Outdoors with John Perkovich
Wow! Can you believe this weather? It is truly fantastic to say the least. Each spring I find myself in a real turmoil trying to figure out just what I should do here first. We have our sunroom stocked full of plants we have started which we can hopefully turn into food for next winter. Then there are the many chicken and turkey raising buildings that need to be cleaned out and repaired to get ready for this years birds.
Besides all the cleaning up and planting that goes on each year at our home we also have those bears to chase around again this spring. This year I would like to remind my readers that we can use bait for grizzlies north of Tok along the Taylor Highway to Chicken. This area has also been burned off which could make it a little easier to do some glassing for bear than in previous years.
Seeing the snow disappear this fast reminds me of the time I spent fishing at Heart Lake in the northern Cascade Mountains many years ago. It was a 5-mile hike into Heart Lake from Holden Village through some of the most beautiful scenery in the world. There were mountains on three sides of the beautiful crystal clear lake and black-tailed deer seemed to be everywhere. You were also close enough to the top of the mountains to see the grooves cut in the sides just below the snowy peaks that were caused by years of run off from the melting snow.
Standing there in one of the most beautiful places I have ever been in my life re-assured me of the presence of God as there is no way man or evolution (as we are coerced into believing) ever made that beautiful place. Through out the lake you can catch cut throat trout and fishing here was simply fantastic. We caught around 75 of these beautiful cold water fish on everything from eggs to flies and spinners.
We took back about a dozen of these fish to the Lutheran Camp at Holden Village and asked them to cook them for us. They agreed but not before some of their staff gave me a hassle about becoming a vegetarian and not eating living creatures. I tried to humor them by telling them the fish were not alive they were dead however they did not think I was very funny either. I have no problem with people wanting to be vegetarians but really hate it when they try forcing their lifestyle on this ex-hog, dairy, chicken, turkey, and beef farmer. Don't get me wrong I also love vegetables but do not want a steady diet of just vegetables.
Have you been to the "New Trustworthy Store?" What a fantastic store for all of us here on the Kenai Peninsula, we are very fortunate to have this store here and the wonderful service the Miller family and their staff provide for all of us. If you need advice just ask anyone, Keith in hardware, or either Paul, Brian or Scott have went way out of their way to help their customers, if you're going there just to find a pretty smiling face they have them too! There I was standing at the rear counter and a very pretty gal by the name of Morgan Mize says "Can I help you with something?" Instantly I thought, where else on the Kenai Peninsula can you find a selection like you have at Trustworthy and a pretty girl to wait on you besides? So what if I couldn't remember what I was looking for, you can always go back!
I have been there twice already, correction make that three times but I must admit the buys were so good I couldn't resist stocking up on everything from some fishing tackle to garden supplies to 22 shells. I convinced Taby that due to the high gas prices I just had to buy all these things now as I probably couldn't afford the gas to come back later. Well guys guess what...It didn't work! You might want to try a different approach at your house. I did manage to grab a few items before she caught on but trust me I could spend all day there shopping in this new store.
Nearly 40 years ago this spring my Grandfather took me fishing on Coon Fork Lake near Augusta, Wisconsin. You know I can still remember that day as vividly as though it happened last week. I can still remember the details of that trip right down to the types of hooks he used, Eagle Claw gold hooks. These wire hooks would straighten out if you got snagged rather then break your line yet plenty strong enough to hold pan fish.
If you have never fished with your Grandfather I urge you to do so. If Grandpa can't take you because of his age and health and you are an adult, take him out for an afternoon of fishing. I know if my Grandpa were still alive I would be honored and very happy to take him with me. If you don't have the ways or means to get your Grandpa out, loan him to me and I will take him with me. See you next week!