Arolik River Alaska (questions)
 

Tom, I've been to the Arolik the last two summers. Once in late July,
once in late August.
Niether trip were bears much of an issue at all. This last trip we did
in late August for Silvers, we didn't see any. But the river was high
and most carcasses were washed away. I think the bears were out hunting
berries. More bear action during the king run when the water is lower.
The bears are hunted so they shy away from humans very quickly from my
experience. Definatley take appropriate firearm(s). I've done three
trips with PaPa Bear. Steve & the crew there, are great. PS this is my
first time here at this forum. -Tim Bermingham

Tom Nakashima wrote:
Has anyone here fished the Arolik River, Alaska?
My friend and I are heading up there in July, would be interested in
listening to whatever information one can provide.
thanks,
-tom

Arolik River Alaska (questions)
 

wrote in message
oups.com...
Tom, I've been to the Arolik the last two summers. Once in late July,
once in late August.
Niether trip were bears much of an issue at all. This last trip we did
in late August for Silvers, we didn't see any. But the river was high
and most carcasses were washed away. I think the bears were out hunting
berries. More bear action during the king run when the water is lower.
The bears are hunted so they shy away from humans very quickly from my
experience. Definatley take appropriate firearm(s). I've done three
trips with PaPa Bear. Steve & the crew there, are great. PS this is my
first time here at this forum. -Tim Bermingham

Tom Nakashima wrote:
Has anyone here fished the Arolik River, Alaska?
My friend and I are heading up there in July, would be interested in
listening to whatever information one can provide.
thanks,
-tom


Ah Tim welcome to ROFF and thank you for all your information.
I met Steve at the Sportsman Show in San Mateo, CA. last weekend. Sometimes
you get a feel for people, whether they're there to take your money or offer
an honest trip. I got good vibes from Steve, very knowledgeable about
fly-fishing Alaska. I'll be going with Jim O who fished the Arolik last
year and has the river down pretty well, but as you know fishing is a hit or
miss. Jim is also a law enforcement officer and did pack a peace to stop a
grizzly.
-tom

Arolik River Alaska (questions)
 

On Fri, 20 Jan 2006 08:37:11 -0800, "Tom Nakashima"
wrote:

Jim is also a law enforcement officer and did pack a peace to stop a
grizzly.

I hope it is a BIG peace (sic). I've been to Alaska a couple of times
(2004 and 2005), as well as Kamchatka (that has more and bigger
bears), and have never come even close to having trouble with them.

In 2004 I was surrounded by them - upstream, downstream, and on both
banks of Margot Creek. The guide talked to them and we walked by them
without any troubles.

I am told, by several people, that more people die from wild dogs in
Alaska than bears.

If you do not startle them, i.e. come upon them by surprise, they will
keep their distance. If you see one, just start talking to him/her.
"Hey, bear" is a good opener. d;o)

Go to: http://hometown.aol.com/davplac/Alas...humbnails.html
for some pix of bears and fish taken on Moraine, Margot Creeks, and
the Kamishack River, all in the Katmai area of Alaska where the bears
are very prevalent.

BTW, if your friends shoots a bear, he had better hope he kills it
with the first shot, because otherwise he will have a very ****ed off
bear to deal with. No guides that I know of carry weapons while fly
fishing.

Dave

Arolik River Alaska (questions)
 

On Fri, 20 Jan 2006 13:34:45 -0500, Dave LaCourse
wrote:

No guides that I know of carry weapons while fly
fishing.

Forgot to add: In 2004, someone killed a bear on Funnel Creek. Fish
and Wildlife, as well as the Alaskan State Police began a search for
the person(s). If caught, they will probably spend time in jail.

Arolik River Alaska (questions)
 

"Dave LaCourse" wrote in message
...
On Fri, 20 Jan 2006 08:37:11 -0800, "Tom Nakashima"
wrote:

Jim is also a law enforcement officer and did pack a peace to stop a
grizzly.

I hope it is a BIG peace (sic). I've been to Alaska a couple of times
(2004 and 2005), as well as Kamchatka (that has more and bigger
bears), and have never come even close to having trouble with them.

In 2004 I was surrounded by them - upstream, downstream, and on both
banks of Margot Creek. The guide talked to them and we walked by them
without any troubles.

I am told, by several people, that more people die from wild dogs in
Alaska than bears.

Jim and his son were pretty lucky on the Arolik last year in that all they
got were two mosquito bites.


If you do not startle them, i.e. come upon them by surprise, they will
keep their distance. If you see one, just start talking to him/her.
"Hey, bear" is a good opener. d;o)

Jim was telling me the thing to do is make lots of noise, because the
Alaskan Bears fear people. That's what he did last year and the bear just
took off. Thanks for the tip, if I see one I think I'll be too nervous to
talk.


Go to: http://hometown.aol.com/davplac/Alas...humbnails.html
for some pix of bears and fish taken on Moraine, Margot Creeks, and
the Kamishack River, all in the Katmai area of Alaska where the bears
are very prevalent.

Very nice photos Dave, I like the one of the two bears in Mock Combat. You
got me pretty jazzed now, I'm really looking forward to this trip to Alaska,
my first time there.


BTW, if your friends shoots a bear, he had better hope he kills it
with the first shot, because otherwise he will have a very ****ed off
bear to deal with. No guides that I know of carry weapons while fly
fishing.

Do you think ****ing off a bear is worst than ****ing of a fellow ROFFian?
-tom

Arolik River Alaska (questions)
 

Dave LaCourse wrote:

BTW, if your friends shoots a bear, he had better hope he kills it
with the first shot, because otherwise he will have a very ****ed off
bear to deal with. No guides that I know of carry weapons while fly
fishing.

Steve at Papa Bear carries a 44 magnum. The one guided party we ran into
on the Kanektok carried a shotgun. On the pack trips I've done in the
Bob Marshall (grizzly country) the wranglers packed a shotgun.

--
Cut "to the chase" for my email address.

Arolik River Alaska (questions)
 

Dave LaCourse typed:
snip
If you see one, just start talking to him/her.
"Hey, bear" is a good opener. d;o)

Old standbys:
What's a nice bear like you. . .
My friend thinks you're cute.
You got the time?

Untried:
You look kinda grizzly.
Wanna cut a rug?
I'd *love* to see you all bear.
What's bruin?
--
TL,
Tim
------------------------
http://css.sbcma.com/timj/

Arolik River Alaska (questions)
 

Dave LaCourse wrote:
...
No guides that I know of carry weapons while fly
fishing.

No guides that I know of in the Absaroka-Beartooth
Wilderness would venture out without a shotgun.
The weapon of choice was a 12 gauge loaded with
alternating shells of 00 buckshot and deer slugs.

Don't leave camp without it.

--
Ken Fortenberry

Arolik River Alaska (questions)
 

"Dave LaCourse" wrote in message
...
On Fri, 20 Jan 2006 13:34:45 -0500, Dave LaCourse
wrote:

No guides that I know of carry weapons while fly
fishing.

Forgot to add: In 2004, someone killed a bear on Funnel Creek. Fish
and Wildlife, as well as the Alaskan State Police began a search for
the person(s). If caught, they will probably spend time in jail.



Think I rather get eaten by a bear then reamed in an Alaskan jail cell,
heard the state had the greatest Male to Female ratio.
Better call Jim to pack the hollow points and a picnic basket.
-tom

Arolik River Alaska (questions)
 

"Tom Nakashima" wrote in message
...

...Do you think ****ing off a bear is worst than ****ing of a fellow
ROFFian?

Hm......

Typically, a bear will only maul you once......and (assuming you live
through it) you've got a pretty good idea of what's been done to you.

Wolfgang