Happy New Year!

Wishing all of you a prosperous 2015.

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas, Hanukkah and/or Festivus (for the rest of us).

Sockeye Salmon Forecast 2015

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game has released the 2015 Upper Cook Inlet sockeye salmon forecast.   The total run is projected to be 5.8 million.  Of that run, the escapement goal is 2.1 million. That leaves an expected harvest for all user groups to be 3.7 million.  If this harvest is met it will equal the 20 year average.

This is good news for commercial, sport, and dip net user groups.   I'm waiting with bated breath for the 2015 king salmon forecast.  As soon as it's released I will report on it.  Fingers crossed...

Fun from 2014

Will Robertson is a riot.

Expert pink and silver salmon slayer, joke teller extraordinaire, master of the bar-b-cue, and all around great guy.  He is one of the many reasons why the even years on the Kenai River are the best for me.

Will took this selfie on the deck of the Sockeye cabin just before he departed. I'm sure this is the same face that his patients see every day (and the same angle?).   With a mischievous grin and a twinkle in his eyes, I can hear Will say, "alrighty then, what do we have here..."

So, do you think the fruit falls far from the tree?  Will took this photo of his son, Kelly.  Hook 'Em Horns, Alaska-style.

Thanks Will, for the use of your photos and for being a regular at Beaver Creek Cabins.  Jane and I look forward to seeing you again in 2016!

Cyber Monday

I'm not exactly known for being cutting edge or "with the times".   No Facebook, no Twitter, just this antiquated blog to get my thoughts out.  So, with that in mind, I figure it's time to do what the cool and smart kids have been doing for nine years (Cyber Monday debuted in 2005).

Here's the deal.  For one week, starting on Cyber Monday (12/1/14), any new reservations for fishing or lodging will be discounted 15%.   As my dad would say, "that's a heck of a deal!"

Happy Thanksgiving

photo courtesy of Francis Estalallia

It's Thanksgiving week which means the Holtan household is busy getting ready for the big day. Turkey to buy, pies to be made, trying to figure out who will and who won't make it are just a few of the preparations for Thursday.

Remember, whoever is or isn't at your table this year, be thankful.  I know I am.

Polar Vortex

Write your own caption....