SUBSCRIBE | NEWSLETTERS | MAPS | VIDEOS | BLOGS | MARKETPLACE | CONTESTS
Full Name:
 City:
Address 1:
 State:
 Zip Code:
Address 2:
 Email: (required)

If I like it and decide to continue, I'll pay just $12.00, and receive a full one-year subscription (9 issues in all), a 73% savings off the newsstand price! If for any reason I decide not to continue, I'll write "cancel" on the invoice and owe nothing.


Offer valid in US only.
Canadian Subscriptions | International Subscriptions

CLOSE WINDOW

BACKPACKER PHOTOS

Email this page RSS feed
User rating:
-
Digg Delicious Yahoo Facebook Reddit StumbleUpon Google Newsvine Facebook Twitter

Mystery Photos: An Alaskan Fish Story

Editor in Chief Jonathan Dorn heads deep into the Alaskan backcountry and comes back with the ultimate fish story in this gallery.
«
  • Touch Down: DeHavilland Twin Otters are the workhorses of Alaskan bush travel. In the hands of our expert pilot, the water landing was smoother than any tarmac landing.
  • Living Large: James (left) and Steve unload coolers of steaks and other treats. Note the essential hydration supplies on the rear pontoon.
  • Changing the Scale: Our puny-looking put-in camp from one of the 5,000-foot peaks that ring the lake where the floatplanes landed.
  • Underway: Small whitecaps made the first hour of paddling a bit bouncy as we exited the lake and started down the river.
  • Dropping Fast: The first few miles of the river lose several hundred feet of elevation. Glenn, our lead guide, rowed the boats through several small falls.
  • Loaded: Each of the three boats carried a guide, one or two of us, and several hundred pounds of food and fishing gear, plus basecamp tents, furniture, stoves. Always close at hand: a shotgun.
  • Big Sky Country: A typical riverside camp, on a gravel bank just below the tundra through which the snowmelt-fed water runs
  • Catch of the Day: Each of us caught several 20-inch rainbows (and released every one of them).
  • Midnight Sun: Late July nights in Alaska don't get much darker than this shot taken at 11:45 p.m.
  • Fish On! Frank coaxes a big Dolly Varden from a brushy bank as Gerry reels in to avoid a tangle.
  • Embarrassment of Riches: Editor-in-chief Jonathan Dorn holds six Dolly Vardens, 1 to 2 pounds each, that he, Steve, and Gerry caught on bright-pink plastic beads that mimic salmon eggs.
  • Master Clinic: Bill instructs us in the art of fly-fishing knots.
  • Old Friends: Jon was joined on the trip by Gerry Krach, James Clark, and Steve Brown -- friends of 35 years
  • Lunker: Jon displays a 15-pound king salmon. Judging from the color, it left the ocean about a week earlier. In another week, it will be bright red.
>
»
Touch Down: DeHavilland Twin Otters are the workhorses of Alaskan bush travel. In the hands of our expert pilot, the water landing was smoother than any tarmac landing.
Image 1 of 15

Touch Down: DeHavilland Twin Otters are the workhorses of Alaskan bush travel. In the hands of our expert pilot, the water landing was smoother than any tarmac landing.

READERS COMMENTS

Page 1

That's a DeHavilland Beaver, not a Twin Otter.
— Alex

If that is a 15 lb king- Jon must be 9 feet tall and have hands the size of manhole covers. Maybe more like 6 to 8 lbs.
Of course 15 lbs makes for a better story.
— Bestbuilder


POST A COMMENT

Your Name:
Comment:
My Profile Join Now

Most recent threads

Gear
I heard Keedos got a new Bivanorak
Posted On: Sep 09, 2010
Submitted By: FamilyGuy
Gear
Down VS Synthetic Sleeping Bags
Posted On: Sep 09, 2010
Submitted By: wayne9867
Most viewed Most emailed Top Rated

  1. ShaveMate Titan/Diva 6: All-in-One Razor & Shaving Cream

    Hey porcupine face, your stubble troubles are over! This handy device makes ...

  2. How to Tie a Bowline Knot

    The classic climber's waist loop knot for ultralight, and the strongest ...

  3. How to Make a Survival Bracelet

    In an emergency, you can use paracord for lashings, tourniquets, shoelaces, ...

  1. How to Make a Survival Bracelet

    In an emergency, you can use paracord for lashings, tourniquets, shoelaces, ...

  2. Knot Tying: Learn the Quick Release Trucker's HItch

    The best knot out there for tightening and releasing cords that will be heavily ...

  3. Knot Tying: Learn the Tautline Hitch

    The normal hitch for tightening tent guylines without using hardware.

  1. Hiking to Grand Canyon's Royal Arch

    Join photographer Elias Butler on this trek to one of the Grand Canyon's hidden ...

  2. 2010 Reader Photo Contest

    Your best shots: BACKPACKER readers have been to some spectacular places and ...

  3. The CDT Project

    209 BACKPACKER readers were dispatched to GPS map the CDT & they sent along ...

TIP 39: Look Low

In rainy climates, look for dry fuel under leaves and logs. Start with thumb-width sticks to light a fire that will dry out larger pieces.

Special sections - Expert handbooks for key trails, techniques and gear

National Parks Hall of Fame
The best videos, photos, and beta from Denali to the Smokies.

GearFinder
Find all the outdoor equipment you need.

Photo & Video Center
Essential gear, instruction,

GPS Trails App for iPhone & Android
Locate, research, plan, and save trips on your smartphone.

Follow BackpackerMag on Twitter Follow Backpacker on Facebook
Name:
Address 1:
Address 2:
City:
State:
Zip:
(required) Email:

If I like BACKPACKER, I'll pay just $12.00 and receive a
full one-year subscription (9 issues in all), a 73% savings
off the newsstand price! If for any reason I decide not to continue, I'll write "cancel" on the invoice and owe nothing.

SUBMIT MY ORDER Offer valid in US only.
Canadian subscriptions | International subscriptions

Pay Now