Porcupines, Silvers, and a Pirate

So I just returned from two excellent weeks in fishing/working/hanging out in King Salmon, AK...it had been a while since I had last visited and I was really itching to get back. I had spent 7 summers prior in the area, commercial fishing, sport fishing, and a little dirt-bag guiding for a few summers as well, my absence was starting to wear on me. Luckily, my girlfriend had scored a job guiding at Alaska Sportsman's Bear Trail Lodge, on the Naknek River, so I was set.

I can't report any truly exciting stories, bear encounters, or airplane disaster, thankfully. I did however, get to spend a morning with my buddies dog who had gotten in a fight with a Porcupine.

Taggish with a face full of quills.

Just before my arrival, I hear the Silvers were showing up in excellent numbers. The small river near the lodge was loaded with fining fish, and numerous evenings were spent sight casting to pods of aggressive Silvers. We were near the top end of tidal influence, and every new tide would bring fresh fish from the salt.

A typical Naknek River Silver Salmon.

Kate doing battle with another chromer.

This bank was loaded with fish, with close to 20 fish hooked in a few hours.

Next stop, fillet table and vacuum packer...

On my way home, I had a message from my roommates about a note that was left on my door. They weren't sure about where it came from but I had a pretty good idea.

You see, for the last year, a dude named Jay Johnson had been working off and on for AEG. You may remember him from the Fly Fishing Film Tour as the loud mouthed bearded man who announced the shows, or the guy who you drank beers with afterwords, or the guy who slept on your couch...

I had been telling him, get us your resume, and we may be able to give you a full time 'job' (if anyone remembers what an indentured servant is from history class, you get the idea of the job I am talking about..). Well, this was Jay's resume, hand written on what looked to be a piece of a brown paper bag.

Did it pass the test? Absolutely! So consider this the official announcement that Jay Johnson will now be working with us full time. Jay will be contributing to this blog, travelling on expeditions, and you will most likely see him again on the 2009 Fly Fishing Film Tour. We have been wanting to have our own pirate on board, and I am happy to say we finally do.

Jay, its good to have you on the team.