allowing the ballot measure to go forward, removed two provisions it found were too restrictive on ADFG’s ability to issue permits for projects having permanent impacts to salmon habitat. It ruled that the remainder of the initiative gave ADFG sufficient leeway to issue permits considering scientific standards and the public interest. Even with these two provisions removed, those of us deep in the trenches in our fight for salmon believe this still represents significant progress in the

Alaska’s salmon ﬁshing industry and local conservationists have come together during this ﬁght, which includes the Pebble Mine project. (BRANDON HILL)

ALASKA SPORTING JOURNAL

OCTOBER 2018 | aksportingjournal.com

Log Cabin

$260K - Hollis

FlyQuest Lodge $299K - Whale Pass

Garden Estate $350K - Harris River

Rustic Cabin on 12 Acres $125K - Coffman Cove

N-Side View Home $370K - Ketchikan

R&R Lodge $265K - Harris River

View Cabin $130K - Kasaan

Hilltop Home (Two Unit) $375K - Hollis

Waterfront Home & Garage $625K - Craig

Multi-Unit Commercial Bldg $825K - Craig

8QÃ&#x20AC;QLVKHG Waterfront Lodge $960K - Craig, Port St Nick

Lots, all sizes & locations $19K to $205K

Home & Dock $330K - Port Protection

Float House & Shop $65K - Thorne Bay

Float House $35K - Thorne Bay

BROKER, PRINCE OF WALES ISLAND REALTY LLC CELL 219-781-1825 | OFFICE & FAX 907-826-6600 EMAIL chucksrealestate@yahoo.com

www.alaskaislandrealty.com

get the word out and counteract the juggernaut of advertising being put out by foes of the initiative.

A CHANCE TO AVOID REPEATING HISTORY

“There has been considerable pushback to the initiative, especially among large corporations that see protecting salmon habitat as a hindrance to some of their projects and to their proﬁts,” author Dave Atcheson writes. (FLYOUT MEDIA)

When it comes down to it, the simple fact of the matter is this: If a company adjusts its development plan to address anadromous ﬁsh habitat, its project can go forward. This is the minimum we should expect so that Alaska doesn’t repeat the mistakes that have been all too common in Europe and the Lower 48. Bringing this law into the 21st century is just plain common sense and good policy. It’s the least we can do for our salmon, our children, and ourselves. I would urge everyone who’s voting on Nov. 6 to take a look at the initiative itself. For more info, go to standforsalmon .org and savebristolbay.org. ASJ

effort to protect our dwindling natural resources. Among those taking up the grassroots effort to push the initiative forward, the Davids in this case are the likes of sportﬁshing business owners, tribal councils and commercial ﬁsh-

Editor’s note: Dave Atcheson is with Trout Unlimited Alaska. He is also an author whose latest book is Dead Reckoning, Navigating a Life on the Last Frontier, Courting Tragedy on its High Seas. For more on the author, check out daveatcheson.com.

ers. They stand alongside conservation groups such as Cook Inlet Keeper, the Wild Salmon Center and Trout Unlimited. These groups, working mostly on a shoestring budget with the support of local members, are doing their best to

Celebrating Over 100 Years of Best in Boating

w w w . wo o ld ri d geboats.com

25’ Sportster 20’ Alaskan XL 1303 South 96th St. Seattle, WA 98108 (206) 722-8998 36

ALASKA SPORTING JOURNAL

OCTOBER 2018 | aksportingjournal.com

A FISHY IDEA THAT WORKED

A staffer feeds sockeye fry in the indoor raceways at Main Bay Hatchery in Prince William Sound. Prince William Sound Aquaculture Corp. was founded in Cordova, with the ﬁrst hatchery opening in 1974. (PRINCE WILLIAM SOUND AQUACULTURE CORP.)

ALASKA’S SALMON HATCHERIES OFFER SUPPORT FOR FISHING INDUSTRIES BY CASEY CAMPBELL AND MIKE WELLS

hen the Good Friday earthquake shook Alaska in 1964, the damage wasn’t confined to buildings and homes. In some coastal areas, the land and ocean floor were uplifted dramatically and impacted the productivity of aquatic habitat for decades. For the fishing towns of Cordova and Valdez, the fertile salmon spawning grounds of Prince William Sound all

but dried up. But this wasn’t the end of the story. The people of Cordova created the Prince William Sound Aquaculture Corp. (PWSAC). The nonproﬁt transformed an old cannery at the Port San Juan into a proliﬁc wild salmon hatchery. As the late U.S. Senator Ted Stevens recalled in the 1970s, “In desperation, the community of Cordova banded together to build a

major ﬁsh hatchery, which was one of the greatest community projects I have ever witnessed in Alaska.” Around the same time, the Alaska Legislature introduced the Fisheries Rehabilitation, Enhancement, and Development (FRED) Division within the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, and funding was provided to the department to construct hatchery facilities across

aksportingjournal.com | OCTOBER 2018

ALASKA SPORTING JOURNAL

At the net pen complexes at Cannery Creek, fry are held for eight to 10 weeks for further development before they’re released. (PRINCE WILLIAM SOUND AQUACULTURE CORP.)

support the Valdez economy. The Solomon Gulch Hatchery would later become a consistent producer of early-run pinks as well as coho salmon, extending the common property fishery as well as significantly expanding sportfishing opportunities in Valdez. This also led to the development of the annual Valdez Silver Derby, which has become an economic boon for the community.

FINDING A NICHE

the state and to staff them. Through the 1970s and 1980s, FRED and the Sport Fish Division collaborated on a number of projects statewide to improve opportunities for commercial and sport users. Shortly after opening the hatchery in 1974, PWSAC recorded the largest salmon run of any hatchery in the world. The Alaska seafood industry was once

again working to meet the demands of the global marketplace, as well as support the coastal economies of Prince William Sound. In 1980, Valdez leaders in ﬁsheries and business founded the Valdez Fisheries Development Association Inc. (VFDA) and built the Solomon Gulch Hatchery in Port Valdez in an effort to

Hatcheries are the solution Alaska’s founders intended for us to cultivate decades ago, when fishing politics of the 1970s differed little from the fish wars waged today. Back then, there was still a strong desire to work together. When salmon runs collapsed, a group of individuals representing various user groups joined to find ways to not only save our wild salmon but help them flourish – all while remaining dedicated to the environment and the sustainability of Alaska’s fisheries. Fluctuating fish runs caused by natural cycles offer little stability for Alaska’s salmon users. Fisheries are the

Catch More Fish! • Salmon • Sturgeon • Bass • Walleye • Steelhead • Shad

FISH WITH ONE OF THE TOP COLUMBIA RIVER GUIDES Rates from $150 to $175 full day trip • Our new 26ft covered boats can accomodate groups of 1 person to 18 people. BOOK NOW FOR BEST DATES! Keeper Sturgeon, Trophy Walleye and Salmon trips

www.midcolumbiariver.com • Elmer Hill / (541) 969-2537 40

ALASKA SPORTING JOURNAL

OCTOBER 2018 | aksportingjournal.com

THE PERFECT DESTINATION FOR YOUR ALASKAN ADVENTURE

WELCOME TO THE YAKUTAT LODGE One of Alaskaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s finest world-class fishing destinations, we offer affordable vacations where you can tailor a trip to your â&#x20AC;&#x153;taste and budget.â&#x20AC;? Easy access, with daily jet service right to the lodge door, river and ocean guides, a full-service restaurant and cocktail lounge, and comfortable yet rustic to downright fancy lodging accommodations in rooms or cabins, at our airport facility, or on the bay. We also have a tackle shop, gift shop, and sell Âż VKLQJ OLFHQVHV DV ZHOO DV DUUDQJH YHKLFOH rentals. Let our staff welcome you home, and our professional and experienced guides and captains â&#x20AC;&#x153;Share Alaska with you!â&#x20AC;? THIS IS WORLD-CLASS FISHING, AS GOOD AS IT GETS!

1-800-925-8828 yakutatlodge.com

second-largest contributor to Alaska’s economy after oil and gas, and history has found hatcheries provide reliable and sustainable salmon returns for all users. Whether your favorite means of fishing is sport, subsistence, personal use, or you depend on commercial fishing for your livelihood, hatchery-raised salmon have likely benefited you and your family. Recently, hatcheries have also divided those who depend on salmon across our state. While some concerns should be addressed and in many cases are, this is diverting our focus from finding new

solutions to promote sustainable ﬁsheries enhancement in Alaska.

A BOOMING INDUSTRY Today, Alaska’s economy is thriving due to the foresight of many before us, and today many users depend on our ﬁsheries enhancement programs. Hatcheries generate hundreds of millions of dollars in annual economic output, from commercial, sport and subsistence ﬁshing revenue. The hatchery program is a solution endowed to us by early Alaskans to meet the challenges of Alaska’s seafood

industries and sustainably provide for the world’s strong demand for Alaskan wild salmon. We should be working together to continuously improve our program as we learn more about the natural environment and human interactions with it. Currently, there are many research projects related to Alaska salmon. One major research project, the Wild Hatchery Interaction Study, is conducted by ADFG and studies the genetics, scope of straying hatchery-raised salmon, and the population ﬁtness of interacting hatchery and wild salmon. This project

Getting in some research work from a Prince William Sound skiff at Cannery Creek. (PRINCE WILLIAM SOUND AQUACULTURE CORP.) 42

ALASKA SPORTING JOURNAL

OCTOBER 2018 | aksportingjournal.com

Custom Boat Trailers Reliable Quality Service & Craftsmanship For Over 50 Years!

Â&#x2021; 100$ &HUWLÃ&#x20AC; HG Â&#x2021; $OO 6WHHO :HOG )UDPH )HQGHUV %XQNV â&#x20AC;¢ 2 YEAR WARRANTY

343 Thain Rd., Lewiston, Idaho â&#x20AC;¢ www.gateway-materials.com â&#x20AC;¢ 208-743-0720 aksportingjournal.com | OCTOBER 2018

ALASKA SPORTING JOURNAL

“Research has found that hatcheries present a rare opportunity to supplement our natural resources while limiting impacts to the environment that supports our ﬁsheries,” authors Casey Campbell and Mike Wells write. “It is clear that the demand for Alaska’s wild salmon by all users is greater than what the natural environment can support.”

the environment continues to change. Innovation and determination are the lifeblood of Alaska, as was etched in history by hardy Alaskans like those survivors of the 1964 earthquake. Thanks to them – along with Ted Stevens and other visionary leaders in Alaska’s fisheries – the state’s hatcheries play a vital role in ensuring the promise to future generations that they, too, can enjoy and benefit from healthy salmon stocks. To fulfill that promise, we must work together and rely on sound science. So grab your pole, grab your net, and help us carry on a tradition older than Alaska itself. ASJ

(PRINCE WILLIAM SOUND AQUACULTURE CORP.)

was developed to better help understand our salmon ecosystem in a way not possible before. Results of this study will chart a new path for Alaska salmon, plus the Alaska hatchery program. Research has found that hatcheries present a rare opportunity to supplement our natural resources while limiting impacts to the environment that supports our ﬁsheries. One of the big-

gest challenges facing Alaska’s salmon resource is that we love it too much.

A VISION FULFILLED It is clear that the demand for Alaska’s wild salmon by all users is greater than what the natural environment can support. New solutions and research will be needed to determine how to sustain these runs as demand continues to increase and

Editor’s note: Mike Wells was born and raised in Valdez, Alaska and has served in various roles in commercial fisheries, oil spill response, and the Valdez Fisheries Development Association throughout his career. Casey Campbell was born and raised in Alaska, and has been involved in Alaska fisheries as a commercial and sport fisherman for over 25 years ranging from Southeast to Southcentral Alaska. Learn more about salmon hatcheries statewide at salmonhatcheriesforak.org.

@GD;GE: K E9JAF= Specializing in Outboard Jets

$14,900

$22,500

• 115 ELPT Jet . . . . . . . . . . • 8hp Hi-Thrust ELPT . . . . . . . • 9.9 Hi-Thrust EL . . . . . . . . • 25hp M Tiller . . . . . . . . .

. . . .

$5,950 $2,450 $1,650 $2,850

REPAIR / REPLACE

• ‘05 50hp EL Tiller . . . . . • 50hp ELPT 4-Stroke . . . . • 8hp 4 Stroke Long . . . . . • 15hp Long 2 Stroke . . . . . • 115hp Long 2 Stroke Jet . . • 6hp Short . . . . . . . . . • 8hp ML 4-Stroke Kicker . .

. . . . . . .

$4,950 $6,950 $1,450 $1,450 $5,950 $950 $2,250

• 15hp Long P Trim . . . . • 8hp Short . . . . . . . . • 10hp Short . . . . . . . • 10hp Long . . . . . . . . • 8hp Long . . . . . . . .

. . . . .

$2,850 $1,850 $1,450 $1,450 $1,450

J=HGO=J=< L9C= GML EGLGJK MOST MODELS ON HAND

ON THE COWLITZ RIVER NEAR BLUE CREEK 1307 Spencer Rd, Toledo, WA 98591 (360) 864-6406

ALASKA SPORTING JOURNAL

holcombmarine@msn.com www.holcombmarine.com

OCTOBER 2018 | aksportingjournal.com

ANCHORAGE Anchorage Yamaha Suzuki Marine 3919 Spenard Rd (907) 243-8343 www.anchorageyamaha.com FAIRBANKS Northern Power Sports 1980 Van Horn Rd (907) 452-2762 www.northernpowersports.com

REPOWER FINANCE Six Years of Protection at no extra charge on all new outboards 25 to 350 HP.

Instant Savings of up to $800 on select models. See your dealer for details.

Rates as low as 5.99% on new Suzuki outboards on approved credit.*

For a limited time, get Suzuki Extended Protection, Instant Savings and attractive financing on select Suzuki outboards from 25 to 350 horspower. See your participating Suzuki Marine dealer for details or visit www.suzukimarine.com.

Gimme Six Extended Protection promo is applicable to new Suzuki Outboard Motors from 25 to 350 HP in inventory which are sold and delivered to buyer between 07/01/18 and 09/30/18 in accordance with the promotion by a Participating Authorized Suzuki Marine dealer in the continental US and Alaska to a purchasing customer who resides in the continental US or Alaska. Customer should expect to receive an acknowledgement letter and full copy of contract including terms, conditions and wallet card from Suzuki Extended Protection within 90 days of purchase. If an acknowledgement letter is not received in time period stated, contact Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. – Marine Marketing via email: marinepromo@suz.com. The Gimme Six Promotion is available for pleasure use only, and is not redeemable for cash. Instant Savings apply to qualifying purchases of select Suzuki Outboard Motors made between 07/01/18 and 09/30/18. For list of designated models, see participating Dealer or visit www.suzukimarine.com. Instant Savings must be applied against the agreed-upon selling price of the outboard motor and reflected in the bill of sale. (Suzuki will, in turn, credit Dealer’s parts account.) There are no model substitutions, benefit substitutions, rain checks, or extensions. Suzuki reserves the right to change or cancel these promotions at any time without notice or obligation. * Financing offers available through Synchrony Retail Finance. As low as 5.99% APR financing for 60 months on new and unregistered Suzuki Outboard Motors. Subject to credit approval. Not all buyers will qualify. Approval, and any rates and terms provided, are based on credit worthiness. $19.99/month per $1,000 financed for 60 months is based on 5.99% APR. Hypothetical figures used in calculation; your actual monthly payment may differ based on financing terms, credit tier qualification, accessories or other factors such as down payment and fees. Offer effective on new, unregistered Suzuki Outboard Motors purchased from a participating authorized Suzuki dealer between 07/01/18 and 09/30/18. “Gimme Six”, the Suzuki “S” and model names are Suzuki trademarks or ®. Don’t drink and drive. Always wear a USCG-approved life jacket and read your owner’s manual. © 2018 Suzuki Motor of America, Inc.

aksportingjournal.com | OCTOBER 2018

ALASKA SPORTING JOURNAL

OCTOBER 2018 | aksportingjournal.com

OUTDOOR CALENDAR

800– 0 9887– 7–72 7211 11 ww www. w.ea eagl gles eswi es wing ngsa saalaask ska. a.co com m

• Affordable full service lodge on remote island in SE Alaska • Authentic Alaskan wilderness experience • Option: Have the entire lodge, facilities, and staff to yourself if you bring a group of 8! • 4 full days of guided and self-guided world class salmon, halibut, rockﬁsh, and freshwater ﬁshing at the most affordable price • USCG licensed captains and ADFG registered guides

Ashley Camp of Vancouver, British Columbia, poses with her 221.4-pounder that won the Homer Jackpot Halibut Derby. Camp won a $5,000 cash prize plus a bonus as part of every ticket sold. (HOMER CHAMBER OF COMMERCE)

15 20 21 23 25

Goat season opens in Game Management Unit 1C (Southeast Mainland) Brown bear season opens in GMU 10 (Unimak Island) Bison season opens in GMU 20 (Fairbanks-Central Tanana) Deer season opens in GMU 3 (Petersburg-Wrangell) Youth deer season opens in GMU 5 (Yakutat) Anterless moose season opens in GMU 15 (Kenai) Second resident caribou season opens in GMU 13 (Nelchina-Upper Susitna) Elk season opens in GMU 8 (Kodiak-Shelikof) Fall brown bear season opens in GMU 8 Moose season opens in GMU 14C (Ship Creek drainage above Joint Base Elmendorf/Richardson Management Area)

Editor’s note: For more speciﬁc regulations, check out the Alaska Department of Fish and Game’s hunting regulations handbook. Download it at adfg.alaska.gov. aksportingjournal.com | OCTOBER 2018

ALASKA SPORTING JOURNAL

HANDMADE // LIFETIME WARRANTY // LIGHTWEIGHT // AFFORDABLE // FAMILY-OWNED ED COMPANY // ADJUSTABLE CANTS // KYDEX CONCEALED HOLSTERS //

5417 JACKWOOD DR. • SAN ANTONIO, TX 78238 OFFICE: 210-362-1549 • WWW.ONYOUR6DESIGNS.COM

American Precision Arms

GEN 2 FAT BASTARD MUZZLE BRAKE The Gen 2 Series of brakes started where the Gen 1 left off. We came up with a solution for the shooter that has been a game changer. The Gen 2 has a nut that is a separate piece. This allows our customers to install the brake themselves at home. Installations takes about 30 seconds and has no hideous crush washers or peel washers to deal with. Additionally competitive shooters can easily remove this brake for cleaning or simply to move if from barrel to barrel. Competitors can burn through 6 barrels or more in a season at times. This means less money spent on gear and with your smith. To the gunsmith it means no hassle indexing a brake. Simply thread to spec. and go.

The most popular brake in long range competition!

www.americanprecisionarms.com

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE

CUSTOM METAL PRODUCTS The new Reactive Vitals Series of AR500 Steel Targets feature distinctive animal shapes (deer, coyote, more), each with a reactive flapper. Hit the vitals and the flapper flips up and closes, ready for the next shot! Targets are rated for pistol at 155 yards or rifle at 100 yards minimum. »» WWW.CUSTOMMETALPROD.COM

CDNN Outers’ 51 Piece Gunsmithing Screwdriver Kit is great for gunsmithing, installing sights or scopes, or everyday use around the home. It includes a molded driver with magnetic tip, 15 flathead bits, 10 hex bits (inch), nine hex bits (metric), four Phillips bits, nine torx bits, two extra-long Phillips bits and one hex-to-square adapter. You get all of this for only $9.99. »» WWW.CDNNSPORTS.COM

BRADLEY SMOKER Add a little intelligence to your culinary war chest this year. The Bradley Smart smoker is capable of monitoring your food’s temperature and notifying you when things are done, or needing attention. »» WWW.BRADLEYSMOKER.COM

EZR SPORT We have new gauntlets for the single-stack magazine pistols, the Smith & Wesson M&P Shield and the Glock model 43. Our gauntlets are designed speciﬁcally to increase the grip circumference so that the pistol ﬁts better in your hand, making it much easier to control. Our gauntlets make concealed carry more comfortable by eliminating the rough surface ace oof the original grip, but still giving you better control of your ur gun. un. »» WWW.EZRSPORT.COM

R&S PRECISION The Boyds At-One Adjustable Stock is a laminated stock that you can adjust quickly to adapt to any shooter. This new technology allows the change of the stock’s length-of-pull and cheek height with a simple push of a button. These stocks are available in a variety of colors for several different riﬂes. »» WWW.1022RACERIFLE.COM WWW.10-22RACERIFLE.COM

ALASKA FUR EXCHANGE Alaska Fur Exchange offers a full store of truly Alaskan gifts. It’s where Alaskans shop for that special gift. Many items are on sale right now as we get ready for the Christmas season. Stop by or call (907) 563-3877 and ask about the awesome restored mammoth tusks we have for sale. A »» WWW.ALASKAFUREXCHANGE.COM

LAYKE TACTICAL Made to .308 bullet specs, the six-piece Bullet Puzzle stores away in an oversized revolver cylinder, both made from billet aluminum and protected by a hard anodized coating. It’s a great stocking stuffer for any gun lover on your list. »» WWW.LAYKETACTICAL.COM

HOLIDAY

GIFT GUIDE

HOLIDAY

GIFT GUIDE

NOWLIN ARMS Choose the 1911 pistol barrels preferred by champion shooters! We have a proven reputation with over eight world championships and 22 national titles! Visit us online for a complete list of barrels, parts and accessories to upgrade your 1911. »» WWW.NOWLINARMS.COM

AMERICAN A PRECISION ARMS The Answer Tunable ble Muzzle Brak Brake is speciﬁcally designed for competitive shooters with one goal in mind – winning! With 12 months of research and development behind us, we are bringing the shooting community the most effective muzzle brake the AR-15 platform shooter has ever seen. $169 »» WWW.AMERICANPRECISIONARMS.COM

DIP INC. New! Aluminum Replacement Trigger Guard for Howa MiniAction riﬂes! Gone are the broken action screw tabs. Direct replacement for the plastic factory trigger guard/mag well. We redesigned the magazine catch spring perch location to add a noticeable amount of tension to helpp pprevent accidental magazine drops. g p WWW.DIPRODUCTSINC.COM »» WWW W .DIPRODUCTSINC.COM DIPRODUCTSINC COM M

ROCKY MOUNTAIN ELK RANCH Make those Christmas dreams come true with the perfect gift – an all-inclusive three-day trophy elk hunt on our private ranch in southeast Idaho near Jackson, Wyoming, and Yellowstone National Park. Nonhunting guests stay free! Hunts are 100-percent guaranteed and don’t require out-of-state license or tags. »» WWW.ROCKYMOUNTAINELKRANCH.COM

ELLIS CANVAS TENTS The Shackleton Tent comes in 14x14, 11x11, and 8x8. You will be surprised to see how simple this tent is, only relying on three poles. The carefully designed shape allows it to stretch out to a spacious tensioned structure. It does need to spiked in eight directions, so you will need good staking points and then you are good to go. »» WWW.ELLISCANVASTENTS.COM

DETROIT AMMO From subsonic .223 to .50 BMG, we are your source for custom ammunition from American manufacturers. Stop by to take a look around and make your purchase with conﬁdence. »» WWW.DETROITAMMOCO.COM

VANCE’S TACKLE LEELOCK ANCHOR SYSTEMS The LeeLock Magnum Skeg drastically improves performance and straight-line travel of bow-mounted electric trolling motors. This oversized skeg is made of anodized 5052 aluminum, is 9 inches high by 11 inches wide and 3/16 inch thick, and comes with stainless-steel hose clamps. It ﬁts most Minn Kota and Motorguide motors. »» WWW.LEELOCK.COM

Vance’s Tackle Rods are designed speciﬁcally for trolling. Starting on top, each guide rotates a small amount so that the tip guide is facing down. This prevents torque, line rub, and hooking the last guide upon downrigger release. Built from highly parabolic E-glass, they’re the perfect rods for downrigger ﬁshing! »» WWW.VANCESTACKLE.COM

aksportingjournal.com | MAY 2017

ALASKA SPORTING JOURNAL

HOLIDAY

GIFT GUIDE

BEST OF KENAI PENINSULA

COOPER LANDING • HOMER • HOPE • KASILOF • KENAI • SEWARD • SOLDOTNA

Located near the town of Sterling, Alaska and one mile away from the Kenai River, the most popular p p sport p ﬁshing in Alaska for King and Cohoo salm Coh s almon on. Welcome to your “home away from home” destination in one of the most beautiful locations in the world. Our loddge includ l des four bedrooms, b d s, each with its own ensuite bathroom and ample common areas areas.

A short 5 minute drive to Kenai Beach, the Kenai Alaska hotel is across the street from Kenai Municipal Airport and less than a mile from the Kenai River.

Rooms include: • Free Wi-Fi • Flat-screen TV with premium cable channels • In room Coffee maker • Free toiletries and an en suite bathroom with a hairdryer

(907) 283-1577 www.kenaiairporthotels.com

HISTORICAL AL SU UITES

KING SALMON, COHO, TROUT FISHING TRIPS for groups of 2, 3,, 4 or more

A daily continental breakfast is served to guests. Onsite guest laundry machines available. The Kenai Recreation Center is a 10 minute walk away. And the Kenai Visitors & Cultural Center is a 5 minute drive away.

OUR MISSION is to provide seasoned anglers and novices with the best possible Alaska fishing trip! www.alaskafishcatcher.net Fish@alaskafishcatcher.net

907-290-9097

“Ou ur bestt park so far in Alasska, the choice of treed areas or open gravel areaas. Th Thee staff were extremely helpful and thhe facilities extremely clean.”

RV R V PARK & CABINS

Cabins Suites Charters Cruises Tours AWA AW ARDE AR A DE ED “Ou “O uttsttan nd diing ng Bu ussiin nes ess in in Tou o rism riism” m” 500--aamp mp Ele lect ctri triic F Fu ull ll Hoo ook-up ookk-up ps Sup Su peers rsiizze & Pu Pull ll-Th Thro Th rou ro ugh ug gh Sit Sites Si tes te Cent Ce ntraall ntra lly lo lly loca cate ate ted d on the he Kena Ke nai P Peeni nin nssul ula

907-283-9424 • www.diamondmranchresort.com d h 56

48500 Diamond M Ranch Road Kenai, Alaska 99611

ALASKA SPORTING JOURNAL

APRIL 2018 | aksportingjournal.com

KENAI PENINSULA 2

KENAI SOLDOTNA

COOPER LANDING

7 5

SOLDOTNA

SEWARD 9

HOMER HOMER

11 12 1

KEY 1.

Alaska Adventure Cabins www.alaskaadventurecabins.com 2. Alaska Division Of Forestry www.forestry.alaska.gov 3. Alaska Canoe & Campground www.alaskacanoetrips.com 4. Alaska’s Fish Catcher www.alaskaﬁshcatcher.com 5. Diamond M Ranch Resort www.diamondmranchresort.com 6. The Fish House www.theﬁshhouse.net 7. Kenai Airport Hotel www.kenaiairporthotels.com 8. Kenai Peninsula Suites www.kenaipeninsulasuites.com 9. Kenai River Suites www.kenairiversuites.com 10. King Salmondeaux Lodge www.kingsalmondeauxlodge.com 11. Nomar www.nomaralaska.com 12. Spy Glass Inn www.homerspyglassinn.com

Located in the Heart of Soldotna,, Alaska on the World Famous Kenai River! • Kenai Riverfront Cabins • Bank Fishing • Over 700 ft. of River Frontage

907-260-FISH (3474) kingsalmondeaux33126@gmail.com www.kingsalmondeauxlodge.com

*Kenai Riverfront Suites *Full kitchens, 2 bedrooms *Jacuzzi Suite *Private River access for Fishing *Open year round kenairiversuites@gmail.com

www.kenairiversuites.com | (907)262-1992

Alaska Division of Forestry

Don’t let your campﬁre turn into a wildﬁre.

You are responsible and accountable for any ﬁre you start.

www.forestry.alaska.gov aksportingjournal.com | OCTOBER 2018

ALASKA SPORTING JOURNAL

LIGHTWEIGHT. The lightest 200-hp four stroke on the market

POWERFUL.

2.8L displacement and Variable Camshaft Timing give it the best power-to-weight ratio of any 200-hp four stroke

COMPACT.

Nearly 120 pounds lighter than our four-stroke V6 F200

THE ALL-NEW F200 IN-LINE FOUR.

FORWARD THINKING.

Show the water who’s boss with the new F200 In-Line Four. Incredibly light, responsive and fuel efficient, it serves up plenty of muscle to handily propel a variety of boats. On top of that, its 50-amp alternator offers the power to add a range of electronics, and its 26-inch mounting centers and compatibility with either mechanical or digital controls give you the flexibility to easily upgrade your outboard or rigging. Experience legendary Yamaha reliability and the freedom of forward thinking, with the all-new F200 In-Line Four. ALASKA

WASHINGTON

ANCHORAGE Alaska Mining & Diving Supply 3222 Commericial Dr. (907) 277-1741 www.akmining.com

HOMER Lower Peninsula Power Sports 61284 East End Rd. (907) 235-6341 www.lppowersports.com

KETCHIKAN The Bay Company 636 Stedman Street (907) 225-3342 www.baycompany.com

CRAIG The Bay Company 1250 Hill Top Drive (907) 826-3341 www.baycompany.com

KETCHIKAN Alaska Outboard 1405 Tongass Ave. (907) 225-4980

WRANGELL The Bay Company 431 Front Street (907) 874-3340 www.baycompany.com

YamahaOutboards.com/F200InLine

Follow Yamaha on Facebook® and Twitter™

REMEMBER to always observe all applicable boating laws. Never drink and drive. Dress properly with a USCG-approved personal intended to be an endorsement. © 2013 Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A. All rights reserved.

ALASKA SPORTING JOURNAL

OCTOBER 2018 | aksportingjournal.com

OLYMPIA US Marine Sales & Service 3525 Paciﬁc Ave. SE (360) 455-0788 www.usmarinesales.com

BEST OF KENAI PENINSULA

COOPER LANDING • HOMER • HOPE • KASILOF • KENAI • SEWARD • SOLDOTNA

Join your host, Pat, for a pleasant stay LQ RQH RI WKH ¿ QHVW %HG %UHDNIDVWV LQ Homer, AK

385 East Fairview, Homer, Alaska 99603 907.399.6075 | spyglassinn@gmail.com www.homerspyglassinn.com

GET PLUGGED IN OCTOBER IS A PRIME

MONTH TO BREAK OUT PLUGS FOR KENAI, OTHER RIVERS' COHO BY SCOTT HAUGEN

t’s October and there’s a lot going on in Alaska. And one of my favorite things to do this time of year is to go after fat, hard-fighting silver salmon. There are many ways to catch coho, but one of my favorite approaches is casting plugs. When talk of plug fishing for coho comes up, most minds turn to backtrolling from a boat. While back-trolling flatlined plugs for coho works well, casting can be even better, especially in Alaska’s many smaller rivers and streams.

A WILY TARGET Because coho occupy such a variety of water types, they can be challenging to ﬁsh for late in the season. While coho travel through fast-ﬂowing water, they routinely hold in slack water. Coho are notorious for staging in the mouths of rivers and small streams, even in lakes and sloughs where the current is virtually nonexistent. Some of these slack holding waters may be only a few feet deep, and some more than 30 feet deep. Coho will also hold on the inside corner of river bends. Some of this water can

This Th T his is b big ig ccoho ig oho oh ho co ccouldn’t oul uldn ldn dn’t ’tt rresist esiis es ist a sa ssardine-wrapped ard din inee wr wrap ppe p d 4 5 Mag 4. 4.5 Mag Li Lip, ip p,, o one nee o off ne n nearly ear arlyy 2 20 0 sa ssalmon salm alm lmon on llanded on and an ded ded de during duri du ring ing g an an afternoon afte af tern te rnoo rn oo on on tthe he rriver. ivver er. (SCOTT (SCOT (S COTT T HAUGEN) HAUG A EN) EN)

also be very shallow, meaning plugs may not be the best option. But if there’s any depth to these inside corners, especially in the form of ledges where coho might stack up, then tossing plugs can be highly effective. Even if it’s 3 feet deep, a plug can be worked slowly. If casting from a boat, try getting the plug near shore, well beyond where the fish are holding. By the time the plug reaches its fishing depth – achieved by reeling, since most plugs float – you want

to be in the strike zone. Casting into shallow water and retrieving to deeper water is not always the best option because if coho are gathered tight to shore, the plug may pass over them before reaching the desired depth. One of the best places to cast a plug is from a boat over deep, slow-moving water. This allows you to cover prime water, and in deeper sections, coho are more receptive to traveling long distances to attack. If coho are tucked tight to shore, then

aksportingjournal.com | OCTOBER 2018

ALASKA SPORTING JOURNAL

FIELD

Holding a Halloween party? Tiffany Haugen likes to combine wild game with a tomato sauce concoction to create a scary yet hearty treat. (TIFFANY HAUGEN)

A SUREFIRE WILD GAME TREAT BY TIFFANY HAUGEN

appy Halloween! Just about any wild game can be ground and added to a ﬂavorful tomato sauce, providing an easy meal to feed a few or a crowd. Holding a costume party? Why not impress and scare guests at the same time? It’s easy to keep the ﬁlling warm and put these sandwiches together all evening long. This recipe doubles or triples well to feed a crowd, and if by chance you have any, leftovers freeze well. 2 tablespoons olive oil 1½ pounds ground wild game 1 cup diced onion 1 cup diced red bell pepper 4 cloves diced garlic 1 6-ounce can tomato paste ¼ cup water 2 tablespoons brown sugar

ALASKA SPORTING JOURNAL

2 tablespoons red wine vinegar 1 tablespoon yellow mustard 2 teaspoons chili powder ½ teaspoon salt Six pitas Three slices white cheese (American, Muenster, provolone or Swiss) 12 pimento stuffed green olives Toothpicks

cheese; you want at least ﬁve “teeth” for each pita. Place toothpicks through olives, which will be the “eyes." Warm pitas 10 to 15 seconds in a dry skillet or microwave, if desired. Place a scoop of sloppy Joe mixture on one half of each pita. Fold pita over, place cheese along the top fold of the pita and secure the olives on top of the pita.

In a large skillet or Dutch oven, heat olive oil on medium-high heat. Sauté onion and bell pepper until soft – about five minutes. Add ground venison and sauté until browned – about five minutes. Add garlic and tomato paste, stirring constantly for five minutes. Add water, brown sugar, vinegar, mustard, chili powder and salt. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium-low and simmer an additional 10 minutes. Cut several triangles out of the

Editor’s note: For signed copies of Tiffany’s popular Cooking Big Game book, send a check for $20 (free S&H) to Haugen Enterprises, P.O. Box 275, Walterville, OR 97489, or visit tiffanyhaugen.com for this and many of her other cookbooks. Tiffany is a full-time author and part of the Cook With Cabela’s online series. Also watch for her on The Sporting Chef.

OCTOBER 2018 | aksportingjournal.com

6ZLQJ IRU NLQJV ZLWK XV

NEW tent camp located on the world famous Nushagak River, premium location in tidewater for chrome kings, “glamping” at LWV ¿QHVW

Please inquire about access to our main tent lodge on the Alagnak River for even more options from our home base, in its 26th season. June 19 – July 7

6 guests max with durations of 3-7 days Access to our main lodge location and world class Alagnak River via a 20 minute float plane ride In addition to the best king salmon run, we have the some of the finest trout and grayling fishing available We specialize in fly fishing for kings as well as utilizing conventional tackle

www.AnglersAlibi.com | John@AnglersAlibi.com | 561.222.9416

the best approach is casting from the bank. Be sure to cast beyond the ﬁsh and reel just fast enough to get the plug within a few inches of the bottom, without getting hung up in the rocks.

BE PLUGGED IN My favorite all-around plug for casting for coho is the Mag Lip 4.5. The 3.5 size also works well, and the 3.0 is great for casting in smaller, clear coastal streams. Wrap the Mag Lip with herring, sardine or anchovy – adding more scent – and the presentation gets even better. While fishing the Kenai River in late fall with well-known local guide Mike Fenton (fentonbrosfishing.com), he introduced me to just how effective wrapped plugs can be when targeting coho. “These coho love scents, just like the kings do,” Fenton pointed out. “But the key to a good casting wrap is making sure the fillet stays in place through all the casting and retrieving.” He puts multiple wraps on a plug with his bulk thread spool. The 4.5 Mag Lip is also Mike’s favorite casting plug. Coho are tenacious, so this is not too big of a plug by any means. In fact, I like the larger size because it offers more flash and movement. It can carry more scent in the form or a wrap, and the rattles send out agitating

sounds that coho love this time of year.

WATCH YOUR SPEED When fishing a plug, control the depth through the speed you reel. For this, a spinning reel along the lines of a Shimano Symetre 4000 that’s spooled with P-Line’s 12-pound CXX X-Tra Strong works great. A large-capacity reel allows for heavier pound test, which is important when controlling fish in shallow water where fish can run great distances. Put this set-up on a G.Loomis STR116325, a fast-action 9-foot, 8-inch rod with a 6-12-pound-test rating. It’s capable of working ⅜- to 1½-ounce lures, or something similar. Then simply tie your plug directly to the mainline via duolock snap swivel and get to fishing. This October, try casting plugs for coho. You’ll be impressed with how effective it can be and how hard these fish fight. My best day of casting plugs for coho came on Halloween, a day I’ll never forget. ASJ Editor’s note: Signed copies of Scott Haugen's popular Bank Fishing For Salmon & Steelhead book can be obtained by sending a check for $15 to Haugen Enterprises, P.O. Box 275, Walterville, OR 97489 or from scotthaugen.com.

Mike Fenton battles a Kenai coho. Fenton, a longtime guide in the area, ranks late October among the best time to be on this famed river. (SCOTT HAUGEN) 64

ALASKA SPORTING JOURNAL

OCTOBER 2018 | aksportingjournal.com

aksportingjournal.com | OCTOBER 2018

ALASKA SPORTING JOURNAL

WHERE THE TROPHIES ARE FEW FISHERIES CHURN OUT MORE BIG ARCTIC GRAYLING THAN THE DELTA CLEARWATER RIVER

BY MIKE LUNDE

merging in the flats below the Granite Mountains between Delta Junction and Tok is a stream as clear as top-shelf gin. This crystal-clear, spring-fed river flows for 17 twisting miles before it joins the glacially silted Tanana River. As it meanders through subalpine forests composed of white spruce and black birch in a series of riffle-pool sequences, the occasional longer cobble or sandy-bottomed runs provide temporary but dangerous quarters for mayflies. The longer they tarry, the more likely it becomes that a hungry 18-plusinch Arctic grayling will swim their way.

A GRAYLING BONANZA The Delta Clearwater River is recognized as one of the top grayling fisheries in Alaska, and it’s home to fish that are well above average compared to other roadside and even remote fisheries. Fisheries biologists for the Alaska Department of Fish and Game estimate the average size of these grayling is around 14 to 15 inches, with fish in the 18- to 20-inch range definitely possible. Some even bigger ones – to 21 and 22 inches – might even bite. ADFG considers an 18-incher as 66

ALASKA SPORTING JOURNAL

meeting the minimum standard for a trophy grayling. Although Alaska’s top fisheries for the species are typically in out-of-reach systems, places like Nome and Ugashik Narrows – where the original state record was guided by Fred Cicco, a former state biologist – the Delta Clearwater is one of the best accessible via the road system. The abundance of mayfly hatches over the course of the open-water season is the likely contributing factor to how productive and good the fishing can be here. Fishery managers at ADFG’s Delta Junction office implemented a slot limit for the river and all fish over 12 inches have to be immediately released, which protects the larger, slower growing fish, yet still allows anglers an opportunity to harvest smaller fish for the frying pan. Fresh grayling makes for delicious table fare. Popular recipes include broiling them with butter or margarine or wrapping them with thick-cut cherrywood or honey-smoked bacon.

MAYFLY HATCHES Grayling often exhibit foraging behavior that is similar to trout in Lower 48 river systems, with aquatic and terrestrial

OCTOBER 2018 | aksportingjournal.com

The Th he Delta Delt Delt De ltaa Clearwater Clea Cl earw rwat ater ter er R River, ivver er, a tw ttwo-hour woo-ho our u d drive r ve ffrom ri r m Fa ro Fairbanks air irba bank nks ks an and d five fiv ve hours hour ho urss from ur frrom m Anchorage, Anc ncho horaage hora ho ge, offers off off ffer e s quantity er quan qu a ti an tity ty and and d quality qua ualilility t fishing ty fish shin in ng for for A Ar Arctic ctic ct icc grayling graayl y in ng for fo or Interior In nte teri rior ri or aanglers. or ng gle lers rs. rs s. (MI ((MIKE MI M KE K LUNDE) LUN LU UN NDE) DE) aksportingjournal.com | OCTOBER 2018

ALASKA SPORTING JOURNAL

invertebrates being the dominant prey preferred to other available options. While stoneflies and caddisflies are common aquatic insects that Arctic grayling consume throughout Alaska, it is the mayflies that dominate the food web of the Delta Clearwater. According to Reinhard Neuhaser, guide and owner of Alaska Fishing and Rafting Adventures (800-819-0737; akrivertours.com), the timing of the mayfly hatch varies day to day with environmental conditions such as photoperiod, air temperature and barometric pressure or wind speed predetermining when it comes off. On average, the mayfly hatch starts around noon, but it can be delayed until 1 p.m. or later, depending on the aforementioned environmental factors. It typically lasts from three to four hours, but in some scenarios it can last until the early evening. The hatch starts as early as middle to late May and runs into October, when the water can be bone-chilling and thick with fall-run silvers. Common mayfly species that hatch on the Delta Clearwater include baetids,

ephemerellids and heptagenids. Most exhibit the light bluish dun or shades of olive for their morphology. It is typically during this hatch that Clearwater grayling jump frequently. Since the fish are so highly dependent on mayflies, it is important to match the hatch. Before mayfly hatches come off, traditional dry fly patterns such as Elk-hair Caddis, Stimulators, Griffith Gnats and Mosquitoes in sizes 12 through 16 work effectively. Under slow conditions when these typical patterns don’t produce results, try nymphing with a long tapered fluorocarbon leader.

TACTICS, TECHNIQUES AND PRESENTATION Given the high degree of water clarity, the use of indicators is somewhat optional but it is recommended to use short-line techniques and your hand to feel for feel strikes. Adding weight in the form of size BB to 3/0 split shots assists tremendously in getting either weighted or unweighted nymphs within close proximity to or right on the bottom. Maintaining a tight line is necessary for

Summer is the best time to plan a trip to catch grayling on the Delta Clearwater River, which ﬂows 20 miles in a spectacular setting. (MIKE LUNDE)

ALASKA SPORTING JOURNAL

OCTOBER 2018 | aksportingjournal.com

detecting light bites. Compared to other grayling systems in Alaska, heavier fly rods are required to combat the windier conditions associated with the area, where a calm day can transition into a not-so-calm one as alpine winds from the Delta Mountains sweep into the vast valley. While rods in the 1- to 3-weight category are superior for grayling in smaller stream channels of headwater systems, they can be very undergunned for dealing with the subalpine breezes here. Those in the 5- to 6-weight category are fairly adequate in these scenarios. Match a fast- or moderate fast-action fly rod to a lightweight large arbor reel to assist with counterbalancing the rod appropriately. Reels should be spooled with 12- to 20-pound Dacron flyline backing and nail-knotted or Albrighted to the floating flyline of choice. My personal recommendation is a standard weight-forward (WF) flyline or in some circumstances “uplining” the flyline one weight heavier than the rod being used. For example, uplining a 4-weight means a 5-weight WF fly line

OFF ROAD WITH THE NEW ROXOR

Automaker Mahindra just unveiled a new off-road vehicle called the Roxor, and it not only looks like an original Willys Jeep, but it’s also got the hardware (and the history) to back it up. Better yet: It’s for sale in America and it is built right in Detroit. Unlike many other side-by-sides, the Roxor will feature a very CJ-7-ish steel body mounted on a steel frame. The powertrain will be the ultimate off-roader’s dream: a turbo-diesel four-cylinder motor and ﬁve-speed manual – an automatic option will also be available – mounted to a low-range transfer case. The 2.5-liter diesel produces 62 hp at 3,200 rpm, along with an impressive 144 foot-pounds of torque at 1,400 rpm. The wheelbase is about 3 inches longer than a CJ-7, the overall width is narrower and towing capacity is about 3,490 pounds. Maximum speed is limited to 45 mph; it’s a similar top speed to that of an old Willys CJ-2A. Fuel economy is somewhere around 32 miles per gallon. Starting prices for the two trim packages range from $15,549 to $18,999 (FOB Michigan), according to company representatives. At $250 per month, you’re going to want one of these.

1-800-478-7669 • www.compeaus.com

aksportingjournal.com | OCTOBER 2018

ALASKA SPORTING JOURNAL

Mayﬂies are the most common food source on the river, so it’s wise to go with patterns resembling the proliﬁc insects. (MIKE LUNDE)

is used instead. Advantages of uplining a ﬂy rod include increased power in windier conditions, ability to turn over longer leaders, and longer casts. Sinking lines are unnecessary in your

ALASKA SPORTING JOURNAL

approach for grayling, but sink-tips are excellent for swinging streamers on single-hand rods. A small up-and-coming group of anglers is exploring the beneﬁts of mi-

OCTOBER 2018 | aksportingjournal.com

crospeys. These smaller guns of the spey fishing world allow anglers to cast and skate larger terrestrial hoppers or swing smaller streamers to areas where backcasting room is extremely limited. They’re also for those looking for the ultimate drift for a presentation. An underrated technique is to fish during the autumn silver run up the Delta Clearwater. These fish are destined to spawn in the middle and upper reaches of the system. As escapement numbers substantially increase throughout late September into October, some grayling will switch their foraging behavior to include salmon eggs, a prey item that requires no energy to chase down compared to other possibilities. During silver fishing trips with Alaska Fishing and Raft Adventures, guides such as Lee Squires, Will Samuel and yours truly will often have clients dead-drift 8mm beads in various color combinations on fluorocarbon leader indicator rigs, using either fly fishing or spinning rod set-ups. In some scenarios into late fall, we will have clients swing micro flesh-fly

ALASKA FISHING & RAFT ADVENTURES

ALASKAN WILDERNESS FLOAT TRIPS! We are Interior Alaska’s prime year-round summer and winter fishing and wilderness adventure guide service! We specialize in small group and private first-class guided fly fishing and float fishing trips for Arctic grayling and Interior Alaskan salmon and Northern pike. Rain and shine, snow and ice, we provide fishing guide services in all 12 months of the year. You can choose from our selection and combinations of float fishing trips, wildlife viewing & photography tours, ice fishing, snowmobile, aurora viewing tours, and wilderness dog mushing tours in Fairbanks and the wild Interior and remote Alaskan wilderness! We have the top guides and instructors for fly fishing, spin fishing, ice fishing, and wildlife viewing adventures. We permit and provide access to Fairbanks’ and Interior Alaska’s most beautiful and productive rivers, including the Chena and Chatanika Rivers, Delta Clearwater Creek, as well as numerous local lakes such as Quartz Lake, Birch Lake, Chena Lakes, Fielding Lake, etc. We offer fully outfitted half-, full-day, and overnight camping float and hike-in fishing tours and wilderness viewing tours. Alaska Fishing & Raft Adventures’ programs will take you to fishing grounds off the beaten path and wilderness settings you have always hoped to experience. By providing our guests with the quality equipment and highly personable and experienced resident guides, we have defined ourselves as one of the high-quality operators in the Alaskan outdoor industry. Contact us today and reserve dates for your oncein-a-lifetime fishing adventure!

1-800-819-0737 • www.akrivertours.com

TSFLYCO Interior Alaska Fishing and Hiking Service

Guided Fishing, Rafting, Hiking and more! Trophy Northern Pike on the FLY!!

www.tsflyco.com 360-481-2601 907-378-2764 aksportingjournal.com | OCTOBER 2018

ALASKA SPORTING JOURNAL

patterns on a BB split-shot rig or sinktip connected to the floating fly line. The presentation is suspended in the middle of water column or in close proximity to bottom. A 6½- to 8-foot ultralight to lightpowered spinning rod matched with 4to 6-pound mono or fluorocarbon line is excellent for this technique, given the nature of how clear the water is.

DELTA CLEARWATER RIVER ACCESS There’s minimal shoreline ﬁshing opportunities on the river. What’s available is centered around Delta Clearwater State Campground at mile 11 from Jack Warren Road, which connects to the Richardson Highway about 2 miles outside of Delta Junction. A well-deﬁned hiking trail leads upstream from the boat launch and parallels the shoreline for approximately half a mile to Clearwater Lodge. The trail also continues downstream for a half mile. Bushwhacking is the name of the game after that point if you want to be adventurous.

ALASKA SPORTING JOURNAL

With regulations that require larger grayling to be released, the Delta Clearwater is a good river to try and land a trophy ﬁsh and maybe take home some delicious ﬁllets from smaller ones. (MIKE LUNDE)

OCTOBER 2018 | aksportingjournal.com

aksportingjournal.com | OCTOBER 2018

ALASKA SPORTING JOURNAL

Minimal backcasting room exists along the streambank, so pay close attention to your biomechanics or use roll-casting fundamentals when necessary. A small riffle just upstream of Clearwater Lodge allows anglers to walk across the stream to an inside bend and from there venture downstream or upto explore more trophy grayling habitat. The Delta Clearwater River accommodates nonmotorized vessels very nicely. Kayaks, canoes and pontoons or catarafts allow adventurous grayling fishermen to float downstream to one of two take-out locations. The first take-out is on Clearwater Lake, just upstream from the confluence of the Delta Clearwater and a sidechannel of the Tanana with the mainstem Tanana. Anglers typically row upstream and across the lake to a small boat launch. The second location is an adventurous and breathtaking float through spruce- and birch-enriched shorelines and eventually down the mighty Tanana for 4 miles until the Alyeska Bridge at the Richardson Highway. A maintained boat launch is also available there. Powerboats have endless options to fish the lower sections of the river as well as the upper headwaters. Jet boats are preferred, though props can be used with caution, depending on your boat-driving experience on Alaska rivers. NOT JUST SALMON If you’re looking for fishing opportunities in the Interior for the sailfish of the north, look no further than the gorgeous spring-fed waters of the Delta Clearwater. It’s only a two-hour drive southeast of Fairbanks or five hours from Anchorage. One of the top trophy grayling fisheries in the state, it’s well worth the ticket to admission if you’re tired of fishing for other species or perhaps your freezer is full of salmon and you need an alternative to spike your adrenaline before winter sets in. Scan through that flybox, break out the beads and pay close attention to the underwater world around you to select the right pattern for the Delta Clearwater. An airborne grayling connected to your favorite graphite toy is only seconds away. ASJ 74

ALASKA SPORTING JOURNAL

OCTOBER 2018 | aksportingjournal.com

CALIFORNIA

WASHINGTON

“BEST KEPT SECRET ON THE WEST COAST OF VANCOUVER ISLAND”

2019 Charter All-Inclusive Drive-In Pkg. Special “Bring Your Large Coolers. You Will Need Them When You FISH With US” 4 person Drive-In Fishing/Catching $1600 ea. CA $$ | $1200 ea. US $$ • 4 Nights Lodging • 3 Full days of Guided Fishing / Catching Salmon, Halibut, Ling Cod & MORE • Includes All your meals from our restaurants menu while you are with us. *Limited time offer must be BOOKED by February 18, 2019 *US $$ at today’s exchange rate

(250) 934-7672 | info@westviewmarina.com | www.westviewmarina.com

BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA

Help Us Celebrate Our 36th Season in Hakai Pass, BC! JOE’S “CENTRAL COAST FISHING ADVENTURES” INCLUDE: • • • • • •

Round-trip airfare from Vancouver, BC Unlimited use of 17-foot Boston Whalers and unlimited ﬁshing time Delicious home cooked meals Box lunches, beverages and bait A beautiful lounge and sun deck Heavy-duty Wetskin raingear and boots

• • • •

Complete fish care: filleted, vacuum sealed, flash frozen and boxed to be flown back with you Rods and reels all in A-1 condition Complete boat care: boats are cleaned and fueled every time you come in Bait and tackle for both salmon and bottom fishing th

2019 SEASON: June 20 – September 4 5 DAY TRIP SPECIAL! June 20–24th & Sept 1–4th Regular price: $3,200 | Sale price: $2,100 U.S.

CALL TOLL FREE

1-888-452-8822

email: doug@joessalmonlodge.com

g 49 pound sprin

Author Paul Atkins’ bucket list of harvesting Alaska’s big game animals has taken some time to fulﬁll, but having a checklist of to-do hunts makes it more fun. (PAUL D. ATKINS)

CROSSING OFF ANOTHER FOR AN ALASKAN SPORTSMAN OR -WOMAN, HAVING A BUCKET LIST IS WELCOMED BY PAUL D. ATKINS

“

want to hunt sheep; been wanting to for years.” “Do you know what it takes and where to go?” “You do know that getting a Dall sheep is at the top of my list and I really need to get one as soon as possible.” Have you ever heard somebody say something like that or had that conversation? I’m sure you have. Even though it sounds cliché, maybe you ponder it as well; I know they’re in my thoughts. Having a bucket list isn’t something new and whether it pertains to hunting, ﬁshing or even seeing the sights of the world, we all have one. There was a time that I wanted to set foot in every state in the U.S. I’ve gotten close – 42 out of 50, which isn’t too bad. Maybe someday I will. The baseball fan in me also wants to see every major league ballpark before I die. I haven’t yet – not even close – but it’s still something I’d like to do. aksportingjournal.com | OCTOBER 2018

ALASKA SPORTING JOURNAL

Hunting and ﬁshing, and more speciﬁcally chasing a certain species, is the same way. Many have accomplished such dreams, completing Super Slams of this and that, whether here in Alaska,

North America or around the world. But of all the guys and gals who have accomplished these feats, I’ve never heard one say they were done or didn’t have something else that was on their list.

In Alaska, a bucket list can be long and take years to accomplish, but the chance of success is readily achievable and can be done under the right circumstances and with a determined set

Sometimes it requires a little extra logistics and knowledgeable people to help achieve goals on your list. Transportation plays a big part in that. (PAUL D. ATKINS)

WORLD’S LARGEST Track Dealer Tatou T4S Tatou UTV 4S1 Commander ATV WS4 Commander UTV WSS4 Camso DTS 129 TJD X-Track TJD X-Gen Camso (Formally Camoplast) Tatou T4S • All Season

Bercomac, Snowblowers and Plows for ATV and UTV

STAY IN THE WOODS LONGER WITH TRACKS!

Discounts up to on WSS4 For more info, email us:

ALASKA SPORTING JOURNAL

OCTOBER 2018 | aksportingjournal.com

info@atvtracks.net or

give us a call:

866-243-8359

Cumberland’s Northwest Trappers Supply, Inc. Cumberland’s Northwest Trappers Supply is your one-stop trapping supply headquarters, featuring one of the largest inventories in the U.S. We are factory direct distributors on all brands of traps and equipment which allows us to offer competitive prices. Give us a try. Our fast, friendly service will keep you coming back.

Over 50 Years Of Service To The Trap & Fur Industry Request A Catalog Or Place An Order By Phone, Mail Or On Our Website If you get in the area, visit our store!

We are the new home of “Trappers Hide Tanning Formula” in the bright orange bottle. Retail & dealer inquiries are welcome. P.O. Box 408, Owatonna, Minnesota 55060 • (507) 451-7607 trapper@nwtrappers.com • www.nwtrappers.com

of goals. Surely there are many of you out there who scoff at the idea because putting meat in the freezer and enjoying time with family in the outdoors is all you need. I envy that and respect those individuals who chase that dream. Heck, for most of us, that is what we all want to do anyway. But there are some of us who like to pursue different species and test our skills against the elements, the environment and the animal itself. I know I do. I also think that a person can do both – have fun and stock the family larder.

WHEN I FIRST ARRIVED in Alaska, I wanted to hunt caribou more than anything else. I dreamed about it for years and to be honest, caribou are what drew me to the part of the state I live, Kotzebue. The Western Arctic Herd was huge in those days. If you wanted one, this was the place to be, but they were hard for me in the beginning. It took three years before I had any luck. Though the bull was small, I was happy that I had accomplished my goal. I’ve taken many since – more than I can

count – but it was that first small bull that holds the fondest memory. Next on my list was moose, the holy grail of hunting for many here in the state and even out of state. Moose are big, formidable creatures that can weigh close to a ton, and until you’ve been close to one you can’t fathom their sheer size. What’s more impressive or more intimidating is the amount of work it takes after you get one down. Hunting them is a grand experience, but when they say the work begins after the shot, they’re right! I was able to mark moose off my list early, in only my second year living here. Like that first caribou, the bull wasn’t big; he was small, but with subsistence rules and wanting moose meat, I pulled the trigger and filled the freezer. He was and still is the best eating moose I’ve taken in all my years here in the Arctic. Young bulls always are. Even though I could cross him off, I still yearned for that magical 60-incher that everyone talks about. I searched, hunted and explored every inch of Northwest Alaska trying to find one, but

I never had the opportunity until many years later. Before then, however, I was lucky enough to tag along on many moose hunts and kills with friends and family, ones where big bulls seemed to fall in their laps. It was incredible to see: huge bulls, some over 60 and 70 inches, were taken, fulﬁlling their dreams of taking “the big one.” I shared in those accomplishments and that was enough, but like I said, it was only recently that I accomplished that same goal.

MOOSE AND CARIBOU WERE the big two for me, and for many there isn’t anything else or better. But eventually your mind starts to wonder, what else can I add? What other opportunities are there where I can be successful and, if so, can I do it locally? Or do I have to venture off to other parts of Alaska in order to get it done? And that is what’s great about the Last Frontier; yes, you can! Alaska is big, with an abundance of wildlife spread across the state. Combining this with following the rules and having the right tags, most of us have the

Hair On and Leather Tanning • Taxidermy

Englewood, Colorado • (303) 293-2882 • www.rockymountaintanners.com m 84

ALASKA SPORTING JOURNAL

OCTOBER 2018 | aksportingjournal.com

Atkins never gets tired of chasing caribou. They’re nomadic and to see them in large herds during migration is truly amazing. He took this bull close to his home base Kotzebue 15 years ago. (PAUL D. ATKINS)

ALASKA SPORTING JOURNAL

OCTOBER 2018 | aksportingjournal.com

ability to hunt those species wherever we choose. Bears came next for me. With such a large population – one that seems to be ever increasing – black and brown bear both came off the list pretty early. I was able take my ﬁrst grizzly here in the Arctic 20 years ago, then a brown bear on Kodiak, plus numerous black bears down south. They were fun hunts and something I’ve truly enjoyed. I do know that taking a grizzly bear or at least hunting for them is on the bucket list of many people. Over the years I’ve been told numerous times by hunters everywhere that “hunting a grizzly” is the number one animal they want to take. They also ask if I have a guide license. I don’t. Most hunters know that as their list gets shorter, each item requires more effort on a wide variety of fronts. Maybe it’s time and money due to those species being very expensive to hunt and requiring a lot of time to achieve the goal. Maybe it’s the tag and the difficulty of drawing one in order to just get the chance to go. It could be any of the

If he doesn’t hunt another day, Atkins says he will be happy knowing what it took to take this billy and the memories of that successful mountain goat hunt, “the pinnacle for me.” (PAUL D. ATKINS)

above, but for the most part – and you can bet on this – it will involve mountains and your ability to climb them, or at least conquer some obstacle.

ANIMALS LIKE WILD SHEEP AND mountain goats are lifelong dream hunts for most, but for some they aren’t at the top. They’re down a bit for me – say, No. 9 or 10. It’s not that they’re tougher to bag or harder to kill. Rather, it’s getting to 88

ALASKA SPORTING JOURNAL

where they live and then outsmarting them. That is only half of it, as you still need to get them ﬁeld dressed and back down the way you came up. It’s just a fact of life and isn’t for everybody. I was lucky with sheep. In the old days and not that long ago, we had a very healthy and populous herd here in the Arctic. Numbers were good, which allowed us to hunt sheep on a subsistence tag just about every year. They’ve since dwindled due to weather and a

OCTOBER 2018 | aksportingjournal.com

variety of other reasons and the season has been closed. It was a blessing, though, and the ﬁve rams I did take in those days accounted for some of the greatest and most adventurous times of my hunting career. Sheep hunts are like that – experiences that aren’t really about killing, but about accomplishing goals and enjoying the time there. However, if you do get lucky and get to mark a sheep off your list, then you’ve really accomplished something.

Whether it’s a bear or bull, there’s something cathartic about being able to check the box on that bucket list. It might take a lifetime to mark off each and every standard, but with each one you’ll feel a sense of satisfaction that you’re working towards something special. (PAUL D. ATKINS)

Like sheep, hunting mountain goats has become very popular these days in Alaska. A lot of guys are achieving that goal every year. With ever increasing numbers you can hunt them just about anywhere, and on Kodiak Island the population has exploded. Tags are pretty simple to get, and with a two-goat limit, why not? Nonresidents still need a guide, but bagging a goat isn’t as tough as it used to be. You may have read my recent goat experience (Alaska Sporting Journal, November 2017). It took me three trips to get it done, but I ﬁnally did it. Though I was successful and it was the pinnacle for me, I don’t want to do it again! 90

ALASKA SPORTING JOURNAL

THERE HAVE BEEN PLENTY of other goals on my list that I’ve been lucky enough to fulfill. Muskox for one, but only due to where I live and the ability to draw a tag. Many say you get one every year and I do, but it took me 10 years of filling out endless applications to get my first one. It has been a blessing and the meat from these guys is the best in the business. Lately muskox have become my moose for the year. Like many, I’ve taken wolf, fox, lynx and the underestimated snowshoe hare, and yes, they were all on my list. But there are also a few others that have eluded me. Buffalo, or bison, is one of

OCTOBER 2018 | aksportingjournal.com

those and at the moment ranks at the very top (as it does for many Alaskan residents). The Department of Fish and Game has done an excellent job when it comes to the bison herds we do have. Due to excellent conservation methods and management practices, the herds have expanded, which has produced some incredible hunting if you’re lucky enough to draw a tag. I have not, even though I’ve been applying for years. Maybe next year. A bucket list doesn’t just apply to big game; it can also include waterfowl and even ﬁsh. I know several sportsmen and -women who devote their entire outdoor experience to chasing ducks. With all

the species we have here in the state, it’s a no-brainer. These dedicated waterfowl hunters value the experience just as much as they love to pursue our feathered friends, and they know their stuff. If you don’t believe me about the ﬁshing effect, head to southern Alaska during late spring and summer. Anglers from all over the world come to ﬁsh these waters in hopes of hooking a world record or in most cases just catch a variety of species that you can’t get anywhere else. Some even travel the state in pursuit of taking the “Salmon Slam,” or come up here to the Arctic in hopes of landing a few of our species. Like I said, most bucket lists are long and varied. These days, my list is much shorter, but there are those species that I would still like to chase. Bison, as I mentioned, but there are others. Polar bear is one, but not until I win the lottery and get my passport updated to hunt them in Canada (subsistence hunt). One of the more common ones however, or so they say, is the wolverine. To

ALASKA SPORTING JOURNAL

OCTOBER 2018 | aksportingjournal.com

be honest, I’ve only ever seen one in all my years up here and that was while I was camped on the Omar River cooking breakfast. We were hunting caribou and he decided he liked bacon, I guess. Before I could reach my riﬂe, he was gone, but it was still cool to see.

BUCKET LISTS AREN’T FOR everybody, but I believe that deep down in our souls we all have one. Maybe it’s simple, like getting your kid his or her ﬁrst caribou or moose this fall, or maybe it’s just to get a bigger bull than you did last year. Maybe once in your life you’d like to limit out on ptarmigan in one day. But ultimately it doesn’t matter, as long as you’re out there having fun and enjoying what our great state has to offer. ASJ Editor’s note: Paul Atkins is an outdoor writer and author from Kotzebue, Alaska. He has written hundreds of articles on big game hunting, and ﬁshing throughout North America and Africa, plus surviving in the Arctic. Paul is a monthly contributor to Alaska Sporting Journal.

THE FULL SEND

Author Jeff Lund, here taking a break along a Southeast Alaska shoreline, has seen a lot during his time hunting and ﬁshing in the Last Frontier. The highs and lows are part of the deal Alaskans sign up for. (JEFF LUND)

THE ‘SCARS’ OF GOING FOR IT – AND NOT – IN ALASKA’S OUTDOORS BY JEFF LUND

hen I was a kid I would compare scars with my buddies. “Got this one when …” It was a posturing thing, a way of showing others that you were mixing it up with life. It’s part of being a kid; well, it used to be. But at some point, the fragility of life becomes more evident and wisdom prevails. Sometimes, I hate that.

THE PARTIAL SEND As an Alaska resident, I have become aware of the ability I have to take total responsibility in the acquisition of meat. That is, I can provide for myself, rather than outsource the growing, butchering and shipping of protein. So, I live off ﬁsh I catch and meat I hunt whenever possible. Over a weekend, I took my skiff to an inlet just outside of cell phone range on

a mission to procure spring black bear meat. I anchored the skiff, inﬂated my raft and rowed around the ﬂats as the tide came in. It was totally quiet except for the strokes of my paddles. I was awake and aware on a level that cannot be recreated in any other context. Bears usually emerge just before sunset, especially on hot days like this one was. In Alaska, 62 degrees is considered

aksportingjournal.com | OCTOBER 2018

ALASKA SPORTING JOURNAL

After A Af terr gl te g glassing assi sing gab bear earr an ea aand d wa wai waiting itin iti it ing ar aaround ound dﬁ ﬁve ve hour ho hours urss for ur fo or the th he chance ch han ance cee to to ta take ake ke a sshot, hot, hot, ho t LLund und un d walkked walk wa walked d away awa wayy without with wi thou th hou outt scoring s or sc oriin ing a br b bruin, uin, ui in, n m making akiin ak ing th this his ttrip rip ri ip on onlyy a p only partial a ti ar tial a ssend. al e d. en d (JEFF (JE (JE EFFF LUND) LUN LU UN ND) D)

plan with buddies, saying I would likely be back that night, but I would stay until the following afternoon if I got a bear. I had an emergency locator. The next day was supposed to be calmer and warmer. Perfect camping weather. I had no good reason to head back to town. But I did just after the high tide. While I consider myself junior varsity Alaska at best because I am far from hardcore, I’ve solo hunted and camped before. I have readily ventured down an alpine slope opposite camp on my own to chase a blacktail deer visible only between banks of fog. This, instead, was a partial send.

BE ADVENTUROUS, NOT STUPID hot, and if your flesh is covered in black fur, it’s scorching. There was a large front flat, then a row of trees sectioned off a really green, football field-sized grass flat on the opposite side of the creek. Behind another strip of trees was an open plain of prime bear habitat. It was a shell game. I could only watch two of the three but it didn’t seem to matter. There had to be more than one

bear in here. But I didn’t stick around. I spent ﬁve hours sitting and waiting, completely enraptured with the experience. Then I cheapened it. I could have camped. I had all of my gear. The weather was good. I could have slept in my boat if the wolf trails in the woods really concerned me. But I didn’t. I had food. I had water. I had ﬁled a trip

I think that on a subconscious level, the logistics of a solo bear hunt may have sent me home. Bear. Beach. Tide. Daylight. All without the beneﬁt of another set of hands and eyes or a brain if I had to track an injured bear. Maybe I was conﬁdent that had I stuck around I would have shot a bear half an hour before sunset and I’d be processing it in the dark with tide dropping. Rather than jump into the experience

Like us on Facebook:

EZRSPORT

No slip – No rotation – No deterioration! Performance is our goal!

Our AK style Gauntlett makes your AK much more shooter-friendly and makes the undersized stock grip fill your hand, improving your accuracy and comfort! hand Check out our magazine Grip for your AK as well.

WE MAKE GAUNTLETS AND GRIP ENHANCEMENTS A FOR BCM®, MAGPUL®, ERGO® AND OTHERS!

Sub Compact, Compact ct and ntlets Full Size Glock ® Gauntle are designed and manufacturedfor edfor all th three Glock ® pistol frame styles. All Gauntlets are manufactured to fit without alteration (no cutting required). We design our Gauntlets to fit your Glock ® pistol! Our Pistol Gauntlets are all designed and manufactured to ﬁt your speciﬁc handgun model (no cutting required).

800-237-0683 sales@eezer.com ezrsport.com 96

ALASKA SPORTING JOURNAL

OCTOBER 2018 | aksportingjournal.com

“Once you achieve happiness, it’s not time for cruise control because you just ﬁgured out how much control you have over your happiness,” Lund writes. “It’s not an unconquerable thirst for something that will never be reached. It’s ﬁnding that love for the process and the practice of engaging.” (JEFF LUND)

and ﬁgure it out, I shied away. It’s funny how things change. Avoiding opportunity can be mistakenly deemed smart or safe. The scars are missed opportunity rather than going over the handlebars. Sure, I could have been out there in weather, unprepared, with no one expecting me back the following day, yelling “YOLO” above the sound of the motor. But that’s stupid. I do not advocate idiocy. So why else do I live in Alaska? I don’t live here to prove to others I’m not scared or to sound tough on social media. I do what I do because I get an incredible dopamine dump when doing real things and pursuing things that make me feel alive. The modern equivalent of sharing scars is telling people about what happened the last time you mixed it up with life. The majority of these times don’t not yield actual scars, but just good stories and rather than trying to one-up your buddy, you smile because you both are engaged in a life worth talking about. 98

ALASKA SPORTING JOURNAL

Sometimes you sigh and ﬁnish the story with a vow never to forget ______ or to ________ again. That’s part of it too.

THE ‘BEST LIFE’ IS CONTINUOUS If you get to the point at which you believe you have achieved your best life, you should probably reconsider because that would mean you have reached an end. Once you achieve happiness, it’s not time for cruise control because you just figured out how much control you have over your happiness. It’s not an unconquerable thirst for something that will never be reached; it’s finding that love for the process and the practice of engaging. I will never reach the point where I am holding a beautiful 36-inch steelhead on a fly I tied and think, “Alright, that’ll do ’er. I’m done.” No. It just restarts once the fish swims away. Risk will always be something that will have to be navigated. There are many

OCTOBER 2018 | aksportingjournal.com

derivations of the “nothing worth having comes without some sort of risk” mindset. But how much risk? What about contentment? What about just being happy without wild adventures? What about just staying at home with family and enjoying shows and doing yardwork? That’s a question only you can answer. Only you know your schedule, your time and how you use it. But the people whose lives we look up to, we look up to for a reason. They asked for a little bit more and upon getting there, they asked for more rather than just live off old memories. Opportunity is revealed when you start to see that your life can improve and that you can grow and have the faith in yourself to take advantage of beautiful moments life provides. I’d rather go over the handlebars than be afraid of the bike. ASJ Editor’s note: Jeff Lund’s book Going Home, a memoir about hunting and ﬁshing in Alaska, is available from Amazon.

Dragoon 5.56mm, 7.62mm CQB & 7.62mm Rifle Suppressors

Dragoon Suppressors Freedom Armory Machine Works is proud to introduce the revolutionary Dragoon 7.62 suppressors configured in both Direct Att ach (DA) and Quick Detach (QD) models utilizing Total Breakdown Technology (TBT). In a market where heavy, welded, non-serviceable designs are the norm; the Dragoon distinguishes itself with an all Titanium takedown design. The use of rimfi re ammunition in welded suppressors causes a buildup of lead and other contaminates that can never be cleaned out. Freedom Armory Machine Works design with TBT allows the user to remove, clean and service ALL components. The Dragoon suppressors are machined from solid Titanium bar stock that eliminates any welds/failure points. Th is aspect of the design creates an extremely durable and light weight suppressor that can be serviced down to the piece parts. Top rated sound reduction is achieved across the entire caliber range of each respective suppressor creating a truly universal suppressor for your many caliber needs.

Dragoon Benefits • TBT allows 100% of the parts to be disassembled for easy cleaning. • 7.62 is rated from .22LR thru .300 Wby Mag. • Extreme strength/durability achieved by machining the body from solid Titanium Bar. • Superior db Reduction across entire caliber range. • Field strip and assemble with standard tools. • Proprietary fl ash hider/QD mount creates rock solid, fast and light weight (Titanium) lock-up. • Robust mounting system allows one handed installation or removal in 2 seconds. • 1.375” Diameter • DA model is 11.5 oz and QD Model is 12.9 oz in weight.

PREMIUM TITANIUM RIFLE SUPPRESSORS (717) 227-9060 • Suppressors@famachineworks.com • www.famachineworks.com

With a history of precision machining since 1955 in Arizona, Layke Tactical is committed to PDFKLQLQJ H[FHOOHQFH LQ WKH Â¿ UHDUPV LQGXVWU\ with a line of AR9, AR 15, AR308 style UHFHLYHUV ULÃ&#x20AC; HV SLVWROV DQG FRPSRQHQWV $OO EDFNHG E\ RXU IRUHYHU OLIHWLPH ZDUUDQW\

www.LaykeTactical.com 602.272.2654

Author Jeff Lund (far left) embraces his role as a teacher at a school in Ketchikan and as a mentor for aspiring hunters and anglers. Zac Gann (right) from French Camp, California, took this bear last fall. Cody Lee (middle) was a player for, and later coached basketball with Lund. (JEFF LUND)

TEACHING MOMENTS

HE NOT ONLY SHAPES YOUNG MINDS AT SCHOOL; HE ALSO EDUCATES YOUNG SPORTSMEN BY JEFF LUND

“O

h, oh, eat it! Eat it!” I had to laugh at Jack’s and Alec’s enthusiasm as they watched my ﬂy swing under the log and in front of at least three steelhead that Jack and I had seen from the bridge on which they now stood.

Jack and I were staring at the steelhead while recording a podcast about steelhead ﬁshing. Once it was over, he called his buddy. I had taken off but then remembered I did in fact have my wading boots. I turned around and was in the water swinging my favorite ﬂy before Jack could return with his gear or his buddy could show up.

They let me have ﬁrst shot at the steelhead – either out of common courtesy, or they wanted to see if their former journalism teacher really knew what he was doing when it came to catching steelhead.

WHEN I LIVED IN CALIFORNIA, there was a desire by many to be separated

aksportingjournal.com | OCTOBER 2018

ALASKA SPORTING JOURNAL

101

from work. To have your private life private and your work life speciﬁc to work. Living on an island in Alaska, the private life isn’t all that private. One of my students works at wherever I go, or if I decide to go play shuffleboard or pool at one of the local watering holes, I will encounter the parent of a student. It’s unavoidable. There is no chance to live in another city so there is separation. Many kids grow up calling adults by their ﬁrst name, so by the time they

are in high school “Rick Collins” stays “Rick” rather than “Mr. Collins.” It’s not out of disrespect, but because it’s been that way for years. I’ve found I like it. I like that sort of accountability to keep me honest. It’s odd to think of myself as a mentor and I don’t feel like I am, but Jack said something in the podcast that made a lot of sense. A few months after he graduated he fell on a machete during a ﬁshing trip, cutting his hand deeply and

Without the mentoring of people like Don Busse, Lund might not have developed a passion for alpine hunting that continues today. (JEFF LUND) 102

ALASKA SPORTING JOURNAL

OCTOBER 2018 | aksportingjournal.com

leaving him with severe nerve damage. He stayed home rather than enroll since he couldn’t hold a pencil or type. So he endured a cold, wet, dark winter in his hometown without the busyness that comes with school or a full-time job. Jack said that it’s easy to get through things like that in a place like this if you are around good people. One of my favorite hunting buddies is Don, who was my high school basketball coach and Alaska history teacher.

I admired my dad for his passion for his craft of teaching and his willingness to look like a fool to get students to laugh, because there are students who might go an entire day without a reason to smile. I admired Don for his outdoor prowess and his genuine love for life. He’s one of those “good people.” When a pair of former students (one of which I coached with after he graduated) said they wanted to hunt black bear, I invited them up without hesitation. At some point, you have to look at what type of man you are and what type of influence you’re having on teenagers. I don’t want to use a qualifier, but given the current political climate, I probably should. I don’t mean “type of man” as an indication that only a man is capable of being a leader, a positive influence or that “being a man” means to adopt the persona of an emotionless misogynist or has to be an animal killer. I am simply speaking about the Alec Simmons (left) and Jack Carson are the next generation of steelhead bums in the Ketchikan area. Both were in Lund’s journalism class. (JEFF LUND)

ÝĩĄČӖ ěĩKČA ťӳyĄ A ť іѕ ÃӳћĀÃ ծ Č ěĩĄA ť іѕ ÃӳњĀÃ

јѕѕљ Ã Ç Čěӝ ĩÇ ÝÇ { Āӗ Ś ўѝўѕј ӓ њѕўӳѝїјӳљјўљ Dealer of Vortex and Riton Optics 104

ALASKA SPORTING JOURNAL

OCTOBER 2018 | aksportingjournal.com

Pistol Bullets and Ammunition P istol B ullets an a nd nd A mmunition Zero Bullet Company, Inc.

P.O. Box 1188 Cullman, AL 35056 Tel: 256-739-1606 Fax: 256-739-4683 Toll Free: 800-545-9376 www.zerobullets.com

ZER Matt’s Bullets

Premium Bullets & Ammunition

The 500 S&W Specialists Including:

I’VE AGED INTO THE range of mentor,

700 Grain

Tyrannosaurus Rex 635 Grain

Grand Canyon HP

500 S&W Ammunition

600 Grain

Long Flat Nose 500 Grain

Available in boxes of 20 and 50!

XTP

440 Grain

Round Flat Nose 440 Grain

Low Recoil 425 Grain

Vaporizor HP

500 S&W Shotshells

390 Grain

The Power and payload of a 28 gauge shotgun in a revolver!

Spire Point 350 Grain

XTP

Over 100 bullets for Also: reloading in most calibers! 38/200 For Webley & Victory Revolvers

104 Turkey Pen Road • Highland, AR 72542

870-856-6788 www.mattsbullets.com - for bullets www.mattsbullets.com/ammunition - for ammunition 106

ALASKA SPORTING JOURNAL

meaning of man because I am one and I believe there is a responsibility that comes with being one. If some want to read that as I believe that only men can influence, then so be it. I can’t teach a girl how to be a woman, because I don’t know what that entails. Manipulate my words all you want looking for a fight. I can’t stop you. Anyway, people are the average of their influences. They learn how to be based on what they have learned through observation. So many of the sensibilities of the previous era – that is increasingly being seen as not evolved, archaic or socially unacceptable – are things that connected people to lives worth being excited about. Someone taught you how to fish or hunt. You played outside. You got dirty. You dealt with things. If you were bored it was your fault, because you weren’t self-sufficient enough to find some fun. Enter the internet and cell phones. But it doesn’t start and end there. It’s the attitude along with it that is most dangerous to our future. A few generations ago we were all required to have skills that resulted in dirt collecting under our fingernails. Now we can still have those skills as part of recreation and modern self-sufficiency.

OCTOBER 2018 | aksportingjournal.com

even though I’m unmarried and haven’t reached 40. It’s not spoken out of arrogance, as if I feel like I am a better man than most; it’s out of the weight of responsibility. Whether I like it or not, I am an influence. Bad influences are still influences. I’ve learned that just because a man does not ask for or want responsibility, does not mean he is exempt. You don’t even have to be successful or do things right, just don’t be a pompous jerk. I didn’t catch the steelhead, but about an hour after I left, Alec did. ASJ Editor’s note: Jeff Lund is a freelance writer from Ketchikan. His podcast The Mediocre Alaskan chronicles his struggle to be a better Alaskan. It is available on iTunes and Soundcloud.

The Original Coated Bullet Since 1998

YOUR SOURCE FOR CUSTOM AMMUNITION FROM AMERICAN MANUFACTURERS. PISTOL • RIFLE • SHOTGUN • BLANK • BULK

Coated with our proprietary GEN-2 technology, Precision Bullets gives you the precision of jacketed ballistics in a swagged lead bullet.

903-498-8451 33112 CR 2142 KEMP, TX 75143 WWW.PRECISIONBULLETS.COM

DetroitAmmoCo.com

aksportingjournal.com | OCTOBER 2018

ALASKA SPORTING JOURNAL

107

G AL L E RY

GUNS & ACCESSORIES CDNN SPORTS Winchester XPR See us on page 113

LAYKE TACTICAL LT-10 lower receiver See us on page 100

LUTH-AR LUTH Model MK12 complete upper barrel assembly

See us on page 97

NOWLIN ARMS Match Master Pistol, .45 ACP

See us on page 112

R&S PRECISION Savage B-Mag 17 Winchester Super Magnum, 1920 barrel See us on page 112

SPIKEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S TACTICAL Black Spider Optics BSO 1-4X24 See us on page 108

aksportingjournal.com | OCTOBER 2018

ALASKA SPORTING JOURNAL

109

GUNS

& ACCESSORIES

GUNS

& ACCESSORIES

MAKING SENSE OF TENTS BY PAUL ATKINS • ILLUSTRATION BY JOSEPH FRUEAUF

ike many Alaskans, I’ve spent a lot of time in tents over the years. Some places have been ideal to bivouac and some have not. I’ve camped everywhere from the rainforest of the panhandle to the Arctic plains of the north, as well as on those infamous, rugged islands where getting it right could mean the difference between life and death. Whether pitching a tent

on rocks or tundra, steep inclines, muddy bogs or sand, or anything else imaginable, they all have speciﬁc challenges. I’ve had to set up on ground frozen so hard you couldn’t drive a tent peg with even the heaviest hammer, as well as cold, dark, lonely places where getting the tent up quickly meant not freezing to death. There have been places where only

one spot was available due to where we landed, while others provided endless choices, with the right one spelling the difference between success or not while hunting.

KNOW THE CONDITIONS Everyone who camps and has to deal with a tent has their prefered type. I know I do. Getting the right one begins

The tent on the left looks great, but it did not perform at all the way author Paul Atkins would have liked. The night this image was taken it rained and the wind blew, forcing the hunters to drain the water and duct tape the poles. With tents, you get what you pay for, so it’s critical to make a smart purchase. (PAUL D. ATKINS) aksportingjournal.com | OCTOBER 2018

ALASKA SPORTING JOURNAL

115

It might be heavy and cumbersome to some, but the Arctic Oven is worth its weight in gold. These heavy-duty tents provide shelter and warmth in the most serious of situations, especially if you hunt and camp during harsh winter conditions in Alaska. (PAUL D. ATKINS)

with ﬁguring out what you’re attempting to do with it or why you’re using it. Are you hunting or just camping? If you are hunting, what are you hunting? Caribou and moose camps can be quite different than, say, the shelter you take while chasing sheep or goats. How many people are staying in that

tent is another question that comes to mind. Are you going solo or are there two or more people? It all depends on the camper’s needs. Aluminum or carbon poles? The choices are endless. In the old days when I used to do a lot of ﬂy-in drop hunts I took two tents.

One was for sleeping, the other for gear. Many would ask why, but here in the Arctic it is necessary. The constant rain pushed me to this format and seemed to work great for many years. We were comfortable sleeping in one, and then each morning we would crawl to the second, where everything we needed

T is Th This is Cabelas’s Cab bel elas las as’ s’s ’s eight-man eig ight ht-m -m man n is is a go-to g -tto go tent tent nt ffor or tthose or hosee p hose ho planning lann la nnin ing lo long ong g eexcursions xcur xc ursi sion si onss on or weeklong wee e kl k on ong g hunts hunt nts ts along alon al ong g a ri rriver ive verr or o out ut ut o tthe on he ttundra. he undr und un draa.. T They hey pr hey he p provide o id ov de go g good od dh head eeaad cclearance, cl lea eara raanc n e, e aand nd dh have avee pl av plen plenty enty en nty of of rro room oom om ffor or or cots cots co t and and d all all the the gear gea earr you y u need yo need ne d to to store. stor st tor o ee.. Th T hey are aree easy eas a y to p ut u ut p an and take and taake ke down. dow wn n.. They put up (PA (PA (PAUL AUL UL D. D. ATK A ATKINS ATKINS) TKINS N )

116

ALASKA SPORTING JOURNAL

OCTOBER 2018 | aksportingjournal.com

for the day was dry. Those small tents worked great, and many of those years I used products from North Face. They were tough – almost indestructible – and went with me everywhere. They didn’t weigh much, and the transporter liked the idea. But I mostly boat hunt these days, and so I have decided that being inside a big tent is much more enjoyable than crawling outside to get gear. Call me old and lazy, but it has become more about being comfortable than anything else. Like the rest of my gear, I study tents and the beneﬁts of each. I choose those that will work best in a given situation. Here are few that I own and use depending on the situation:

A Vaude brand tent is one of Atkins’ all-time favorites to camp and hunt out of. Made in England, Vaude tents are super easy and fast to put up, especially if you’re on the go. Almost bombproof, they have built-in ties that clasp to the heavy-duty aluminum poles and can handle snow and just about anything Mother Nature can throw at them. (PAUL D. ATKINS)

.HANDY.SHARP. . . . TOOL & KNIFE SHARPENERS with FIRE STARTER

New Product announcement!

Survival Sharp-N-Fire Five features built into one easy-to-carry product: • Whistle (loud & piercing) • Straight carbide sharpening piece • V-shaped carbide sharpening slot • Ferrocerium rod (strikes against carbide producing massive sparks) • Small compartment

Ful Full u l Size z Sh Sharp arp N Spark

BILL FEELEY’S EXTREME HAGGLUNDS Montana-based Extreme Hagglunds, is an Alaskan’s best friend. Given the brutal winter and watery conditions that The Last Frontier is known for, you need vehicles capable of traversing roads that get buried in snow and can slosh through wetlands and swampy marshes on the way to hunting destinations. That’s where the various rebuilt trucks Extreme Hagglunds produces can come in so handy in the unforgiving Alaska landscape. Owner Bill Feeley has been buying and rebuilding these machines for more than a decade now, and his vehicles are in high demand, including from hunters who must overcome rugged country to ﬁll the freezer with meat. The ﬁnished product - from the junkyard to a complete overhaul - is transformed into a badass piece of all-terrain machinery that can get through Mother Nature’s most challenging paths.

Minii Shar Min harp p N Spark

Han a dy Sh Sharp Sha rp Mi i Min ((“P Poke ker C Chip hip”) hip ”))

L g Handle Lon

Handy Ha Han d Sha dy Sharp Sh rp p Rec Rectan ngle g

“Never a dull moment”

handysharp.com (208) 446-4519 118

ALASKA SPORTING JOURNAL

OCTOBER 2018 | aksportingjournal.com

406-328-6726 • extremehagglunds.com

WE BUY ALL MACHINES – RUNNING OR NOT! www.extremehagglunds.com – (406) 328-6726 aksportingjournal.com | OCTOBER 2018

ALASKA SPORTING JOURNAL

119

ARCTIC STRONG The Arctic can be tough, especially when it comes to certain times of year. If I’m hunting in winter – a season that usually runs seven months long this far north – and it’s super cold, I use my Arctic Oven. And even though it’s heavy and cumbersome at times, it works as advertised. Many can attest to this. The Fairbanks company that makes Arctic Ovens manufacture their tents with a heavy inner liner that provides a “coffee ﬁlter” design to prevent condensation from the cold, and they come with a stove. It is the Cadillac of tents. I’ve actually stayed in some of the coldest, harshest weather imaginable and felt like I was inside a cabin. They’re expensive, but worth every dime.

SUMMER OPTIONS

Rust Protection for Firearms, Weapons, and Ammo Use Zerust20 for a 20% discount when ordering online li

If you’re looking for the ultimate solution to protect metal from harmful rust, look for Zerust. Includes a VCI Weapon Protection 9ƃǼӗ ěʍƹǉ ծ 9ƃɨɨǉȢ ČɽɨȈɥӗ latex gloves & a zip tie

ĄȈːǉ ¶Ȉɽ ĄȈːǉ ¶Ȉɽ

Gun Gu un Oil O & Gun Cleaner Clean ean ner

ř: ĄȈːǉ 9ƃǼ ř: ĄȈːǉ 9ƃǼ

ěʍƹǉ ծ 9ƃɨɨǉȢ ČɽɨȈɥ ěʍƹǉ ծ 9ƃɨɨǉȢ ČɽɨȈɥ

ř: ŚǉƃɥɁȶ ĀɨɁɽǉƺɽȈɁȶ 9ƃǼɰ ř: ŚǉƃɥɁȶ ĀɨɁɽǉƺɽȈɁȶ 9ƃǼɰ

www.zerustproducts.com customerservice@zerustproducts.com • 330-405-1965 9345 Ravenna Rd. Unit E • Twinsburg, OH 44087-2465 120

ALASKA SPORTING JOURNAL

OCTOBER 2018 | aksportingjournal.com

It’s a bit different during August and September, when chasing caribou or looking for a moose are my primary goals. Depending on the number of days out, hunting partner Lew Pagel and I either pack up the big eight-man outfitter tent made by Cabela’s or take my smaller four-season snow tent made by Vaude. We use the bigger Cabela’s tent for extended hunts, ones that we know we will be staying at a location for a few days. The big tent is comfortable and also allows for cots and the extra room needed for gear. For a home away from home, it’s quite comfortable. However, if we’re on the go, hunting one spot and then moving to the next, we take the Vaude. It sets up easily and quickly and is almost bombproof. We’ve had a lot of success with both. I’ve had my share of bad experiences with cheaper tents, the kind you wake up at midnight and find your sleeping bag under water or during a windstorm becomes a flapping nightmare. But like a good set of binoculars, you get what you pay for when you purchase a tent, so do your research and get the best you can afford, based on what you need it for. If taken care of, a good tent will last you a lifetime. ASJ Editor’s note: Follow Paul Atkins on Twitter (@aktrophyhunter).

aksportingjournal.com | OCTOBER 2018

ALASKA SPORTING JOURNAL

121

High Success Mountain Lion Elk Rut Hunts

World Class Color-Phase Black Bear Hunts with Hounds or Bait

www.mileshighoutďŹ tters.com 208-697-3521 // 208-739-0526

ELLIS CANVAS TENTS

Owner David Ellis says he’s most proud of his Shackleton model tents, but all of the Ellis Canvas tents are teepee-style. (ELLIS CANVAS TENTS)

laska Sporting Journal How did you get started in this industry? Ellis Canvas Tents owner Dave Ellis

The way I got started in the tent industry was sort of an evolution. I have always been a fabricator, starting first in the upholstery industry and then to making canvas enclosures of all kinds. The choice to get into tents was a deliberate one. I was approached by local outfitters and Southwest ranchers looking for a local tent manufacturer who could make products that fit their specific needs and were not on the market at that time. I was excited by the prospect of putting their needs into design concepts. Before long I became noted for two distinct products in the Southwest: bedrolls and cowboy teepees. I have made hundreds of wall tents, but my specialty has always been the teepee-style canvas tent. Now, many years later I have a set of products designed to meet the needs of ranchers, cowboys, hunters and other outdoorsmen, all of which are lightweight, durable and designed to be easy to use.

ASJ Tell us a little bit about Ellis Canvas Tents’ products?

DE The tents all have one thing in common: they are teepee-style. We make several styles of teepee tents, but the one I am most proud of is the very spacious Shackleton Tent, (available) in 14 by 14, 11 by 11, and 8 by 8. You will be surprised to see how simple this tent is, only relying on three poles. The carefully designed shape allows it to stretch out to a spacious tensioned structure. It does need to be spiked in eight directions, so you will need good staking points and then you are good to go. This can be a negative in frozen ground, but remember that the eight anchor points will really keep it on the ground in windy weather. The Prairie Tent is by far our most popular tent. It is sold in 12-foot, 10-foot and 8-foot square sizes. It is a modiﬁed cowboy teepee that has the front and rear pulled out that makes it very roomy inside. The front door actually tilts out at 20-percent angle to create a covered front door. You will never have a wet spot in the front of the tent. In fact, you can stand in the doorway of this tent with your boots in the dirt and be covered by the tent. The Range Tent is our version of a cowboy teepee and it also comes in 12,

COMPANY NAME ELLIS CANVAS TENTS CONTACT INFO elliscanvastents.com (970) 259-2050

10 and 8 feet, but has no guylines. This makes a good working tent that can be set up close to others. It has a self-storing awning if you do want more protection over the front door. These tents have a low window in the back, a front screen door and a vent at top. We also make our Torrent Tent, which is a rectangle version of the Shackleton Tent. It has a front and rear door, which provides better ventilation and works well in less turbulent (conditions). All of our tents are tall enough to stand in and can be ordered with stove jacks so that you can heat them with a wood stove.

ASJ Alaska tents need be durable. What are some of the highlights of your tents that make them Alaska-tough? DE Making a canvas tent “Alaska tough”

aksportingjournal.com | OCTOBER 2018

ALASKA SPORTING JOURNAL

123

takes deliberate and well-thought-out fabric choices and sewing techniques. I do not rely on heavy synthetics that can underperform, especially in rainy weather. One of my special techniques is making web strapping out of the same fabric as the tent. Using this strapping and taking advantage of all seam edging, I create a skeletal design to reinforce and help support all edges of the tent. My tents can be made with or without a floor. The floorless option is more durable because floors can be damaged with heavy use. In addition, floorless tents weigh less. My tents are as tough as they can be and still be relatively lightweight. My Alaska customers who travel in bush planes tell me they need a tent that packs up small for transport and is as light as possible. All of my tents fit this criteria. The 7.5-ounce canvas I use has been proven to work well in Arctic climates. It is well known that the teepee design is super wind resistant. Our tents also have a variety of setup options that can help when things don’t go as planned. They come with a lightweight aluminum pole set, but can

124

ALASKA SPORTING JOURNAL

also be erected with a single timber from the woods or hung from a tree branch.

ASJ It looks like you have some other camping accessories. Can you share some of those? DE We have the very popular Cavalry Bedroll that we have been making for years, it is made with canvas and is very water repellent. We have recently added a new bedroll called The Rocky Mountain Swag; it can be completely zipped closed to protect your bedding. It is also easier to customize by changing out the pad and the type of bedding. You can choose to fill it with our super comfy foam pad, a self-inflating pad, or no pad at all. It is a big favorite of the firefighters in the West. We also make a waterproof dry bag for storage. I expect it could be real handy on a boat, in the cold north seas. I think of our bedrolls as being Alaska tough. They

OCTOBER 2018 | aksportingjournal.com

The Prairie line is one of the company’s most popular tents. (ELLIS CANVAS TENTS)

are made with 12-ounce marine-treated army duck canvas, which makes them very water repellent. ASJ Editor’s note: Like Ellis Canvas Tents at facebook.com/elliscanvastents and follow on Twitter (@EllisCanvasTent) and Instagram (@EllisCanvasTents).

TRAVEL ALASKA Barrow

Nome

Fairbanks

Bethel

1 Kenai

Anchorage Valdez

Dillingham

Juneau

Sitka

Ketchikan

KEY 1.

Alaska Family Motorhome Rentals 5737 Old Seward Hwy Anchorage, AK 99518 (907) 223-9351 alaskafamilymotorhomes.net

aksportingjournal.com | OCTOBER 2018

ALASKA SPORTING JOURNAL

125

HAINES Canal Marine Co. 10 Front St (907) 766-2437 www.canalmarinecompany.com

126

ALASKA SPORTING JOURNAL

OCTOBER 2018 | aksportingjournal.com

128

ALASKA SPORTING JOURNAL

SEPTEMBER 2018 | aksportingjournal.com