Alaska Peninsula- Pumice Creek Lodge September 7 to 14

For the 30th straight year, I was fortunate to fish the Alaska Peninsula for silver (coho) salmon.  Years ago, I went to Pumice Creek Lodge and fished the Cinder River for silvers and Lava Creek for arctic char.  This year I was joined by friends Cole Lundquist, Vince Ippolito, and Ross Brewer.  The Cinder River in my opinion is the best silver fishing in the world with days of over 100 cohos landed per person.  On Day 1 the Cinder again lived up to expectations as I landed 102 silvers using 7/8 oz metallic flo. red pixee spoons.  The silvers were just starting to pour into the river and have not yet stack up, but the fishing was excellent throughout the week

Pumice Creek Lodge owner, Gary LaRose and head guide Rudy McPherran always put us on the fish.  They have become great friends over the years.  This is the last season the lodge will be open for sportfishing as after 50 yrs in the guiding business, Gary has decided to take life easy.
The Cinder has totally changed it's flow since last season.  Many of the hotspots are now sandbars.  The water this season was extremely low and the weather in Alaska has been above average.  Twice during the week we fished Lava Creek for arctic char.  The first trip was average with about 65 char landed and the 2nd trip was downright poor as it seemed as the char disappeared.

We wade Lava Creek tossing small spinners on light rods which makes for a good battle.  All of the guys in the group really enjoyed themselves.  I want to reach out to Lava Creek Lodge.  The lodge is in their first season and is built on a small lagoon on the banks of the Cinder River.  It has 4 guest cabins and 1 main dining room.  One evening after fishing on the Cinder, the winds start to guest to over 60mph so we were stranded on the river.  With the windchill below freezing and the ever threat of brown bears we were fortunate that Lava Creek Lodge took us in and gave us housing and a great meal!  Thanks as it could have been a nightmare sleeping in the bushes!
Over the years I have been great friends with Gary and Rudy.  I cannot thank them enough for all the great memories I have been so blessed to receive.  Pumice Creek Lodge has set the bar too high so this will be my last trip to this Great Land.  Alaska will be sorely missed!