Ok, I will try to update the blog now. Things have been real busy with my new job at Brockport, helping the basketball team, and fishing being pretty good around here. Anyways, I guess it is time to get back to posting on a regular basis. My goal is to try to get this blog to expand and get more people posting.
After the previous two days, we thought we had seen the best that Alaska had to offer. Wrong again. We woke up to a cold morning, a great breakfast, and the anticipation of fishing for giant wild rainbow trout on the world famous Moraine Creek. It seemed like it took forever to swallow our made-to-order breakfast and get rigged and ready for the day. Unfortunately the fog took a little while to burn off, so we had to wait patiently for the float plane to be able to land. After about a half an hour (which seemed like it took an eternity) the plane arrived and we were flying over the tundra and on our way. Moraine Creek is not only famous for its giant rainbows and abundant sockeye (literally millions of them), but it is also loaded with bears. As we approached for the landing on a small lake near the creek, our guide pointed out several bears roaming the edge of the stream. We unloaded and began the short walk across the tundra to the stream. About halfway to the creek, we were joined on our journey by a brown bear who was as eager as we were to go fishing. 
We gave the bear the right of way and then made our way down the slope to the famed river. We trudged across the fast-moving water to an exposed rock bar where we could put our rods together and get ready for the day. Our guide for the day, Jim, said this was the safest place to set up because a bear could not sneak up on us here, we had a clear 360 degree view. It didn't take long for a bear to come meandering our way. Jim just kept working on the rods while we were anxiously wondering if he even saw the bear headed towards us. Jim kept working, the bear kept closing in on us. When the bear got within 20 yards Jim decided we better try to "turn" the bear. "Turning" the bear consisted of yelling at the bear to move on, which did not work this time. The next step was to skip rocks near the bear in hopes that the bear would be startled by the unfamiliar noice, again this did not work. So, we made our way to the middle of the stream and let the bear pass. 
Now it was finally our turn to begin fishing.
We were 
rigged up with 5/6 weight fly rods and beads to immitate the millions of salmon eggs in the water. Carolynne got into position and made a cast while Jim and I watched. About half way through the drift, the strike indicator disappeared and she set the hook. As the fish felt the hook it instantly came out of the water eye-level with Carolynne. The fight continued for five long minutes and the fish was lead into the shallow water to be released. To quote Carolynne, "This is the most beautiful fish I have ever seen!" The wild rainbow trout measured 22 inches and was fat from eating eggs. The size, although world class, could not compare with the beauty. These leopard rainbows get their name because of the numerous black spots that cover their body. Some of these magnificent fish even have spots on their eye lids. 
The day continued with much 
of the same... bears fishing, eagles feeding on salmon scraps, thousands of bright red sockeye salmon, beautiful sunshine, and fishing for rainbow trout, arctic grayling, char, and salmon that can not be described. These fish fight harder and jump higher than you can imagine. Each one looks like it was painted by the hand of God. By day's end we had caught rainbows up to 29 inches and grayling up to 19 inches, all within close proximity to dozens of bears. Speaking of bears, we were able to observe many different ones doing many activities. We saw mothers with cubs fishing, 3 year olds learning how to fish on their own, and adult males who were expert fishermen claiming the best fishing spots and roaming the high banks of the stream. At one point during the day, I took a break from fishing and watched Carolynne hook a wild rainbow. The sun was shining and the sky was cloud free. As I looked around I was able to see seven different bears and an eagle sharing the experience with us. It is nice to know that their are places left on Earth that are this amazing. The day flew by and before long it was getting close to the time to leave. I continued to fish and found a nice school of salmon. As I peered into the water I faintly saw a large silver fish feeding behind them. I made several drifts before I got the right one... the fish turned towards the bead and sucked it in. I set the hook and proceeded to land another beautiful Moraine Creek rainbow. I released the fish, sat down on a rock and just took the rest of the time to take in the whole atmosphere. 
It was time to trek back to the lake and meet the float plane. As we sat and waited for the plane, we reflected on the awesome day we just had. It was a surreal experience. 
We gave the bear the right of way and then made our way down the slope to the famed river. We trudged across the fast-moving water to an exposed rock bar where we could put our rods together and get ready for the day. Our guide for the day, Jim, said this was the safest place to set up because a bear could not sneak up on us here, we had a clear 360 degree view. It didn't take long for a bear to come meandering our way. Jim just kept working on the rods while we were anxiously wondering if he even saw the bear headed towards us. Jim kept working, the bear kept closing in on us. When the bear got within 20 yards Jim decided we better try to "turn" the bear. "Turning" the bear consisted of yelling at the bear to move on, which did not work this time. The next step was to skip rocks near the bear in hopes that the bear would be startled by the unfamiliar noice, again this did not work. So, we made our way to the middle of the stream and let the bear pass. 
Now it was finally our turn to begin fishing.
We were 
rigged up with 5/6 weight fly rods and beads to immitate the millions of salmon eggs in the water. Carolynne got into position and made a cast while Jim and I watched. About half way through the drift, the strike indicator disappeared and she set the hook. As the fish felt the hook it instantly came out of the water eye-level with Carolynne. The fight continued for five long minutes and the fish was lead into the shallow water to be released. To quote Carolynne, "This is the most beautiful fish I have ever seen!" The wild rainbow trout measured 22 inches and was fat from eating eggs. The size, although world class, could not compare with the beauty. These leopard rainbows get their name because of the numerous black spots that cover their body. Some of these magnificent fish even have spots on their eye lids. The day continued with much 
of the same... bears fishing, eagles feeding on salmon scraps, thousands of bright red sockeye salmon, beautiful sunshine, and fishing for rainbow trout, arctic grayling, char, and salmon that can not be described. These fish fight harder and jump higher than you can imagine. Each one looks like it was painted by the hand of God. By day's end we had caught rainbows up to 29 inches and grayling up to 19 inches, all within close proximity to dozens of bears. Speaking of bears, we were able to observe many different ones doing many activities. We saw mothers with cubs fishing, 3 year olds learning how to fish on their own, and adult males who were expert fishermen claiming the best fishing spots and roaming the high banks of the stream. At one point during the day, I took a break from fishing and watched Carolynne hook a wild rainbow. The sun was shining and the sky was cloud free. As I looked around I was able to see seven different bears and an eagle sharing the experience with us. It is nice to know that their are places left on Earth that are this amazing. The day flew by and before long it was getting close to the time to leave. I continued to fish and found a nice school of salmon. As I peered into the water I faintly saw a large silver fish feeding behind them. I made several drifts before I got the right one... the fish turned towards the bead and sucked it in. I set the hook and proceeded to land another beautiful Moraine Creek rainbow. I released the fish, sat down on a rock and just took the rest of the time to take in the whole atmosphere. 
We now understood why when the other guests were asked where they wanted to go on their one flyout trip, they resoundingly and without hesitation said "Moraine!" This turned out to be our favorite destination also. Enjoy the pictures!
