If I were 30 years old again and wanted to work on my tan these past few years would have been perfect. The problem is that I am not and I run a one man guide & outfitter service in the greater Mat Su Basin.
There are fore casted rains for Wednesday night July 20 through Saturday the 23rd. At this time rain, hard rains would be a blessing. Regardless of what the weather page online says it is 10:15 AM and already 70 degrees at my home and certainly the same at the cabin out on Hewitt Lake.
The glacial rivers are running crazy high due to the melting of our precious ice but any and all streams and small rivers within my scope of travel are essentially drying up and getting dangerously warm.
I was able to boat one medium size river yesterday and did catch 4 species of salmon along with 5 nice rainbows but I did so wearing a pair of Columbia water shorts, sandals and at times a T shirt. Most of the afternoon I left the shirt in the boat as well.
I'll be back out tomorrow so I can have first hand accounting of the dropping water levels and will remember to take my stream thermometer with. The water is warm enough that when I took a dip yesterday (because I was dressed for it) there was no exhilarating shock when you just took the plunge. Nice if you're looking to swim around but bad news for those attired in their Simms G-4 waders and other fishing finery. It's hot here.
I have trips to do but my normal destination is off the list of possibilities because of severe lack of water; too low for a jet boat.
SO if you are headed this way my advice is to pack for both tropical and cool northern weather conditions. Tie your flies smaller than you normally would because the flows are low and be prepared to make changes to destination plans based on conditions at your arrival.
Not a pretty picture but it's what's happening at this time.
Ard
There are fore casted rains for Wednesday night July 20 through Saturday the 23rd. At this time rain, hard rains would be a blessing. Regardless of what the weather page online says it is 10:15 AM and already 70 degrees at my home and certainly the same at the cabin out on Hewitt Lake.
The glacial rivers are running crazy high due to the melting of our precious ice but any and all streams and small rivers within my scope of travel are essentially drying up and getting dangerously warm.
I was able to boat one medium size river yesterday and did catch 4 species of salmon along with 5 nice rainbows but I did so wearing a pair of Columbia water shorts, sandals and at times a T shirt. Most of the afternoon I left the shirt in the boat as well.
I'll be back out tomorrow so I can have first hand accounting of the dropping water levels and will remember to take my stream thermometer with. The water is warm enough that when I took a dip yesterday (because I was dressed for it) there was no exhilarating shock when you just took the plunge. Nice if you're looking to swim around but bad news for those attired in their Simms G-4 waders and other fishing finery. It's hot here.
I have trips to do but my normal destination is off the list of possibilities because of severe lack of water; too low for a jet boat.
SO if you are headed this way my advice is to pack for both tropical and cool northern weather conditions. Tie your flies smaller than you normally would because the flows are low and be prepared to make changes to destination plans based on conditions at your arrival.
Not a pretty picture but it's what's happening at this time.
Ard
