Monday- Rodney Smith joined me for some scouting in the Mosquito Lagoon. A “hot tip” had been had about fish in the Glory Hole. The tip proved unfounded, although Rodney did get a nice trout there on a Chug Bug.
We found a school of fish at another spot, big reds, about 100 of them. Rodney tossed a faux crab at them. I would like to report that the fish eagerly gobbled the fly but that, sadly, would be untrue. They fled like scalded dogs. We got exactly none.
I got a few trout on a DOA Shrimp at another spot and exactly nothing at the final spot we checked. The Mitzi was cradled at noon.
Tuesday- Dr. Patrick Campbell, intrepid fly caster from the great state of Ohio, joined me for some fly fishing. It was windy, 15+ out of the east, and quite cloudy most of the day.
Of course we started where the big reds had been the previous day. And of course they weren’t there. “Ya shoulda been here Yesterday!”
We fished the shoreline near Vann’s Island. Patrick got a small slot red on a slider.
I soon put the boat on the trailer, relaunching at Parrish Park. We fished for a couple of miles along the east side of the Indian River Lagoon. It was hard to see, although slot redfish were present in fair numbers. Many fish were flushed by the boat, a few were harassed with casts, and one succumbed to a Son of Clouser that Patrick dropped right on his face with a cast that was all of 12 feet or so.
It was a tough day that Patrick took with good grace. Nice guy, that Patrick. Hope he comes back.
Wednesday- the first day of summer, AND the dreaded flight to Alaska via US Air, through Phoenix. Left Orlando at 530 PM. Got to Anchorage at 1230 AM Thursday, and had four hours time change. Crashed in the airport, had a rotten night.
Thursday- 640 AM Alaska Air flight to Bethel, then a layover and a Yute flight on a Cessna to Goodnews. Getting to the Goodnews River Lodge is not the most fun part of my summer. Was in the lodge at about 1 PM
The Lodge presented many of the usual suspects and a cast of new characters. In many ways it was good to be back, it was certainly good to re-unite with son Alex. But I already miss Susan.
Spent the afternoon unpacking and cleaning, settling in. And of course anticipating wetting a line in that most fabulous of rivers, the Goodnews.
Friday- Alaska has outlawed the use of felt-soled waders in its waters. Goodnews River Lodge has about 30 pairs of said waders. G and I spent Friday morning pulling felt soles off of boots, a sad and ridiculous task.
Alex, Taylor the cook, and I got out on the water for a couple hours of plug pulling in the afternoon. Not many king salmon are coming into the river yet. We did not get a bite.
Saturday- The Hunt Brothers, Chuck and Tom, joined me for an excursion up the Goodnews to Barnum Creek. They had been there a week earlier and done well on grayling and rainbow trout. I was looking forward to seeing both.
- Tout fisher extraordinaire Chuck Hunt with a beautiful rainbow trout.
Alas, it was not to be, as they did not catch a grayling. The trout bite, however, was pretty darn good and both of them got fish in the 24 inch range, solid, fat, beautiful leopard rainbows, using black streamers. It was a wonderful morning. We were back at camp by 2 PM to help with the many chores still needing completion before camp opens for guests on Wednesday.
- Tom Hunt got this fine ‘bow.
And that is this week’s Mosquito Lagoon, Indian River Lagoon, and Goodnews River Fishing Report. All reports until mid-September will be from the Goodnews River.
Life is great and I love my work!
Life is short- go fishing!
John Kumiski
http://www.spottedtail.com/
All content in this blog, including writing and photos, copyright John Kumiski 2012. All rights are reserved.
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John, have fun in Alaska — man, those rainbows look awesome. Hope to get down to the Mosquito Lagoon again later this year. Take care!