Wow, Can you tell that Scott was just on the river! Lucky SOB!
Well. The Great Alaskan Guide, Pilot and Campdog Get Together has come and gone. It was so great to see the guys again. I had not seen many since 1993 or longer! It looked like many could be back on the river again. (just maybe not for as long! It was so good to see Gary Kheen again! He drove up from Wisconsin. He lives in the heart of Wisconnies Turkey and trout fishing lands and looks like next year I know where my spring trip will be! Scott Schumacher flew in from Livingston MT. Where he was getting ready to head north to the copper River Lodge in AK. Where he is the Boss! He already has his guides tan! He had been busy teaching guide school in Montana. Bob White has just got back from Argentina, and had barely washed the fish slime off his hands, but he made it back for the Party! I see Bobs Artwork on just about every Flyfishing Magazine out now. I can say that I knew him back when before he was famous. Scott Struif, man what can you say. Celebrity Guide, he is the one and only! If I had to spend a day on the water with a guide it would be hard not to choose "Tank" I know that I would not even have to fish to enjoy myself! Joe Jones Jr. was a surprise guest, although health issues have slowed him down, he was still able to be there and to see his smile as he showed his pictures and told his stories was all worth it to me. I will never forget Joe and I catching King on the Nush, enjoying a can of Pepsi and laughing like we were nuts! Rob "The knob" Larson is now Married and has a daughter! He is coming off of a health Issue also, where Doc's took a tumor off of his Quad. He may be a little slower now, but speed has little to do with fishing, I prove that every day! It was damn good to see him! Freddie Ardoff and his lovely wife, Wow buddy! She is way to good looking for a lowly guide like you! Steve Laurent, flew in from Ellensberg, he is busy preparing to open up BBL in the mext month or so! As well as keeping a watchful eye on my sister, Melissa! Speaking of Sisters! Michelle flew in from Tarboro NC, and spent the week with the family. Heather the Massage therapist from BBL, was there and basically realized that all guides are crazy. Andy Burton, my old guiding partner and his wife, Elizabeth was there. Andy man, it had been to long. we definately need to keep in touch, I still owe you for keeping that damn bear off my back. as well as the great shore lunches you made. Heavy D! Darren Gallion also flew in from Washington State, where he is a Fishery Biologist with the U. S. Fish and Game Department. It had been way to long my friend! Scott Thorpe was there, I had never met Scott before, could not place him. then as we talked and he mentioned the names that brought back floods of memories and circles of friends that shape a lifetime of wonderous moments of work and fishing. His love of steelheading and the flyrod and how he had quit his job as an archetech, a job he had had for 30 years so he could fullfil a lifelong dream of being an Alaskan Fishing Guide, I knew he had found the right party.
For those who were there Thanks You, I had a ball. For those who could not make it, It was a great time and hopefully down the line when we try this again I truely hope you can make it.
Spike
Missy! Wish you were here!
