Talkeetna and a Fish

Talkeetna, Alaska
June 19, 2009 Friday
The curse has ended: Rick finally caught a nice sockeye salmon and two rainbow while we are in Talkeetna. We found out what the “catching fish” problem is: One of us has to be the sacrificial goat. (and therefore, no one is there to photo and document the catch) I was doing laundry and errands durring his successful solo fishing jaunt. The day before it worked too—I was visiting galleries and did a painting, while he caught 2 nice rainbows in the Upper Montana.
Besides known for its climbing excusions to Mt. McKinely and plane-trip charters to Denali Park, Talkeetna is known as the “the quaint little drinking town that has a fishing problem.” The flowers are finally coming to peak, and it is such a pleasure to hike in alpine meadows.
Prior to Talkeetna, We did have more frutstrating fishing exper iences driving up from coastal Seward, at the Kasilof River, Willow River (where I caught a smolt little bigger than my fly) and L. Montana. For you non-fisherman, these are all famous rivers. Unfortunately the King Salmon run is very weak this year. Our hopes were dashed once again, after a day on Clear Creek, which needs a “jet-boat dropoff. I hooked and lost 4 kings(spin rod) and Rick(fly rod) hooked and lost 2 kings. A small comfort was landing a dolly Varden that day. Just have to be content with the thrill of playing those 35 lb. fish for several minutes each.
While on the Clear Creek, our beloved lab Mickey apparently tore out her ACL on her “good hind leg”, so she is confined to the trailer until we get back to Maine. It looks like her hunting days are over.
The upside of coming too early to Alaska, is that there are hardly any mosquitos, June is the sunniest and driest month, and campground accommodations do not need advance reservations. But Talkeetna was the first time it was warm enough to grill outside. Boy did that fresh salmon taste good. The Inland is much warmer than the coast. We have had only two half-days of rain!
Now we are on our way up to Denali Park and meeting our Rangeley friends , Sheri Oldham and Ernie. Looking forward to hiking and more photography. If we get another rainy day, maybe another painting in the Park.
Best Fishes
Marcia and Rick