Went way north..not ice fishing

[ftwwalleye]

Sorry to disappoint with non ice fishing but tis the season til we get ice.
Turned 40 in October so last minute decided to do a bucket list trip. Went to Alaska to fly fish. Had one goal to catch Dolly Varden and Artic Grayling.
Of course when I left on Sept 27 it was nice and toasty here in Indiana and when I arrived in Alaska they had a 30 year coldest week. 16 degrees in the mountain my first morning. Stood on a little thin ice actually. Streams were cold and chunks of ice from the mountains breaking up and pounding you in the legs. Made a few solo days alone and covered a lot of streams. Bite was slow but pretty damn amazing alone time in the wildneress. Had a 44 on my chest for the potential grizzly run in and my bear spray. Saw lots of eagles, a lynx, and lots of moose. Ended up on my 3rd day hooking up with a buddy that lived there. We drove 2 hours north into the mountains and then another 3 hours in a side by side into no mans lands to fish remote streams . Got on Dollies even though they were small. It was pretty amazing. His buddy was a pilot and took us for a ride in a plane over the mountains and glaciers. Did some off roading in my rental 4 runner and broke my windshield...lol. day 5 after many hours of wading in extremely cold water got into Artic Grayling. It was a bucket trip for sure and even though it was cold I had the trip of my life. Might be going back in March to ice fish with my buddy on some remote lakes for Trout and burbot. Tight lines friends and hope to be walking on ice with you soon.
Chad

[Hexagenia51]

Thanks for sharing Chad. Looks like alot of fun and crossed off some items on your bucket list! I hope to make it up there some time, fingers crossed. Hex

[ICEOHIO22]

That sounds like an awesome trip. Those pictures are very cool.

[sebago2jigtima]

 

[river_scum]

that is one great adventure there. yes, thanks for sharing it.  

[TeacherPreacher]

Sounds like a wonderful experience! Too bad the weather didn't play fair but sounded like you made the most of it. Give you credit for staying positive and meeting the challenge! Doing the alone thing took a lot of guts!! Don't know if I could have done it! Congratulation on a job well done!
Teach

[tater140]

Oh wow... what a trip.  You won't regret taking the time to do that.  Fantastic pictures as well

[hounds]

Not sure I could enjoy fishing, worrying about meeting up with Mr. Grizzly

[ftwwalleye]

Not sure I could enjoy fishing, worrying about meeting up with Mr. Grizzly

I'll admit some of walks thru woods alone were unsettling. I just sang songs as I walked so I wouldn't sneak up on any. Luckily cold snap pushed most back into mountains more. I'm not used to multiple species that will kill you when fishing

[bigr]

Bucket list check offs lead many times to more bucket lists. Great trip.

[Michigan Slim]

First class! Thanks for sharing.

[Raquettedacker]

Happy birthday and great trip..👍👍

[tater140]

I spent a week this past fall on an elk hunting trip in Montana's Grizzly country.  it was my first experience in and around Grizzley's.  Never saw one, but saw lots of scat and tracks.  Their tracks sure are intimidating alone to look at. And yes, it did keep you on your toes and head on a swivel paying attention walking through some of the dark timber.  I never walked too far from my gun to take a leak.