Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Friday, August 27, 2010

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

THE List

There we were, at the confluence of the pungo and togiak, rain pounding the canopy we put over the tent's rain fly. Pablo has dispensed muscle relaxers and in a haze of damp, fatigued brilliance, we analyzed and I catalogued in the fish journal all the gear needs from what had been a gear challenging trip.


Verbatim:

"1. Dry fleece top and bottom to wear in tent at end of wet days. 2. someway to keep water from come down from wet right hand/glove to elbow/sleeve of rt arm. 2. water proof down jacket to wear after fishing. don't need down vest- the layer I had this trip (base layer, wind stopper zip fleece, wading jacket and HH) kept me warm. 3. Extra set of wading wool socks and liners for when first set get wet. 4. 4 weather, heavy duty rain tent so don't have to put kelty over tent- that way you can use kelty for cooking and gear could back it up for back door of tent and store gear und in rain [bring tent and bag in AK airs free checked bag (seperate dry bag)- bigger wheeled dry bag. Put clean dry garments etc into zip lock bag (by day?) stowed in the personal dry bag. 6. LED lantern to suspend from top of tent and kelty (?) for light. 7. and may need 3 meltal bowls, 3 mugs and tops to bowls and 1 pot for water and larger frying pan- eat off paper and burn do no dishes- only mugs and spoons. Jet boil could replace stove, unless you want fish. Back packing food was good- still 2 much food. Bring the clear water jug (7 gallons - purify once and done). Way to pee at night in tent- Pablo says cam more has a "privey" that works. 6. Bear spray holster. 7. Hero cam or other h20 proof hd vid- 8. lace up back support- (jared had one on kvichak)... Since your bringing a check bag- check a 44 cal. Jb's buddy randy has the type. Light, stainless steel 16 clip with hollow points and shoulder holster. and or flare gun... does a flare round exist? Bear fence with better battery? 8. Better reel! 9. fly boxes, one spool of 10 or 15 lb. get a sersa tip so IF you want to go away from dolly you can get other flys down. just jet boil (2) and table, mugs and spoons- paper bowls thats it? No fishing shirt- only one for sunny, warm day. Water proof video camera- hero cam on hat w/ easy on-off button, zoom in. better camp chairs w/ wbbing bottom and backs/ better towels (tech towels?). Could a better Kelty have bug enclosures on sides? oar rights put in if needed and take off and store for next trip. Better balaclava- wind stopper fleece like clazier glove- mesh around ears so you can hear bears. better ear plugs- those rubber type / round ones. - night bag for everything in tent. New ply pro thin liners, back up rod and reel with versa tip- don't even un pack, only if bear front line rod. Fish w/ dolly lama on floating line (versa tip). Lot less med stuff and better organized stuff that likely wont use. Separate bag in dry bag w/ stuff not likely to use. Propane dryer or heater thing"

THERE YOU HAVE HER! Unfortunately I can't remember the brilliant idea Hondo had when he woke up at 3 am and was showing me how his droid had a flashlight application on it. It may have been the propane dryer or heater thing. Funny to see how the hand writing keeps getting worse. Definitely need to add muscle relaxers to the list- Pablo, better renew that prescription.

Definitely need to bring only 2 fly boxes and just a few types of flies. I definitely only want one spare reel and keep it packed away, sheesh, had like four reels rolling around the bag the whole flipping time. I'm definitely definite about those changes.

Ok, so I've got the new liners, but now realize I need another pair for in the tent and JB's got a new balaclava- other than that, it's every Whore for himself and only 11 months to go, better get out your mice an click or start frequenting the fish/ outdoor supply stores late at night that are not on your way home.

Oh, and if we end up taking some rookies- no sharing gear lists- got a have few laughs when they break out their stuff!

Untitled from Mick Berry on Vimeo.

AK '10 snippet

Thought I'd post at least a short snippet or two of our recent excursion. May be awhile before the full length film is released.... anybody.. anybody..

Beauty Day on the Blank River from John Berry on Vimeo.


Release from John Berry on Vimeo.

Friday, August 13, 2010

Copy That

I'm suffering bro's. Can't handle reality. (is this reality? I doubt it) Reality was on the river, nothing in my head except the next cast and surviving the bears. No worries. I am amazed at the power in that. I forget all when I'm out there.
Now I'm back, no rushing river outside my tent to fall asleep to, I kept hearing the distant roar of the Beaver engine.. I'm am slowly going insane.....

Alaska Blues

No matter how bad the weather, how invasive the bears, even how poor the fishing (it was great this year) I suffer the Togiak blues when we get back from the great wilderness.