Having lived half a lifetime as a half-baked Alaskan you may assume I have in a natural food chain sort of way eaten my weight many times over in fresh fish. Never have been into catch and release, other than rainbow trout too big for the fry pan.

My idea of being a conservationist --not an ecologist who all seem live in large cities and consume vast quantities of natural resources-- is to plan a meal down to the number of plates on a table.

Once, when visiting my nearest neighbor, a hunting guide seven miles upriver from my cabin, he asked if I would catch enough grayling for lunch. I asked, "how many?" I was told, "one each for 14 guests, and that the cook was building a fire —right now —to heat up skillets with double-smoked bacon, and was waiting on me."

With the pressure on me I didn't go for the fun fighting that big dorsal fin on a fly rod, and cheated by using a spinning lure. Good thing I did. It took 15 minutes to get the job done.

Grandson Ty also has fished a few Alaskan streams in his time, including salmon on the fabled Kenai River(shown at Kenai River Fishing video/article), an experience that has gotten a bit crowded of late. Hence the new description of those standing shoulder -to- shoulder on the banks of one of the few Alaskan rivers that has access by road --thank you again Sierra Club-- as "combat fishing." 

Both of us were delighted that "taking the bus," to go fishing was such a well run adventure that we can recommend avoiding the expense of competing on what locals also call, since the building of yet another Princess "Wilderness" Lodge as "cruise ship alley," on the banks of the world famous Kenai River.

We had shown up at the desk of an independent fly-in operation with only a fishing license. We were put on hold until the fog lifted, but that turned out to be just enough time to meet with our guide, select a pair of supplied hip boots, and choose a rod. As I happen to have a lifetime Alaska fishing license, you know I have a selection of a number of rod-reel combinations in my motorhome, but decided to totally go along with testing the concept.

The surprise is that we were outfitted on the light side to go after a school of tidewater silvers. Fish that we not worn out swimming upstream against a river's current. What a pleasure it was to take a bus, to a busman's holiday where even my tackle was taken care of by dangling in front of the guides face with, "ugh huh," to get his attention.

Ty had filmed/fished enough with me to know that it was important to push a fish into jumping for the camera. I think his smo-o-o-o-th pan, following focus, of me of my first fish of the day was absolutely incredible. And, as you can see, what a performance by the silvers. Almost made me want to let one or two go, except I know the shrimp fed, truly fresh NW silver salmon are a culinary treat totally unavailable in sophisticated restaurants elsewhere.

Their size was just right, too, for eating. Salmon runs are noted for uniformity, dependant upon the conditions where the were hatched, and are return to spawn. Some noted streams require huge reserves of energy to complete the cycle, and these are truly are the trophy winners come from. Lately, especially with giant Kings, the pressure has been to photograph and release.

As stated, I am a "catching, keep-um", snob. I would rather have a fighting fish on every third cast, than snag another fisherman's lure. Rather than wear myself out dragging a trophy "barn door" sized halibut aboard, I like putting "chickens," in the freezer.

Considering that even a visitor from Interior Alaska --looking for substance-- wouldn't have to worry about packing a rod and reel, or hip boots, let alone finding an available boat, motor, bait, and the "inside" information on a local area -- I think these turn-key fly-in packages an incredible bargain.

So where is this absolutely stunning fishing hole? Therein lays the problem. . .