Alaska – Part 2

Mostly pictures this time – Mother Nature really tells the best story with a bit of our stuff thrown in.

First, a few shots from around Bristol Bay Lodge –

And one later in the week with a storm approaching.

We flew out on the Lodge’s 3 DeHaviland Beaver float planes just about very day. Production of these planes stopped in 1967, but a whole cottage industry has grown up around restoring them to top notch condition. With a big 450 horsepower radial engine and STOL capability (short take off and landing), these planes are the station wagon of the north. Bristol Bay Lodge has three along with three extremely proficient bush pilots including Steve (who is also the Lodge Manager), Reuben and Dan.

A great part of the trip was flying over the wild terrain below the mountain peaks sightseeing and watching for animals.

And then the landings….

No big deal to them but fun for us.

A group photo with Laura, Peter, George and me.

Off on the hunt.

A golden eagle (sorry for the picture quality).

A bald eagle nest with fledglings.

And momma trying to draw us away.

And our night at Birch Camp.

Another nice high latitude sunset.

George (on the river early) with another couple of nice fish.

A nice Dolly Varden

A real big Grayling

But Dad won the day with this Monsta Dolly Varden at around 30inches.

A few days in between, but I thought we needed to show the best of an Alaskan shore lunch. The preparations.

Skillet fired potatoes.

Grilled salmon in a marinade.

Pan sautéed salmon in a wine/buttermilk mix.

Guides Bob and Art cooking same along with apple fritters.

I have had a few Canadian shore lunches in my day, but this was over the top.

Finally, George with a nice Silver Salmon.

And a very happy father and son.