Thx Bob. I have very fond memories of Ninilchik. Eagles at the front door, great weather in late June/July. Daylight all nite, and smoking volcanos across the bay.

As I recall, Cook Inlet has one of the largest tidal changes in the world, just behind Bay of Fundy at around 28-30ft. We had to fish right on either side of slack tide or even the 5lb brick weights wouldnt keep us on bottom.

What a thrill to see that rod tip bobble, and then wait a seeming eternity for the fish to take it. Once on however, it took all I had just to get the 125Lb'er (my biggest ever) to the boat. Ill never forget the burning feeling in the arm muscles. Also my first experience "shooting" the fish before bringing them on board -- quite understandable about not wanting a fish that large flopping madly about in a small boat.

I also remember catching other bottom feeders, large cod -- and much to my surprise, after a fight of almost a half hour thinking we had a good halibut, learning that once at the surface my catch was a VERY large skate. All that work, and I mean work!, for naught. But you know what?, the fight, the anticipation, the multiple runs, and so on, even the skate was fun.

Day trips to the Kuikcik (sp) for the sokeye run made for a wonderful contrast. Standing in knee-deep water and watching thousands upon thousands of sockeye, only 5-10 ft away, heading upstream in an endess freight train was the ultimate adreniline rush. Those 5-8 lbers on lite gear buzzing off 50 yds of line in a second, multiple times, was a real treat ---- and of course the time the guide said, I think you guys ought to get in the boat --- NOW! --- and 30 seconds later having a big brown bear and two large cubs come our way. The mother actually stood on the rock I was standing on a minute before and caught s many (Ok, more actually) fish than I did while we watched from the skiff not 30 yards away.

Im sure you agree, that once you go to AK, you are changed for life in a very favorable way.

You are top on my list for the next voyage of memory creation. Thanks for doing all of this so faithfully and participating in the active way that you do. Hat's off to you!

ps sorry for the long post, but the fond memories obviosly creep in. Hope others can feel the excitement too. -j