I left Kalispell Montana on Tuesday the 19th of August and had a quick and painless flight - was actually standing at the Lodge by 10:30 in the morning Alaska time. Left Kalispell at 5:45 in the morning Montana time.
Got settled in my room and set about getting my fishing gear ready and my boat for guests scheduled to arrive the next morning, so my entire first day consisted of unpacking and working on getting everything needed to fish in my boat.
I guest fished the next three days with the group - had a grand time and enjoyed getting back in the swing of things - I played chauffeur most of the time for the leader of the group since I had done that in the past so not as much fishing as I would have hoped since the group leader has a Son and Grand kids who have a small private cabin on an island near Yes Bay and I shuttled him and various people and his dogs back and forth to the island which ate up a bunch of fishing time.
My birthday always falls at the same time this group comes up and the leader of the group always has a birthday dinner for his grandson at the Lodge and I am always invited to participate, which is very nice for him to include me! This year was no different, see below.
Managed to land some nice silver salmon with several of the guests from the group between trips to the island and back.
Here is one of the first pictures I took at the Lodge! This is a laser cut metal sign that was given to us several years ago by a guest and hangs on the dock welcoming our guests to the Lodge! Designed to weather with the rust, we mounted it on a nice black board so it shows up well against the building which is almost the same color of brown as the rusted metal!
I was fortunate to be able to fish one of my favorite guests of this group a very famous photographer - George Kalinsky. He has been the head photographer at Madison Square Gardens for the past 30 years or so and I know you have seen some of his iconic photos - like Elvis - Michael Jordon dunk from the free throw line - numerous singers like Frank Sinatra, Barbara Streisand, Lady Gaga and numerous presidents. He has photographed some of the most famous people in the world and tells some interesting stories. He is very humble and says his career has been a gift and allowed him to do what he loves everyday! Who could ask for more! He is advancing in technology and I convinced him to take my picture while we were fishing, he used his IPad and actually emailed it to me from the boat!
I was very happy with the results - so I have officially been Kalinsky'ed!
Now for some more pictures from my stay!
Our planes for the Lodge!
My Shared Birthday Cake a memorable 64!
One of the new guides this year - Captain Troy (Eclipse) Roecker is blessed with a bald head and I thought this picture warranted some modification to better represent his smiley attitude!
Here is Ryan Martinez the General Manager of the Lodge enjoying a good game of Corn Hole on the dock with some of the crew!
A couple pics of the Lodge dining room for the website - how about the view while enjoying some fresh Alaskan Seafood!
And OH THE VIEW from the Lodge!
A few food shots with the background for the website already created to use on the new website!
Top to bottom - Fresh cooked Dungenous Crab, Fresh Salmon and then grilled Halibut, all part of the seafood buffet which we put out for this large group!
We also had a wonderful "Beach Picnic" for the group and the staff cooked a wonderful lunch on a nearby island beach! Had about 40 people on the beach for lunch!
One of the new boats out fishing will be used on the website!
A more typical view in the rain from the dock at the Lodge!
One of my goals of this trip was to replenish my freezer stock of fresh Alaska salmon and halibut - I personally fished my last two days there and got my limit of salmon and halibut all vacuum packed and flash frozen and packed for my return flight.
So here is what is planned for the next month or so - tomorrow - Kalispell Air Show with the Air Force Thunderbird's - weather permitting I hope to get some good pictures. Monday a friend from out of town, a little day trip photo safari to Hungry Horse Reservoir near Glacier National Park. Later next week a two or three day fishing trip in search of some Walleye. Then middle of the month trip to the East Side of Glacier in search of some turning leaves and great photos - two or three day trip. Then the end of September head towards Nevada and Salt Lake to get ready to gather with a group of morons in Ohio for a class Birthday Party in October. Should be a busy next few weeks.
Stay Tuned!
Capt. Jim - "The Gypsy"
Traveling and photographing the Southwest and Alaska!
