Rick Birch and a big buck rainbow from a cold day in April. This was our first rainbow of the season. We were quite amazed at its girth for a spring fish. What a great way to start the season.

Near the end of the float, Marcus Weiner lands a nice fish. Good day to break in the Clackacraft drift boat.

Don't let Troy fool you into thinking 2006 was an off year for him. Look at that laker! That wading jacket is now officially the "laker jacket," mostly from the slime left after hugging this big trout.

Al Lindemann and the year's first king salmon (above). This one was eaten before the week was up. During that day trolling for kings with Rod Van Saun, we hooked and landed two 70-pound halibut. You can imagine our excitement as we thought both times that we had hooked monster kings. Fighting a flatfish on lighter tackle in shallow water is a reel howl and is my preferred method for filling the freezer.

Melissa Norris and the fish of the trip that she caught on the Nushagakfishing with the Csonka crew and Mike Addiego of Bristol Bay Adventures. Look for this article in 2007 and on the North To Alaska show. The Chinook won the big fish category in the Larry and Marcus vs. Audrey and Melissa fishing tournament (girls vs. boys).