Heard from the Great North

Mikey aka Alaska Mike, aka, Softserve Mike, Aka "if ones good, twos better" Mike ( and a hundred other terms of endearment for this lovable nutcase of a piscator), had notified us that he was hitting the mercurial naknek this weekend. Weather prognostication was perfect for an early spring outing. So all weekend I'd cast my thoughts to the naknek and Mikey, wondering, wondering, pining to be there, but glad I hand't endured the travel torture (see Pablo's post: The UnGuided~  Season 1  Episode 1  The Naknek) if it was a total bust. Well, typical Mikey, he has to keep the torment up as long as possible (must be that special forces interrogation training he got in Nam)... this message showed up in my inbox on Monday morning, it's so painful I just had to share...

From: "Mike Larsen" Date: Mon, Apr 30, 2012 12:10 am 
Subject: hey 
To: "John Berry" 
Complete success. Hope to send pics soon. What a weekend. Every dream was fulfilled, and that's saying a lot.  ML

Dear Senator Hatch

Recently, I penned a letter to all my Congressmen and Senators, voicing my concerns and opinions about the Pebble Mine fiasco.  I've received one phone call (by a yawning, bored aide) and this letter.
Following the letter, is my response (penned by El Hefe). 
__________________________________________________________________________________

Dear Mr. Juan Pablo:

Thank you for your email concerning the proposed Pebble Mine at Bristol Bay in Alaska. I appreciate your attention to this matter, and I welcome the opportunity to respond.

As you may know, the deposits of the minerals in question are located on land that is owned by the state of Alaska. I value your input and hearing your concern for the salmon population and surrounding environment. As a federal representative from the state of Utah, my position precludes me from exerting jurisdiction over matters that belong to another state. While some believe the federal government should exert its authority to block this proposal, I ultimately believe that matters on state lands should be decided by the respective state. You may wish to contact Alaska’s governor and federal congressional delegation to voice your concern over this proposal for development.

Thank you for being vigilant in the protection of this unique resource. Please feel free to contact my office in the future in any matters involving the federal government. 

Your Senator,

Orrin G. Hatch

United States Senator

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Dear Senator Hatch,

 You sir are a coward!  Do you remember hugging my wife a couple of years ago?  Well, that was fine, no big deal, but now, you have crossed the line.  If you don't protect these fish, you have no standing to call yourself a man let alone a representative of our great state of Utah.  You sir, have offended my honor, I therefore, challenge you to a duel! You may choose the weapon and I will dispatch you with out further thought!  

PS. I'm heck with a scatter-gun, just ask that she-bear on the Pongo.  If I were you, I would not choose the scatter-gun.

SEE YOU IN HELL!

Yours truly,

Juan-Pablo Secreterio

El Presidente, Rocky Mtn HQ
THE Unguided

Hog Johnson

The Fish Gods granted me three tries, count them, three, to hook Hog Johnson.  How can I ever repay that debt?  Biked in to Upper LB, of course not a soul in sight. The clear water, golden stones to match the outrageous colors of the trout.  Cutt, Brown, Bow.  Wild fish, is there anything better?

Go Big or Go Home, sort of

Finally got out on LHF, Friday. Good day, fairly warm, some rising trout.  I did manage to lodge a fly (contest is to guess which fly) into my neck.  I succeeded in doing this trick with a roll cast that was grabbed by a gust of wind, bringing my fly to my left side, just as I was punching forward with the cast.  Of course, I had not debarbed my fly, a fleeting thought 4 minutes prior to this feat.  I surgically removed the fly using my hemostats and a loud yell.  Then I went big.  I tied on a big double Renegade, which brought rewards immediately.  I'm always surprised when a large gaudy fly brings the fish running. Landed a few others on this buggy looking thing, then found a run with a large Cutt patrolling.  He refused the Renegade, that's when I went small. I loved holding that Cutt in my hand, 13" maybe, colored like a two bit hooker. What great day.