The Kumiski Report
Thank you for reading this week’s report, a newly written story about Ray-Ray, the trophy hunter. Hopefully you’ll get a few chuckles out of it.
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Ray-Ray’s Record Fish
by John Kumiski
One of the many characters who visited Goodnews River Lodge was a guy from St. Louis area who called himself Ray-Ray. He came up with a 12-weight outfit and a hankerin’ for an IGFA world-record Dolly Varden. News of this combo spread through the guide’s community like wildfire. We all enjoyed stuff to laugh at.
The lodge had two copies of the IGFA World Record book, from two different, recent years. This reporter found them and checked them out. Raz Reed held both the 16-pound and 20-pound-class fly rod Dolly Varden records at the time, big fish, each well over 15 pounds, both caught in the same not-Goodnews-River-camp in Alaska. I had never seen a Dolly anywhere near that big on the Goodnews, nor had anyone else in camp. The guides continued laughing at Ray-Ray.
My day came to fish Ray-Ray and his buddy. The flush of big Dollies had already gone through a week or two before. The fish I could find were nice enough ones, 22-, 23-inch fish mostly, although certainly no world records. I got Ray-Ray’s friend aside and told him what I’d found in the world-record book. He cracked up laughing. I said, “It’s not funny. I don’t know what to do about it.” He said, “Go tell him!”
So I wandered down the river and proceeded to tell Ray-Ray about Raz Reed and his tippet-class world records. Ray listened politely and then said, “No. I’m not looking for tippet-class records. IGFA opened up a new class of records this year, based on length. I’m looking for one of those new records.” Well, that was news to me! “What size fish do you need? I asked. “Twenty-four, maybe 25-inches,” he said. I thought, “Had you been here two weeks ago…” but didn’t say anything. Maybe there were still a few around.
I did have to ask, “What’s up with the 12-weight? Ray-Ray said, “It’s easier to cast.” That was one of the most ridiculous fishing-related statements I ever heard. I tarpon fished every year right before going to Alaska. Those rods are big and heavy. They’re designed for fighting fish in excess of 100 pounds. They’re rarely used in Alaska, and never for Dollies. But OK Ray, do whatever you want.
We fished for Dollies all day, got plenty, and some other species too. But no world records. I was not surprised.
I did not fish with Ray-Ray again. However, on Sunday, one of the other guides did. They had Ray downriver where he hooked a silver salmon that he foolishly let get into his backing. Whoever rigged his tackle at the Bass Pro Shop in St. Louis did not know how to attach a fly line and backing. That fish, however, knew how to separate them. The fish took Ray’s 12-weight fly line, and although Ray and the guide spent an hour looking for it, it did not get found.
Neither Ray nor anyone else at the lodge had an extra 12-weight line. Ray-Ray’s 12-weight had no line and was out of commission.
But, wait. The plot grows darker. An hour or two after Ray and the guide had given up their search for the line, another Goodnews boat pulled into the same spot. After they were there a short while, they spotted and recovered Ray’s 12-weight line with the fish, a nine-pound hen silver, still attached to the leader. Oh yes, they photographed that fish, and the fly line too. When they were finished, they put the fly line in a ziplock bag and brought it back to the lodge. They told no one about their discovery.
Change day is Wednesday at Goodnews, so Ray had to use house tackle for the next two days. Tuesday evenings, we always had an awards celebration after dinner. The celebration went pretty much as usual, when Gary Vazquez asked for the floor. Sure Gary, go ahead.
Gary got up with his usual flourish, and proceeded to show us photos of a nine-pound salmon they found downriver of the lodge, a fish that had a fly, leader, and line attached to it. Then he produced a ziplock bag, inside of which was a fly line, a 12-weight line of all things. In the meantime, gales of laughter came from the crowd, while Ray-Ray’s face got redder and redder. “I can’t believe it!” “I can’t believe it!” Ray kept repeating himself over and over. Finally, after squeezing every bit of humor that he could from his impromptu presentation, Gary returned Ray-Ray’s fly line, and gifted to Ray the photos of the fish.
I can’t believe it!
Photo Corner
Fogbow Over Goodnews Bay | Alaska Coastal Photography Print
This image is available for purchase at https://www.etsy.com/listing/4513303462/fogbow-over-goodnews-bay-alaska-coastal
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That’s this week’s Kumiski Report. Thanks for reading.
Every day is a blessing. Don’t waste it. Go fishing! Go paddling! Go walking! Stay active!
John Kumiski – https://spottedtail.com – https://www.etsy.com/shop/PhotographybyKumiski
All content in this blog, including writing and photos, ©John Kumiski 2026. All rights are reserved.