I Went to the Woods

Adam Krick and I last talked about Afognak Elk, this time we discuss learning the spring black bear game. We talk the key elements of learning how to find, stalk and track black bear, and how quality bacon is the key ingredient for bear breakfast sausage.

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"Weird" "strange" and "crazy" are some of the most used words these days. This is because there really isn't anything else to describe what's going on and using a thesaurus to find a synonym doesn't really make anything better. I escaped my pandemic-induced lethargic week of distance teaching with a weekend in the woods chasing grouse, setting up game cameras and setting shrimp pots. It was another reminder of how important it is to have something to recharge the batteries. Some might call it "self care" others might call it "getting away" or "just being Alaskan." No matter what the preferred phrase, the point is the act of unplugging. I also talk about my favorite way to eat grouse - in popper form.

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Before his role in Netflix's teen drama Outer Banks, Ketchikan High School graduate ('16) Rudy Pankow was washing dishes from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. at the Cheesecake Factory to make ends meet while pursuing his dream in Hollywood. I talk to my former student about the struggles, seeing through the fake, staying focused, and how the thought of not letting his home town down motivated him through the dry periods.

Fairbanks resident Steven Shannon and I talk about his spring caribou, the future of the 2020 Alaska hunting season and teaching in this weird time.

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Ketchikan resident Larry Jackson and I discuss charter fishing, the economic impact of Covid-19 on education, political divisiveness, being informed, where we go from here, and what the summer will look like.

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Yesterday I finished my 14-day travel quarantine so now I am allowed to move about the city to buy my own necessities. In this episode I talk about my new freedom, the reconstructing my personal history to remember a particular brown trout and how tragic events proved to be motivators which made me live with more purpose.

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Alex Ramirez and Dave Schonzeit are the hosts of the Beer, Fly Fishing and Food podcast out of California. I fished the Yuba River with Alex last week so the three of us talk dry fly fishing, why striper fishing is maybe their current favorite, fly fishing icons, history, technology and of course, a little food and beer.

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A lot changed while I was in California trout fishing this past week, but I am home now, a half day into my 14-day quarantine. My buddy Dean returned from a school trip in Portugal a week ago, so I get tips from him about coping with the isolation. We talk about being ethical, hindsight, appreciating friends willing to grocery shop, what we miss about March and the importance of wearing shoes.

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Fly fishing for steelhead is one of my all-time favorite things. In this episode I talk about the latest trip to the river, what I use, why I use it, and why what I use shouldn't necessarily dictate what you do. Casting style and individual taste should drive what you end up buying but I do offer some advice regarding southeast Alaska set ups for steelhead and why I bought a 6-weight for trout fishing. As far as flies go, what I can't tie myself I get from Alaska Fly Fishing Goods in Juneau.

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According to yesterday's weather, spring is getting close and with it the chance to catch steelhead, camp, hike and hunt bear and grouse. According to the Internet, however, we are doomed. President Trump or socialism, or authoritarian governments, or climate change, or coronavirus, or guns, or not having guns will lead to our demise if we don't act now. So there is something to be said for living in a place with enough to distract you from the miserable world portrayed by miserable people online. It's not that those things don't matter, it's that with only so many hours and so much energy, it's not a sin to have a little fun.

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