| It’s cooling off outside and I can tell the season is
slowly coming to an end. Just a couple of days ago I floated the Kenai
from Sportsman’s to the lower Skilak Lake campground exit. We saw some
beautiful trout in that river known for size and abundance and some
fattened up Dollies as well. There were hordes of spawned-out sockeye,
and even a few decaying kings remained. It was a pleasant day with the
rain holding off until the end of our float. The leaves are changing and
the air temperature is an easy 10 degrees cooler than it was only a week
ago.
Some Alaskans are dreading the bitter air, others are planning their
escapes to a far away beach, and others, including myself, can’t wait
for ice-over. Some Alaskans are pulling out their snow-machines, tuning
them up, and getting ready to ride. Many of you, unwilling to accept the
end of the great fishing season, are eagerly waiting to pull out your
shanties and tip-ups for the great sport of ice-fishing. When I go
outside in the Alaska winters for extended periods of time I need to be
moving to keep warm—so I am an avid skate skier. Marcus and I get out
almost everyday to ski the various trails at Kincaid and Hillside. It is
so crucial to have a winter activity in Alaska when the days are long,
cold and dark. If you can enjoy a variety of hobbies, that’s even
better. Personally, I love winter, for the aforementioned sport
addiction. I actually cheer as I slowly navigate the ice-paved streets
in December. How can I be bitter when in a few hours skiing will be
choice and powdery?
Alaska is a year-round playground for those who know how to enjoy
life to the fullest. More people definitely recognize Alaska as a
playground from May through September, but think of all the fun that
happens when the sun goes down and the snow falls like a blanket over
the earth. From the holidays to Fur Rondy to all the winter sports in
between—Alaska has just as much to offer in the winter as in the
summer—ice skating, snowboarding, dog mushing, you name it, not to
mention the multiple types of skiing available. And then I still have to
get in shape for snow-shoe softball.
For those of you who just hate winter and don’t have any activities
you are particularly interested in, feel free to read and reread every
copy of Fish Alaska, using us as entertainment to get you through until
summer, when the rivers and the fish are running again.
—Melissa Norris,
Publisher
A Note from the Publishers:
This year (2005) we will be exhibiting at the Anchorage Holiday, Food
& Gift Show at the Sullivan Arena on
Friday, November 11 from noon to 9 p.m., Saturday, November 12 from
10 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sunday, November 13 from noon to 6 p.m. Please
come see us and check out our special holiday gift baskets and our Free
Gift with Subscription Purchase. There is free parking available and fun
activities for kids.
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