Angler's Alibi Alaska 2008 Newsletter - as mailed to past guests Pictures to be added later Click for previous newsletters: 2003    2004    2005    2006-07

Yes, I am alive, still kicking, bitching and moaning too. You may not believe this, but I have photos of most every guest on my screen saver, so I think about you folks quite often, but for some reason, I am becoming a worse procrastinator every year, so this news/thank-you letter is far, far overdue. First, I have to thank all of you who visited; we know it is not an easy or inexpensive choice to spend a week in our remote area of Alaska and we are very flattered that you folks decide to spend your fishing vacation with us.

Why go to a remote river in Alaska when Mexico or another destination is less expensive and warmer? Whenever I think this, and I do, especially this year, I turn on ESPN, watch some fishing shows and I have my answer, (perspective is a good thing) I watched two shows last week, one was in Florida and the other in Mexico, (with a renowned fly-fishing host) the weather did not cooperate in either local, the water was high, the tides were wrong and their best fishing days (when whatever they caught was on spinning gear with bait) could not hold a candle to some of our worst 2008 days on the Alagnak. I have also been on several fishing trips to Central America, a super break from upstate NY winter, great fun, and a bit less expensive than Alaska. The last trip a fellow who has been to Alaska maybe 25 times, (I first guided him in 1977) was with us, after two days, the fishing was pretty slow and he said you know there is just no place like Alaska, I have fished in Florida, Mexico, New Zealand, Colorado, Montana, pretty much everywhere and they were all fun fishing trips, but when you go to Alaska, at least your part of Alaska, you are not going fishing, you are going catching, believe me, he said, there is no place like it; probably not an exact quote, but pretty darn close. Did we have fun on that trip, will I go back, yes and probably yes; was I flattered by his comments about our special part of Alaska, I still am and it made me think of how fortunate we are to be in our unique tide water location on the Alagnak River. For a real catching trip Alaska's Bristol Bay and particularly the Alagnak is an easy choice, but there are quite a few other options in our area, so thank you much for choosing Angler's Alibi.

Now the news: We had a smaller than usual King run on the Alagnak last summer, but we caught Kings every day with several truly great days, and if you got tired of Kings, you could always catch Sockeyes, or Chums. Where else in the world can you say lets go wade for awhile, and be hooking dozens of jumping silver fish 6-12 pounds on a fly rod? Week 1 - 2 it was Sockeyes by the dozens, week 2- 3 it was limits of Sockeyes and Chums by the dozens with quite a few Pinks and even a couple of Silvers the end of week 3; week 4 Chums & Pinks at will, quite a few silvers and limits of Kings for everyone all 4 of these weeks. Week 5 you could still catch Kings at the weeks beginning, but the Pink, Silver & Chum fishing was so spectacular that most preferred wading and fly-fishing for them. Week 6 & 7, Chums, Pinks & Silvers, the Chums were slowing down, but the Pinks were especially big and it was another very good Silver run, in fact several long returning guests said it was their best silver fishing ever. The braids trips & the fly/outs: I can't remember anyone coming back from the Alagnak braids without praising the comfort of our new jet along with John & Hunter for their guiding and we made a lot of trips; Bears, Moose, Wolves, eagles by the dozens and fishing that made everyone happy. We flew out about 20 times, to 6 different streams and had only two disappointing fishing days, but even on those days there were bears galore and a wolf too. Speaking of the wildlife last summer, it was the best ever; bears and more bears everywhere several each day on the Alagnak and dozens each day on the fly/out streams, moose, we had 5 moose in the front yard one day and I have photos from most every week with 2 and 3 in each frame; twin bulls, cow and calves cows and bulls. That beautiful Hawk Owl in the tree in front of tent one two different afternoons. The weekly Eagle photos from last summer seem to be posed, there were so many great shots; the wolf on the Alagnak and at Headwaters; ducks, geese osprey, beavers, otters, and more Sand hill Cranes each year; and of course our front porch jays. I watched a couple more fishing shows this week, (trying to think of a typical 2-3 days on the Alagnak) they had some birds and wildlife, the fishing (again with bait, as fly conditions were not right) was pretty good and the scenery was quite spectacular, but the experience was a far cry from ours.

It was a cool cloudy summer, but the fishing conditions were near perfect every day and if seemed to warm up enough most evenings to have cocktails and hors d'oeuvres out on the deck. We had our last frosts the second week of June and our first frost the second week of August. Jim, John, Jeff, Hunter and Zach did a super job and I am very glad to say they are all returning next summer; in fact I want John to pretty much run things. I will be there, but John's enthusiasm and fishing mania are what mine were 10 years ago, a shot in the arm our fishing program can always use. Abby will also be back to keep things running smoothly on the beach, a job she does so well, and we will have a new chef, a position for which I have some excellent candidates.

All of our equipment, including 6 new boats and 5 new motors in the last few years is in almost new condition, so nothing added there, but John & Hunter have been working on some new flys for the braids, so the excursion in the new jet should be even more rewarding.

Jim is working on some DVDS, some promotional and some I told him he should offer for sale, music, some commentary and photos. I suggested he offer some for sale, perhaps one for the entire season and one for the entire seasons best wildlife photos. He keeps a great journal, so could pretty much tell when & where the shots were taken. If you might want to buy one of these you may want to email Jim at troutbum@cableone.net and give him a boost.

I told many of you that I was planning to retire soon and John Perry will be taking over, this will still happen in the near future, but under the present circumstances, I can't think of a better place to be, than on the Alagnak with you folks, the fish, the moose, the bears, and no TV, or radio news. Which brings me to next summers schedule, here is what we have remaining open, 5 spots open the first week, June 29-6 July, 3 spots open July13-20 and 10 spots open August 3-10. Unbelievable to me, no letters sent, no advertising, the financial world in some kind of tail spin and you folks decide to spend another week with us! I truly am flattered, thank you so much. Now let me give my little push to the rest of you, please think about joining us in getting away from it all on another catching trip to the Alagnak, the run predictions are good to excellent! Those who have visited in the last few years know how good it has been; the salmon fishing and the trout fishing in the braids & the fly/out streams capped off with the wildlife, it is a pretty much amazing experience, even for us.

Regardless of your plans, I hope everything is going well for you and I would enjoy much hearing from you. Please Email me at info@anglersalibi.com, drop a note in the mail, 6105 Poplar Beach Road, Romulus, NY 14541 or call (607) 869-9397, or cell (607) 351-7232.

Thanks Much,

Note: Photos will be added to this page later.