On Thu, 22 Jun 2006 06:11:23 -0700, "Tom Nakashima"
wrote:

Anyone ever have to use it? Does it actually work?
Seems to me that would really ****-off a bear.

If you show up with bear spray on your trip, the guides will chuckle.
The bears in Alaska are used to humans, at least the bears you will
encounter along the river. I've heard that more people are attacked
by wild dogs in Alaska than bears. Bears are NOT a problem.

The guides on one of my trips actually chased a sow and her cubs off
of a little island in the middle of Moraine Creek so we could have our
lunch spot. http://hometown.aol.com/davplac/Alaska14-Aug04.html

You will be there during salmon spawn and that means the bears are
well fed. They have no interest in you as a food. Perhaps later or
earlier in the year when they don't have the salmon to fill their
bellies, but while you are there, they will be gorging themselves on
salmon. On several occasions, we walked past bears feeding and got as
close as 15 feet.

Tom, I know you have many concerns about your up-coming trip, but
don't worry about these things (bugs, bears). Rather, concentrate on
your clothing (warm as well as cool, waterproof jacket, a warm hat,
fingerless gloves to help with the cold water *and* the bugs),
equipment (6 to 8 weight with floating and sinking lines). If you are
not being guided by an Orvis endorsed outfit, try to bring your rods
and reels on the plane with you. I invested in 5, 6, 7, and 8 weight
travel rods and bring them aboard with me. Every Orvis lodge/outfit I
have used over the years have their own rods/reels/waders to be used
by sports who don't have their own equipment because the airline lost
it.. You will be fishing beads (salmon spawn), so I doubt you will
use any flies. However, I always bring a 5 weight and some dries
(Adams, Wulfs, Henryville Specials) to amuse myself after dinner
catching nice size grayling who will take a dry even during the spawn.

Bugs? Bring fingerless gloves, turtleneck cotton jersies, watch cap
that you can spray and pull over your ears, and use the bug spray the
guides use on any exposed surfaces.

Bears? Forgetaboutem. They won't bother you if you don't bother
them. Take a camera and get some up-close shots.

And, above all, have fun.

Dave