2019 Alaska Vacation Journal (44)
06/24/2019 / No Travel Day Talon Air Bear Viewing / Fishing
Start Location:
Start Time: N/A
Mileage: 54,282.3
Cost Per Night: $45.26 USD
Weather: 51 - 73 F Sunny
We took a thirty (30) minute float plane flight from the Kenai Peninsula to a popular Bear Viewing location, Wolverine Creek with the
Talon Air Services. We were paired with one other couple (Amod & Tammy) and our guide. While Paul and I enjoyed this trip. . . . . we were not ecstatic with our guide.
Not sure why, but he did not seem too pleased with me. Snide Remarks, which at first, I thought was just me overreacting. But later Paul stated that he noticed too. The fishing was just okay. Amod hooked four but only brought in one. Ace Fisherwoman, Tammy hooked a few and brought two large salmon aboard. Paul snagged three, but only netted one.
I did not catch anything ☹. Consequently, the guide snagged a salmon and handed me his pole. I was able to reel the fish in. However, I do not consider that a catch for me. Kind of made me feel like he thought that would be the only way for me to catch a fish. The day's fishing was harder for me because I was dead center in the boat and my ability to cast was cramped.
In my novice opinion, our guide moved the boat around, chasing the fish, a bit too frequently. We probably would had done a bit better if we just stayed in one spot longer. Also, our poles were set-up with a single hook. The other group, who caught their limit, were fishing with a “triple dog.”
Paul and I both learned a lot about this type of fishing/snagging, so you could say that we received a fishing lesson as an added bonus.
Regrettably, we really did not do too much bear viewing. We did see two brown bears (in separate locations) on the boat trip to the fishing spots and a big brown bear in the water on the ride back to the float plane. But we did not stick around to watch them very long.
The bald eagle viewing, however, was incredible! I watched them the entire time I fished. I learned that the baby bald eagles were all brown! I got a photo.
The staff on shore were amazing. Also, the float plane ride was worth the total cost of the event. The view from the air was breathtaking. Paul and I returned to the ‘Beast’ (RV) very tired.
Wildlife Spotted: Bald eagles including a baby; slow bunny; salmon; three brown bears.
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We Flew on the Green Trimmed Plane on the Left - Talon Air Services |
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Brown Bear We spotted on the Trip to Wolverine Creek |
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Beautiful Bald Eagle Sitting on a Fallen Tree |
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Eaglet Perched on Top of a Tall Pine |
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Paul Reeling in His Salmon |
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Snow Capped Mountains in the Background |
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Bear We Spotted on Our Boat Ride Back to the Float Plane |
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Glacier Seen from the Plane |
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Alaska Has More Than 12,000 Rivers |
2019 Alaska Vacation Journal