So why does author Tony Ensalaco (third from left) keep coming back to the Last Frontier? Of course, epic fishing is a major reason why – this halibut limit offers good proof – he’s made multiple trips over the years, but the Chicagoan cites plenty of other factors for his passion for Alaska. (TONY ENSALACO)
WHY HE HEADS NORTH AN ANGLER RATIONALIZES HIS OBSESSION WITH ALASKA BY TONY ENSALACO
D
“
addy, why do you go to Alaska?” You would think a simple question coming from a then 8-year-old girl would be easy to address. But at that moment, I felt like a fool because I couldn’t come up with a specific answer. So I said to my darling daughter Brooke, “I
don’t know. I just like it there.” I was hoping that she would accept my lame response and move on to the next subject. Yeah, right! Every parent knows there is no chance that the conversation is about to end there. “Do you really have to go? Why can’t you fish here instead? I think you should
stay home,” she innocently replied. “What? Did your mother put you up to this?” was what I wanted to blurt out, but I decided that it would be better for me to shut my mouth to keep the peace. “Sweetheart, it’s early in the morning and Daddy just woke up. Can we talk about
aksportingjournal.com | FEBRUARY 2021
ALASKA SPORTING JOURNAL
47
