The Kulik River 2012

I was able to visit the Kulik River twice in 2012 during my break in rotation from Afghanistan.  The first trip, in September, was with my long-time Friend, Chris Pettine. It was a cold, clear night on the Kulik in September when Chris and I arrived.

There was a tremendous amount of rain through the Summer of 2012.  Consequently, the Kulik River was VERY high in the Fall of 2012.  It was certainly higher than I have ever seen it when Chris and I arrived. It was cold, snowy and windy on the day Chris and I were fishing.  Chris had injured his shoulder and was no longer enjoying the trip.  I was fortunate to catch two average Rainbow Trout on this trip.

John Hamilton and I returned to the Kulik River in mid-October.  Conditions could not have been more drastically different for the three days we were there.  It was sunny, warm and mostly calm.  In addition, the water had dropped about two feet, making fishing conditions MUCH better. This photo shows the morning fog lifting off the Kulik River.

It is a rare treat to find bright, sunny weather in October in Southwest Alaska.  This was one of those occasions. John and I pose for a photo-op above Kulik Lake.  The mountains and scenery around the Kulik River are amazing.

John and I encountered several Brown Bears on this trip to the Kulik River.  They were not aggressive at all, but they weren't reluctant to approach us either. This is a photo of a curious three-year-old that was very content to watch us fish.

The Rainbow Trout seemed very willing to take our Flesh Flies on this trip.  We didn't catch any larger than 23 inches, but there were lots from 20 - 22 inches. John shows a nice 22 inch Rainbow Trout he has caught.

I was able to catch a few as well. Here I am about to release a 20+ inch Rainbow Trout.

This Mama Bear with her two Cubs were around the Kulik River for all three days that we were there.  They were not shy, at all.  It was entertaining to watch their interaction. Mama would catch a Salmon, then the two little Guys would growl and fight over the scraps that she gave them.

This shot is of the same three-year-old watching John wade past. This Bear later pounced upon a Sockeye Salmon that I landed just downstream from where John is standing.

Sockeye Salmon are considered to be very difficult to catch.  However, when they get established on their spawning beds, they can be extremely aggressive. This is one of several Sockeye Salmon that hammered the Flesh Fly that I was using.  At one spot, I caught seven Sockeye Salmon in seven casts - I finally moved away from that spot!

The Rainbow Trout on the Kulik River have some of the most beautiful colors of any of the Rainbow Trout I have ever caught.  Fish with these colors are often called Leopard Rainbow Trout. John is releasing this beautiful Kulik River Rainbow Trout.

I haven't seen very many, but every once in a while we catch a Lake Trout on the Kulik River.  On this occasion, I was actually just dragging my Flesh Fly behind me as I waded through a slow, deep pool when this Lake Trout grabbed it. This Lake Trout was about 24 inches long.  They can get much, much larger, but I haven't ever caught them any larger than this one.

Of course, a trip to the Kulik River would not be complete without John showing his expertise with a Deer Hair Mouse.  I have caught a few with this technique, as well, but John really seems to have a knack for it. These Rainbow Trout usually miss when they strike at a Deer Hair Mouse, but they keep coming back, so it is typical to get three or four strikes before the hook-up.  Not easy, but a very fun way to fish.

On our return trip back to Anchorage, John took this beautiful photo of Mount Iliamna as we flew by. I never tire of the majestic beauty that this State has to offer.  I am very grateful that I have been blessed with the opportunity to see so much of it.