Jane and I always appreciate the notes left behind from our guests. The thanks goes both ways. We feel honored that people chose to return, or came to visit us for the first time. Last week I promised you a 2024 season ending summary. A big part of the annual recap involves a whiteboard message compilation. A drum roll, …
The Dock Is Out
The season begins when the dock is put in. It’s a time of great optimism for the adventures that lie ahead. When the dock comes out, it’s a time of reflection. Was it a good season? Did we over sell what we do? Will king salmon runs rebound? Do I still enjoy eating a ham and cheese sandwich every day I’m on the river? And, …
Fishing Report Week Ending 8/4/24
It was a fun week fishing the Kenai River. I was able to spend quality time with long time friends, and make a few new ones too. The catching was pretty good also… Sunday morning Todd, Renee, and Ray kept me on my toes netting fish. Sunday afternoon was spent dipnetting with Steve Dan, and Joe (not …
Fishing Report Week Ending 7/21/24
It was a fun week of fishing. Great people and a strengthening run…what’s not to like about that? The week began with a trip with my son Mac, and his friends Hellen and Vern. What cracked me up about this trip is a fellow boater yelled at us and said, “hey, if you guys don’t settle down, Fish and Game is going to cite you …
Fishing Report Week Ending 7/7/24
I had July 5th circled on my calendar for a Homer saltwater trip for ling cod, yelloweye, black rockfish, and halibut. It’s the Upper Cook Inlet Grand Slam. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to get out. Mother Nature greeted us with 20mph winds and gusts to 35mph. This made traveling 60-90 miles out to the fishing grounds …
Fishing Report Week Ending 6/30/24
Without a Kenai River king fishery to participate in, I’m currently in a lull between the early red salmon run, and the late red salmon run. The closest freshwater salmon fishery that has been consistently good (sorry Russian River, this wasn’t your year) has been the Kasilof River, a mere 15 miles away from the …
Fishing Report Week Ending 6/23/24
Team Holtan/Matthies split up this past week. I went to the Russian River to fish for several days, and Jane went to Homer to fish the ocean. One of us had a lot more “catching” success than the other. For many years I’ve wanted to camp at the Russian River during the peak of the early red salmon run. There’s …
Happy Father’s Day
It’s been quite a week. Not so much for fishing, but for me personally. It began with my birthday on Monday, and ends with Father’s Day. This week included lots of time with friends enjoying dinners and barbecues (Ken and Michelle, I will dedicate an entire blogpost to the two of you in the off-season). I’m a …
Fishing Report Week Ending 6/9/24
Tuesday was the first day I ventured out on the Kenai River to try to catch a fish. The target species: Russian River bound red salmon passing through the lower river. Hellooo! Winner, winner, salmon dinner. It only took me three flips(casts) to catch my first river fish of the year. Yeah!!! The rest of the …
Friendship & Fishing
It was a great week of friendship and fishing. It began when the Ames Road neighborhood got together for a clam and halibut fry. Jane and I always look forward to summer gatherings like this. A special shout-out goes to Bill for flying to Polly Creek and digging all the clams. Next, my college buddy Jim, his partner …