Outdoorsman Thread

[FRJ]

Sure enjoyed all these pictures.

[CheckSix]

Ken you've giving us all pangs of envy with those pictures. What beautiful country !

It was too smokey to see this when you were here last time. And now that I think about it, the the morning of this trip was very smokey also but the winds changed in the afternoon, giving me the opportunity to take these photos.

The last time I was in Alaska, was a little over 20 yrs ago. Stayed in the Anchorage area but got out a bit. Camped and fished on the Kenai and rented a Cessna 172RG Cutlass from Merrill Field and flew around the Denali Range and then off to the north and east of Anchorage, can't remember the name of that range.

Spent time talking to Susan Butcher on the flight into Anchorage... very cool lady.

I also have a cool story about being intercepted by a pair of F-15 Eagles while flying the Cessna. Maybe some other time I'll tell the story.

Here's the particulars on Merrill Field...
http://www.airnav.com/airport/PAMR

First photo I was flying the 172RG and snapping photos of the mountain ranges...

Second photo is Mt. McKinley...

Third photo is me in a F-15E Strike Eagle at Elmendorf...

[Dinadan]

Ken - those four wheeling photos make me want to move to Alaska and get a four wheeler! Beautiful country. What part of Alaska are you in? What elevation? That landscape reminds me of Colorado at the 12000 foot level.

Nice mess of trout, Randy! And I like that hat, too.

It has been so hot and rainy in my area that I have not spent much time outside in the last month. And all the rain has my favorite rivers too high to kayak. You saltwater fishermen are going to laugh at this story, but last Friday my wife and I were out saltwater fishing. It was pretty hot, so I took off my shoes. Well, I caught a catfish, not the one in the photo, but similar. When I tried to remove the hook the fish fell off the gripper and landed on my feet - one spine landed right on my left big toe and made a pretty decent puncture/slice. I do not consider myself a wimp, but I was frankly amazed at just how much pain that little wound produced. Back when I was young and ran trotlines a lot I was always getting pricked by freshwater catfish, but this was ... special.

[ken98k]

Ken - those four wheeling photos make me want to move to Alaska and get a four wheeler! Beautiful country. What part of Alaska are you in? What elevation? That landscape reminds me of Colorado at the 12000 foot level.

I was in the heart of Alaska at about 3500' elevation.

[RobesonsRme.com]

Do salt water cats not have a bit of venom in those spines?

Charlie Noyes

[Dinadan]

I was in the heart of Alaska at about 3500' elevation.

Beautiful country. When I an in the outdoors I usually carry some kind of revolver, but that is mostly because I like guns. I guess if I were in grizzly country I would want a .44.

Do salt water cats not have a bit of venom in those spines?

Charlie Noyes

I think they do, it sure felt like it had an excruciating venom! My poor wife may never recover from the horror of hearing my blasphemous outburst. Fortunately I do not to seem to have any long lasting infection. There have been five cases of flesh eating bacteria in my county this summer. I was more worried about that than the venom. Maybe I will wear my steel toe boots next trip.

[TripleF]

Got my butt kicked yesterday.......and didn't make it to the tree fort and deer stand.

One of the boys coaches, also a friend of their family, invited us to the back 40 of land that's being developed and cleared
to build new homes. There were some fires in the swatches they were clearing....

Anyhow, off to the fort we hiked, and the terrain was like freshly plowed field with 4 foot tall grass (first pic)......I was huffing and puffing.
About 15 minutes in, I said jokingly, as I was falling behind.....I might have to go back.....LOL
10 minutes later I weighed the possibility of making it to the destination, and then cramping up and NOT being able to make it back without
assistance. Yeah, I told the other parent......I'm heading back. When I got back to the car my legs were quivering.....

The boys achieved success and pics were taken.....

Back to coaches house for knot tying education.....my legs were AND STILL ARE SORE!!!

[treefarmer]

Scott, you're too young to be feelin' like that! Looks like the boys still had a good time. After the rains that might be a place to find an artifact or two, before they tear if up completely and cover it with houses. Those boys would love looking for flint. It'll also be a good place to pick up some fat wood.
Treefarmer

[Quick Steel]

Those tree creatures look mighty happy. And Scott, you did well in turning back. As Clint Eastwood, the well known philosopher said, "A man has got to know his limitations." And that is true irrespective of age.

[TripleF]

Saw my first Water Mocassin Thursday.....with 3 grands.



Tell me, you're not waiting for a pic?????

Well, he was guarding this body of water I spotted

[Old Hunter]

Had a great day fishing for billfish yesterday with several buddies. Spent the day trolling Diamond Shoals off Cape Hatteras; caught and released five Sailfish, hooked two Blue Marlin but couldn't hold them on the light tackle, and boated a nice Wahoo. For me personally, I caught my first billfish - what a day! OH

[TripleF]

Very cool Bruce!!!

[Paladin]

Very cool Bruce!!!

Yes sir! What Scott said.

Ray

[FRJ]

Great pictures, Bruce. Just like they came out of my old fishing books.
Congratulations on your catch.
A. J. McClane would shake your hand.

[Quick Steel]

Congratulations OH. That had to be a big thrill. Very happy for you.

[jmh58]

Congrats Bruce!!! Nothing like the first one!!! NICE!!! John

[Old Hunter]

Thanks gents - it was a Red Letter day for me. Here is a sight you don't see much - five sailfish flags flying on one boat - maybe a once in a lifetime day. OH

[garddogg56]

Congrats OH thats on my bucket list.Sum different then Bass and Trout

[CheckSix]

Thanks gents - it was a Red Letter day for me. Here is a sight you don't see much - five sailfish flags flying on one boat - maybe a once in a lifetime day. OH

I'll say!

That is AWESOME!

[Dinadan]

Thanks gents - it was a Red Letter day for me. Here is a sight you don't see much - five sailfish flags flying on one boat - maybe a once in a lifetime day. OH

Sounds like an incredible day! Great photos too. I was not aware of the use of flags to denote catch but it seems like a very cool idea.

[zp4ja]

Very cool Bruce. Thanks for sharing. Nothing cooler than an airborne fish on a hook. Sometimes trout do it, always a joy.
Jerry

[big monk]

Congrats Bruce !!!! ------------ or should we call you ""Old Fisherman "" now ???

[philco]

Bruce you have given us something to dream about. Thanks for sharing your adventure.

[Colonel26]

That's pretty awesome Bruce. Wow!

[Old Hunter]

Thanks guys, I'm still pretty high about it today - and realizing just how lucky I was to be a part of a day like that. Bruce