2008, Year of the Cousin's

In 2000 my brother Steve and I decided to take my dad to Alaska for his 70th birthday. It was a trip of a lifetime for him and we have never have never looked back. We learned a lot from our first trip and both Steve and I have have returned every 2 years to take advantage of the terrific salmon fishing. My Uncle Jerry was one of the my early fishing mentors. Living in Idaho, it was often years between our visits. When I was young he gave me an old tackle box full of baits (boy I wish I had them today!). This sealed my love for fishing and Uncle Jerry. Over the years my time with Jerry was usually short and intense. In planning our trip for 2006 we decided it was time to get him to Alaska. His son Mark had just moved to Anchorage, he had retired, and just turned 70, just like dad did 6 years earlier. We finally got a commitment for what turned out to be the trip of a lifetime for all of us.

This is a picture of him holding a very nice Humpback (pink) Salmon on the Kenai River. My good friend Jeff King (http://www.jeffkingfishing.com/) made our trip memorable by helping us with our fishing needs. The reason I am writing about Uncle Jerry is that I was just putting the final touches on our 2008 trip. Although I wish Jerry was coming with us again, he will be in our hearts and if we are really lucky we'll send some fish back for him (I know we can ship Humpy's to him!). This year trip is the Year of the Cousin's, with myself, brother Steve, cousin Mark, Greg, and Paul. My uncles are really excited to see us guys, in our 50's still sticking together as though we were 12 again. It makes them feel young as well. I have some great pictures and memories and look forward to sharing them in the future. Just remember what they say ............................................Alaska, before you die.