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| Morning fog lifting over Saltery Lake Lodge |
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| Morning Fog: Photo taken by Rod Pennington |
September 20, 2014 (Saturday): We had breakfast at the Kodiak Inn. After breakfast, (since
we were without luggage), we went to Mack's sporting goods store to buy some
long johns and jackets/ raincoats. We made it to the boat on time at 8
AM. We met Chris Fiala, the captain of U-Rascal in the parking lot at the
harbor.
We have been out with Chris in the past
and felt confident he would find fish. The mates on board the boat were the
same as three years ago with Becca and her three brothers. They spend their
summers in Kodiak helping with the boats before returning to the state of
Washington to continue their schooling. We left port at 8:30 AM after filling
the tanks with fuel and heading out to sea and onto Ugak Bay.
The day was partly cloudy and a light
wind less than 10 knots. The cruise and wave action was smooth with the motion
coming from the boat when moving spot to spot. Dr. Taylor did get seasick and
had his head on the table when the boat was on the move. He was able to fish
when the boat stopped. Chris did find fish and we took a limit
of rockfish including yellow eye and Rod landed a rare tiger fish (a striped
rockfish).
Chris took us into Ugak Bay and we took
a limit of halibut. The fish averaged 50 to 70 pounds apiece with eight to the
cooler, one for each paying fishermen. The location of the fishing spot was
just off the site where a blotched rocket launch occurred several weeks ago.
When the rocket was on lift off, they had to abort four seconds into the launch
and blew everything up including the launch pad. We were told several engineers
were on the island, evacuating the launch pad to determine if the site was a
total lost.
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| Fishing with Capt. Chris on U-Rascal: Photo by Bill Taylor |
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| Becca and her brother showing off a pair of Halibut: Photo by Bill Taylor |
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| Rod with a Tiger (Rockfish): Photo by Rod Pennington |
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| Bill with a Yellow Eye (Rockfish) with Chris looking on: Photo by Bill Taylor |
For more on the story go to:
We finished the day by moving to
another spot and picked up flounder. We landed many and added them to the
cooler. There was probably about five hundred pounds of fish in the cooler for
the day’s catch. We returned to port at Kodiak and Chris took us to Island
Seafood to process and package our catch. The plan was to return to Island
Seafood the following week after spending a week at Saltery Lake Lodge and take
our boxed frozen fish back with us on the flight back to Springfield.
When we docked the boat and paid for
our day of fishing, we returned to the hotel. We discovered no luggage. We had
to go back to the airport and pick up our bags. The luggage was secured and
locked in a closet; everything was fine with nothing missing. We finished the
evening by going to Henry’s Sports Bar for a bite to eat and walking through
the harbor looking at the boats moored in the harbor. We returned to the hotel
and fell asleep before 10 PM.
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| Our catch was dropped off at Island Seafoods for packaging: Photo by Bill Taylor |
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| Bill captured this photo walking through Kodiak Harbor: Photo by Bill Taylor |
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| Janelle making arrangements with Dave to fly us out on a float plane |
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| Dave's float plane getting ready to make another trip back to the lodge |
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| Our quarters for the week, cabin #2: Photo by Bill Taylor |
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| A young eagle near our cabin, later found the nest: Photo by Bill Taylor |
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| The bear is in the water, the eagle is perched in the a tree with a rainbow near by: Photo by Rod Pennington I was fishing to the north of Rod and Bill in the lake where I saw the other end of the rainbow. The end of the rainbow was near the mouth of Lake Creek. A place where Sean's ashes were dispersed last year. 
A rainbow end's at Lake Creek
It did not take very long before I hooked a silver
salmon. I was using a pink/purple #4 Clouser minnow, which proved to be a good
fly last year. There were brown bear sightings on the lake; a mother and cub on
the west side and a two year old with fishing lure hanging from his ear. No one
knows the story how the lure became attached to the bear, but it helped to
identify him. We called him Bling. We would see him many more times throughout
the week.
One of many bears we saw throughout the week
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Geoff and Brant were on duty as guides
with the guest. Bryan was at the lodge making runs with the ATV, on a return
trip to the water. Bryan spotted a bear and slowed down. The bear was confused,
since there were people in front of him near the river; the bear turned and ran
into Bryan’s path and the bear was hit in the rear. The bear was not hurt and
ran off into the brush in the other direction. We fished until 6:00 PM; the
three of us managed to catch and released twenty-four silver salmon. (K14R4B6
t24)
September 22, 2014 (Monday): Breakfast was served at 8:00 AM with coffee ready to by 7:30
AM. With everyone seated at the table, Edie called out a bear on the lawn.
Every one jumped from their chairs to watch the bear from the lodge. I was able
to capture his presence with my IPhone and saved the video for my Grandson
Desmond.
After breakfast, Rod made the hike to the lower hole and made his way back to the lake later in the day. Bill and I fished the lake using pink/purple Clouser minnows. It was a sunny day after the fog lifted off the lake. There were a number of bear sightings with the bears walking the lakeshore looking for fishing opportunities and weak sockeye spawning in the shallow waters. Even with the bright sun, the fishing was exceptional. The three of us managed to save six silvers salmon for the ice box with a total fifty-one salmon to hand for the day. (K30R12B9 t51)
After breakfast, Rod made the hike to the lower hole and made his way back to the lake later in the day. Bill and I fished the lake using pink/purple Clouser minnows. It was a sunny day after the fog lifted off the lake. There were a number of bear sightings with the bears walking the lakeshore looking for fishing opportunities and weak sockeye spawning in the shallow waters. Even with the bright sun, the fishing was exceptional. The three of us managed to save six silvers salmon for the ice box with a total fifty-one salmon to hand for the day. (K30R12B9 t51)
September 23, 2014 (Tuesday): The day was clear after the fog lifted. The air temperature
was unseasonably warm near seventy degrees. During breakfast there was a
different visitor, a red fox name Russian made his rounds about the lodge. He was
not too concerned for me and I suspect he was looking for a handout. I captured
a short video of him. We saw him a few more times during our stay.
Rod and Bill started the day at the
lower hole. Bill was casting his 8 wt. TFO rod and the rod failed; it broke in
half. He did not know why, it just fell apart in midair. Needless to say, he
hiked back to the cabin to retrieve his other rod. It was almost noon, when he
was fishing next to me in the lake. The fishing was good with a few good hook
sets and then a hook would find a dorsal fin or tail. It can be said, a foul
hooked fish can be twice as difficult getting to shore. Many of these salmon
were in the 12 lb. to 15 lb. range. In years past, the salmon weighed 10 lb. to
12 lb. on average. Bill was fifty yards from me when I heard a gasp. He broke
his Redington rod on a salmon. He was landing the fish without a net. The
salmon was near the water’s edge and bolted for deeper water. Bill had his rod
pointed up and behind, shattering the rod with the run. Bill was out of fly
rods. Geoff was kind enough to loan his rod for the rest of the day. That
evening, Bill rented a rod from the lodge for the rest of the week.
Twelve paces from Bling: Photo by Rod Pennington
Same event with different perspective: Photo by Bill Taylor
When Bill left to get Geoff’s rod I was on the west shore by myself. A call went out telling me a bear was on his way to greet me. I was standing in the water when Bling came up behind me. I let Bling know my location; he kept walking closer to me and stood at the water’s edge checking me out. He finally moved on; the bear came within twelve paces of me. We had another close encounter on Friday.
Here is a YouTube video of the close encounter: http://youtu.be/morxRHOUqEs
The video was too large to upload on blog.
There was a group of fishermen that would come in from the city of Kodiak. The leader’s name was Dale; he was the guide and supplier of ATVs. He would bring out a different group of fishermen each day. On this day, a father and two sons were fishing together on the opposite side of the lake. They were throwing spinners having issues with their equipment. They hooked a few fish than one of the sons started swearing and cussing due to a fish taking all of the line from a spinning reel. It wasn’t thirty minutes that I had a fish on and noticed monofilament line had crossed my line. I released the fish and started to retrieve the line by hand, there was still a fish on the other end. I kept pulling and finally the fish came off, by the time all of the line was wrapped on my hand I figured there was 200 yards of line. It was stowed away in my pocket and later gave to Brant as a souvenir. The three of us had another good day of catching with forty-four fish caught.
(K22R16B6 t44)
Bryan netting a silver salmon for Rod: Photo by Bill Taylor
September 24, 2014 (Wednesday): We made plans the day before and it was discussed before we
left for Alaska; a trip to Rough Creek. Rough Creek is on the west side of
Bread loaf Mountain. Last year, Rod GPS our positions and determined the hike,
day spent walking up Rough Creek to the north side of the mountain and the
return trip was six miles. It was a challenging walk with waders and dressed to
fish cold water. We walked across the lower reaches of Saltery Lake and hiked
to Rough Creek.
We had an encounter with two bears before reaching Bread Loaf Mountain. There was almost an impasse with us walking west along the lakeshore and the bears working the shore towards us. The bears finally took to the high ground and we were able to proceed. Rough creek was low and gin clear with silvers filling the pools. The scenery and remoteness was the reason for our return, the three of us truly enjoy and savor the time fishing Rough Creek.
The silvers we caught were in the 12 lb. range. We caught six and we were very happy with the day’s adventure. We left the river and hiked back around 4:30 pm and finished our day back at Saltery Lake and fished until 6:30 pm. We caught more salmon for our fish box. The day ended with Bling fishing the lakeshore and moving in our direction. We had five fish on a stringer and did not want the bear discover them. So, Brant took the fish across out of the path of the traveling bear. (K6R5B4 t15)
A short walk along a Beaver pond to Rough Creek: Photo by Rod Pennington
We had an encounter with two bears before reaching Bread Loaf Mountain. There was almost an impasse with us walking west along the lakeshore and the bears working the shore towards us. The bears finally took to the high ground and we were able to proceed. Rough creek was low and gin clear with silvers filling the pools. The scenery and remoteness was the reason for our return, the three of us truly enjoy and savor the time fishing Rough Creek.
Rough Creek provides pristine scenery: Photo by Bill Taylor
The silvers we caught were in the 12 lb. range. We caught six and we were very happy with the day’s adventure. We left the river and hiked back around 4:30 pm and finished our day back at Saltery Lake and fished until 6:30 pm. We caught more salmon for our fish box. The day ended with Bling fishing the lakeshore and moving in our direction. We had five fish on a stringer and did not want the bear discover them. So, Brant took the fish across out of the path of the traveling bear. (K6R5B4 t15)
Brant and Bill posing with a bear in the background
September 25, 2014 (Thursday): Today we fished the lake until 11:30 am, and then we loaded
up in the soccer mom Toyota SUV and made a trip to Ugak Bay. This is the where
the Saltery River flows into the bay with a large estuary area where the
buffalo roam and wild horses run free. We saw a number of buffalo on our trip
to the bay. We saw fifty harbor seals in the water watching us from the
brackish water of Saltery River; some of the seals came within casting
distance.
Before we walked out to the seashore, a single engine super cub made a pass over us and came around and landed next to our vehicle on a short dirt/sea shell trail. The pilot landed the plane and motored back to us. He jumped out and introduced himself and his buddy. He name was Eric, a state trooper on Kodiak Island. He and his friend were out scouting buffalo with a hunt planned for the following week. They spent about thirty minutes with us before taking off, heading back to the city of Kodiak.
We walked a half-mile to the seashore waded into the salt water and fished for an hour. We walked the beach looking for treasurers; only found dead crabs, scallop shells, oyster shells and sea urchins. We made it back to our vehicle only to find the rising tide filled our trail with three feet of salt water.
A super cub making a pass before landing next to us: Photo by Bill Taylor
Before we walked out to the seashore, a single engine super cub made a pass over us and came around and landed next to our vehicle on a short dirt/sea shell trail. The pilot landed the plane and motored back to us. He jumped out and introduced himself and his buddy. He name was Eric, a state trooper on Kodiak Island. He and his friend were out scouting buffalo with a hunt planned for the following week. They spent about thirty minutes with us before taking off, heading back to the city of Kodiak.
Eric standing next to his Super Cub: Photo by Rod Pennington
We walked a half-mile to the seashore waded into the salt water and fished for an hour. We walked the beach looking for treasurers; only found dead crabs, scallop shells, oyster shells and sea urchins. We made it back to our vehicle only to find the rising tide filled our trail with three feet of salt water.
To pass the time for the tide to go
out, we fished the brackish water from some high banks.
It took an hour before the tide reversed. I waded down the trail and started to work my way up the lower Saltery River. I looked for holding pools where fresh salmon could hold. I did find a pool with a dozen or more salmon. Brant took Rod and Bill back to the lake and I stayed to fish with Brant returning an hour later. On the first cast, I hooked up and released a silver salmon. I managed to break off three more salmon with the fish taking me to brush piles that broke my leader. I caught four Dolly Varden near the salmon hole with all fish released. I saw a large bear moving in the same area a video was shot three years ago with Rod and Sean, with the bear in the same frame. The bear saw me and moved in the other direction. Brant and I fished until 6 PM, making it back in time for dinner. (K2R10B4 t16)
Brant fishing the surf: Photo by Bill Taylor
It took an hour before the tide reversed. I waded down the trail and started to work my way up the lower Saltery River. I looked for holding pools where fresh salmon could hold. I did find a pool with a dozen or more salmon. Brant took Rod and Bill back to the lake and I stayed to fish with Brant returning an hour later. On the first cast, I hooked up and released a silver salmon. I managed to break off three more salmon with the fish taking me to brush piles that broke my leader. I caught four Dolly Varden near the salmon hole with all fish released. I saw a large bear moving in the same area a video was shot three years ago with Rod and Sean, with the bear in the same frame. The bear saw me and moved in the other direction. Brant and I fished until 6 PM, making it back in time for dinner. (K2R10B4 t16)
Rod reflecting at the estuary: Photo by Bill Taylor
September 26, 2014 (Friday): The day was overcast with a late afternoon rain that fell
into the night. The wind picked up in the morning with white caps on the lake
mid-afternoon. Rod and Bill started in the lower hole and finished the day with
me in the lake. There were only a few fishermen coming in by AVT from the city
of Kodiak. One of the fishermen was Bill Franklin, a former co-host of the
lodge with Doyle Hatfield, who retired when their lease was up a few years ago.
He was doing well with plans to builds cabin on 25 Acres on the opposite shore
of Ugak Bay. He traded his plane in for a boat and spends plenty of time on the
water fishing.
The fishing was good with a windy day
and solid clouds blocking the sun. We hooked many salmon with all fish
released. We filled two fifty lb. boxes of silver salmon and they returned with us on the plane trip back to Springfield.
End of our fishing, walking back to the lodge: Photo by Bill Taylor
It was a challenging day for me. I saw
an eagle flying near me and went for the camera to get a picture. My camera was
missing from the front pouch in the waders. I retraced my steps back to shore
and saw the camera three feet under water; with a fish landing net I was able to
recover the camera. Thank goodness it’s waterproof. The second mishap was
falling into the water walking backwards trying to net a fish for Rod. Thank
goodness the waders go high above my chest; I did not get wet inside. The third
mishap was getting spooled by a fish. I was using a large arbor reel (these
have less backing capacity). The salmon took off for the lodge, it was probably
fouled hooked. Needless to say, the reel was picking up speed as the line
ripped out. I tried to slow the fish down with a hand drag, and saw there was
very little backing left. I ran down the shoreline, it did not help and all the
line was lost; leader, new clear sinking line, and backing. I was spooled!!! I
walked back to the cabin and exchanged rod and reels.
We watched a coast guard helicopter
flying into and out of the nearby mountain passes. We found out that evening a
hunter was reported missing and there was a search party out looking for him.
We never did know what happened to him. I checked the local newspaper on line.
Noted there was news of the missing hunter but did not read if he was found.
Our last encounter with Bling was near our last hour to fish.
Bling came walking down the lakeshore. We let him know our position and he darted off to a high stone ledge near us. Ten minutes later, he walked up behind us and continued his journey walking the water’s edge looking for fish. It was he’s way to say good-bye. It was great video footage.
We finished our day and final opportunity to fish this trip by getting our last cast last fish. I was the last to leave the lake as the day passed to evening and the rain began to fall. I made it back to the lodge in time for dinner. (K18R10B6 t34)
September 27, 2014 (Saturday): After Breakfast, we gathered our gear and prepared to fly
out. There was a gust of wind blowing through the pass with a chop on the
water. Rod, Bill and Janelle were the first to fly out at 9:30 AM. I followed
them an hour later with Dick.
Bryan, Edie and Brant bidding us farewell
Before leaving Saltery Lake, I walked
to Lake Creek to bid farewell to Sean and hoped to see a bear. A bear was
spotted; it was shy and stayed under cover and in the trees. I noticed the tree
where the eagles often perched, a nest nearly out of sight in the summer. With
the leaves falling, the nest was visible in the upper reaches of the tree. Then
I realized the reason for the eagles’ always in view and constantly flying
overhead. This was their summer home. With winter coming on, they will move on
to places where food is available. They may even fly to Missouri to winter
over… one never knows.
Fly back to Springfield, out of Kodiak with a red eye out of Anchorage:
Photo by Bill Taylor
Photo by Bill Taylor
Our trip back to Springfield was uneventful. The red eye flight out of Anchorage to Denver was uncomfortable with cramp quarters, no space for my legs. By the time we landed in Springfield we were exhausted. The flight back is one of a few negative aspects of the trip. We brought back five boxes of fish, many memories of large salmon and great video footage of bears.
If you have questions or want to know more about
Saltery Lake Lodge check out their web site: http://salterylakelodge.com
