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Helicopters verses Float Planes

“AHHHH!!! You’d never get me in one of those machines”. “Those things don’t glide very well”. “ I’ve had enough time in those contraptions in the army”. “ I got shot down in one of those things”. These phrases and more are what I commonly hear when I travel around selling trips..

In Alaska’s “road less” back country, one must travel by air or boat. Aircraft have the advantage of offering fishing variety and options when the fishing might be slow in one area and hot in another. Most Alaskan fly out lodges utilize float planes. When traveling to Alaska, on a fishing excursion, most anglers visualize stepping off a float plane on a wilderness lake and casting to thousands of salmon. Many Alaskan lodges are located on the large lake systems of Bristol Bay. This area is ideal for float flying, however, float planes need large areas to land, therefore, if there is good fishing, expect to share your waters with other lodges. Read More…

Couple’s week

After a successful test run in 2009, Talaheim Lodge will again offer a “couples wine tasting week”. Each couple will have their own cozy guest cabin and their own guide each day. We’ll concentrate on teaching fly fishing techniques, fly tying, and presentation. Each evening we returned to the lodge to enjoy a great meal and two new wines.

Not only do we concentrate on great fishing, but we offer side trips with our helicopters to glaciers and mountain peaks. In July, our summer here in Alaska is at its peak. We can have very warm weather, even swimming temperatures. There are plenty of salmon just arriving in our rivers and the bears, wolves, and eagles are actively seeking their first abundant protein for the year. We see lots of animals, enjoy the 24 hour daylight, and experience great angling.

Just flying over Alaska’s beautiful countryside by helicopter is a panoramic dream come true. Enjoy gourmet streamside meals. Day float a river that rarely is seen by other anglers.

At the home front, Talaheim Lodge, you will enjoy gourmet home style cooked meals, local delights, plus cozy modern log cabins, river side hot tub, even a sauna. In house talent will play guitar and sing old favorites. Talaheim Lodge is a family owned business, run by Alaskans. Share Mark Miller’s 40 years of tales flying, guiding, and living in the Alaskan wilderness.

If you wish a destination to bring a best friend or wife, please consider our Talaheim Lodge couple’s week.

Sincerely,

Mark Miller owner of Talaheim Lodge.

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas from Mark and Felicia Miller of Talaheim Lodge.  We hope you find the new year a healthy and prosperous one.  Keep in touch with any fishing desires.

Appreciate What You Have!

A letter written from New Zealand to my guide Scott

Scott, Last night Felicia and I passed through a small town in the south island and joined the locals in watching a display of fireworks that was some sort of celebration reflecting back 100 years when some idiot tried to blow up city hall. We ended the evening at an old English style pub talking to many locals….it’s a gold mining town and most of the locals are employed at the local mine.

There was a young girl that Felicia was talking to. She had huge very impressive breasts and was very proud of them. What has this story got to do with fishing in New Zealand? Keep reading….

I had just one chance at fishing fresh water so far. We camped along a medium sized river the other night and I threw a fly for about one hour…nothing. The next morning early I got up and fished about three holes that looked like they held fish. This stream was extremely slippery and New Zealand law does not allow felt bottoms, so I had purchased rubber sandals. Ten minutes on the river I slammed by knee on a rock and then proceeded in wading like a scared old man. I happened to look up and saw a big brown trout giving me the middle fin as he slowly slipped away. I don’t think I had the right flies and I didn’t have any weights to get my wrong flies down. All the stores here close on Saturday and Sundays, besides, we were way out in the middle of the forest.

I returned to the camper van, where I drew some water for Felicia, told her politely to get out of bed, and I would make coffee. I leaned my rod on the camper, she slid the door open and shortened it by about ten inches. End of fishing for the day. I made a repair and now my 7 ½ foot #5 weight is a 6 ½ foot 4.5 weight. Works OK. It’s the skill of the thrower, not the length of the rod.

OK, still what does this letter have to do with a young girl with large beautiful breasts and a shorter rod?

We sometimes travel half way around the world in search of better fishing. New Zealand is without a doubt very beautiful, however, I can tell right now that the fishing is nothing like Alaska. These streams for the most part are gin clear, contain little river like creatures. Our rivers in Alaska are full of life and contain much food that in turn can support lots of trout, char, you name it. Here if I caught a few nice browns in a day, I’d be happy, but before I left home, Frank and I went up river by boat and in a few hours I caught ten rainbow on a mouse…average 18 inches, probably four at 20 or above. We forget what we have at home when we dream about something bigger….I mean different. I have a woman here that might have smaller boobs than the one in the pub, but for some odd reason she loves me and hangs around with me no matter where I find myself on a venture. Boobs and fishing therefore are about similar…I have familiar territory that loves and me and supplies me with abundance, so why think about traveling 6000 miles for something better….OK perhaps a short adventure, but not better.

I do miss home…

Why Are we Fishing Guides?

Looking back upon my 32nd season as an Alaska lodge owner and fishing guide, I often wonder why this was the path of occupation I’ve chosen. Being a fishing and hunting guide has just been an excuse to be in the wilderness that I love so dearly. Making a living in the wilderness as a lodge owner offers a challenge not found in most occupations.

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