1998 Season In Review
by
Leon Randerman

Well, After what seemed like a short winter it was back up to Alaska to prepare for another season of Pike fishing. Arriving in Aniak in mid April, Dean went to check on the Midnight Sun to look for winter damage. Thanks to our caretaker Joe Turner, the boat came through the winter without a scratch. The only unnerving thing at the time was there was no water within 400 yards of the Midnight Sun. All the locals told us not to worry, that the water always comes up in the spring when the Yukon breaks up. Well a couple weeks later the Yukon broke up and for the first time that anyone could remember it didn’t flood and still no water. By mid May I had arrived in Anchorage and began purchasing supplies for the summer. After talking with Dean, we still did not have enough water to float the boat. Needless to say at this time the “pucker factor” was rising, but true to tradition, the rains started and the water came up. The Midnight Sun was floating and we were ready to go. Little did we know that our prayer for rain was not only answered but also had no plans on quitting all summer.

Week One:
With the crew aboard and everything up and running it was time to begin the season. Our first guest arrived on June 5th. Returning guest Paul and Jan Stone, Dale Fischer, and joining Dale for the first time was Joe Johnson. It would turn out to be a tough week of fishing, with the water rising daily and very cold conditions, the fish were scattered and sluggish. Although the fishing was tough Paul and Jan put good numbers of Pike in the boat, by fishing hard and using weedless plastics in the grass. Jan took the big fish of the week with a nice 45" Northern. Dale followed up with a nice 44" fish, although a nice fish, Dale in his previous two trips on the Midnight Sun caught 50" plus fish on each trip. As for Joe a retired schoolteacher, he kept us entertained with stories from his career.

Week Two:
We were joined by Dave Daumarcharis, Robert DeWitt, Nick Leo, Mike Machiorlatti and Dick and Doug Peterson. Once again the water was still rising and fishing continued to get tougher. With no salmon in the rivers, yet we decided to do some flyouts to the upper river and it paid off. On the first fly out, Dean took Dick and Doug to the upper Innoko. Although they didn’t catch large numbers, they each boated nice trophy fish, 45", 43.5", 43" and several smaller ones. On the next day Dean took Nick and John, most of the day was devoted to sheefish and it paid off. They landed 25, with the largest a nice 16-lb. fish. By week end, Nick put 3 more Northerns over 40 inches in the boat, and Dave a 45 incher on a fly rod.

Week Three:
We were joined by Tom Anderson, John Brittian, Henry Lang, Richard Lewis and Bob and Jack Litschhewski. With the good luck Dean had on the upper Innoko, it was time to make a move. Upon arriving up river, the weather was a lot nicer and water levels not as high. The first four days the fishing was good and improved daily. This group managed to boat 20 Northerns over 40 inches, with a 44 inches being the largest. However the big fish still managed to evade us. On the last day of the week the weather took a turn for the worst and so did the fishing. All in all it was a good week of fishing, with an enjoyable group to guide.

Week Four:
Tom Arnold, George Booth JR and Sr., John Neil, Dick Skidmore and George Mansfield arrived and the weather was still in the dumps. The fishing was much slower than the previous week, but we still managed to land 12 Northerns over 40 inches. Dick landed the largest one for the week, a nice 44 incher. The good news was the King Salmon had finally arrived in the Unalakleet River. Although not a fish a cast, each day more kings entered the river with fishing improving daily. On the last flyout, once again Dick boated the big fish, landing two of them in the 30 pound range.

Week Five:
We greeted Ed Stein, Jeff Berg, David and Herb Conant and Dorothy and Roy Gudermuth. Finally we had a week of good weather with warm sunny days that we are normally accustomed to in June and the fish noticed too. David Conant broke the ice by landing the first 47 incher of the season. Dave and his father Herb would end up landing 23 Pike over 40 inches during their stay. They also boated ten Kings with two in the high twenties. Ed and Jeff proved once again that the fly rod could be lethal on Northerns, especially the big boys. The two of them boated 22 Pike over 40 inches with the largest a beautiful 46 incher. Roy and Dorothy were a pure pleasure to fish with. Dorothy proved to be the better fisher person of the two, But Roy was fishing handicapped, Roy had broken his arm prior to their trip. It was a great week and we look forward to having Roy and Dorothy aboard this coming season.

Week Six:
We were joined by the Matthews family, Charles, Chuck, Jermery, Timothy, Joshua, and Marry Tweddle. For the most part the weather continued to be good along with the fishing. Though the really big fish eluded us this week , 33 fish over 40 inches fell prey to with these guys. Jeremie topped the week with a 35 lb. King. His brother Josh took “big Pike” honors with two 44 inchers and a 43 inch. Timothy took the honors for the most relaxed fisherman of the week.

Week Seven:
We began the move back down river and were joined by Mark and Christopher Bare, Robert Blew, Jon Chapman, Ed Martin and Bruce Peterson. Our first stop was the Gator lake country. When this proved to be nonproductive we moved on down to the Reindeer Lake country. The week would turn out to be on the miserable side as far as the weather. The bad weather also prevented us from reaching the Unalakleet River for kings. While the numbers on the Pike suffered there were some nice fish boated. Chris ended the week with 2 fish 48", 1 fish 47" with his father Mark landing a 46” Northern. Bob ended the week with a 44" Northern and several other nice size fish. This group fished as hard or maybe harder than most anglers, our hats are definitely off to them.

Week Eight:
This week brought Henry Gehrisch, Howard Gilbert, Allen Hirschfield, Myron Lieberman, Lester Rosenberg, and Joel Zemans to the Midnight Sun. While the Pike fishing was still slower than what we are accustom to, the weather did improve along with the fishing. These guys put twenty-two Northerns in the boat over 40 inches with 46 inches being the largest. With the motor problems we continued the flyouts to the Unalakleet. While the king season was slow getting started, it turned out to be a great run. Lester and Sonny led off the week with 35 kings in a six hour period. The following day Allen and Hank landed 25 kings. This year there were lots of big fish, the average King ran 18 to 20 lbs. Joel and Myron followed up with boating 10 Kings.

Week Nine:
Tim Groark, Martin Geier, Allen Mertes, Edward Parsons, Bill Sneckenberg and Robert Weslow were our next group of anglers. With the weather conditions staying warm and clear, the water levels starting to drop, the big fish began to show up. Ed had the hot hand with two fish over 47", the largest a 48.5 inch. We did however spot numerous big fish but, could only get them to follow. One fish seen ( coined the Red October) was estimated to be in the 54 to 55 inch range, after following once we couldn’t get her to come back up. The King Salmon fishing this week proved to be nothing short of spectacular. In four days of fishing on the Unalakleet River, 160 kings were boated. July 17 also brought the first Silver Salmon of the season. Only one other year in the last ten, have we seen Silvers this early in the season, it was great.

Week Ten:
We were joined by Hugh Langevin, Dick Schultz, Walley Hilgren, Bill Ludig, Marvin Valgodezing and Shorty Revering. This turned out to be quite a week. While all of these guys were great anglers, Marvin decided to set the expectations very high by boating a 53 inch Northern on the first day. While we saw 64 Northerns come to the boat over 40 inches, they just quite couldn’t catch up to Marvin. Shorty gave it his best with two 47 inchers and a 46 inch Pike. While everyone had numerous fish over 40 inches, Marvin was still the star. Hugh and Dick proved once again that a flyrod still produces, they boated 34 Pike over 40 inches, with the largest a 45 incher. The salmon flyouts to the Unalakleet were still fabulous, you never new what the strike would be, a King, Silver, Chum or Pink. It is rare to have all of these species of salmon in the river at the same time. It was a great week of fishing and a reall good group of guys to share it with.

Week Eleven:
This turned out to be one of the longest weeks of my fishing career. Don Rulle, Jim Fausset, Jeff Floyd, Ken McCrorie, Dave and Bobby Traxinger joined us this week. We were warned about these guys long before they arrived and needless to say it was true. They were unruly, rude, loud and yes they could fish. Needless to say in the five and a half days, these guys were with us, there was never a dull moment. Once again the fly rods and bunny flies proved lethal on big Pike when hardware had not been producing. On the first day Jeff took a 47 & 48 inch back to back, this was just the beginning. During the course of the week, this group landed sixty-eight Northerns over 40 inches. As for the salmon it was like turning kids loose in a toy store. Once again everyone experienced the rare opportunity of catching four species of salmon plus an added bonus of Dollies and Grayling. Jim, Dave and Don hit the kings with the flies and landed over a dozen fish between 20 and 30 lbs. At the end of the week, on the last day of fishing, and on the last cast, Bobby and Jeff both hooked into huge Pike. When it was all over, both fish taped out at 49 inches side by side. It was the kind of Pike fishing we were more accustomed to, along with a great bunch of guy’s to share it with.

Week Twelve:
We were joined by Craig Bollhaber, Bill Queenan, Frank Tschida and Wayne Belisles who is a partner with Dean and I. After the previous week we expected the fishing to get even better, it seems mother nature had other plans. The weather once again took a turn for the worst, though the weather deteriorated these guys still managed to put some very nice fish in the boat. By weeks end everyone in the group had boated a fish 47 inches or larger. As for the salmon, due to the bad weather Dean was only able to do only one flyout, with Frank and Craig hammering the silvers. Considering the bad weather these guys were great sports who put the cards and cribbage boards to good use. Wayne, Craig and Bill fished with us the previous season, we look forward to seeing all of them again in the future. By the way, after leaving Alaska, Craig was turning in his fishing rods for spurs. Craig we are still waiting to hear about this.

Week Thirteen:
Brought back to the Midnight Sun, Leonard Heiser, and Dennis Weisenberg. With them were Bernie Abrams, David Kerschenbaum, Mark Krinsky, and Art Wohlfeiler. We definitely have to award Bernie the medal of valor for this season. At the respectful age of 78 Bernie received a spinal block so that he could make the trip. Although the weather improved a bit, the big fish were shut down and in the following mood again. Many nice Pike were caught, but the largest to the boat was 47 inches. The salmon flyouts for Silvers continued to be nothing short of great and for the first time this season the water in the river cleared enough that the sheefish showed up. One high light of the week was Art, this was his first trip to Alaska, he has never really fished before. As a guide it was a real pleasure to have someone aboard who was so in awe over the whole trip. Art we hope we see you again in the future. As for Dennis and Leonard we will see you in 1999.

Week Fourteen:
Once again we welcomed the Reynolds group from Colorado. Brad Befus, Wally Tanner, Doug Gomer, Bill Eaton and Rich Duezenack joined Barry. Again this group showed what a fly rod would do. This was the third season for Barry, Barry and his guests each year end up with one of the top producing weeks of the year. With the fish still on the slow side we hit the water with the bunny flies, again they produced. We ended up landing 100+ Northerns over 40 inches. Barry led the group with a 50.5 incher and one at 49 inches. Everyone in the group ended up with fish 47 inches or larger. The sheefish even found it hard to pass up a white bunny with the tail cut a little shorter. Due to weather, we were only able make one flyout to the Unalakleet River. Barry, Rich, and Bill landed approximately 40 Silvers with the fly rod. Once again a great week guys, we look forward to seeing you next season.

Week Fifteen:
Kenny, Mike, Joe, Brian, Matt from Minneapolis and Daniel Dudak from Pennsylvania joined us this week. Brian proved to have the hot hand this week with two great fish, a 47 and 48 3/4 inch Northern. It seems just as the weather was getting back on track, Mother Nature proved that she has complete control. We were hit with high winds and rain. The water rose two vertical feet, churning the lakes to mud. We were able to fly these guys to the Aniak River for Silvers where they ripped lots of lips and came back with numerous wild stories. Thanks guys, for weathering the storm.

Week Sixteen:
The weather was still pounding us. For the first time in three years we had guests delayed in Aniak. As Scott Montross, Bill Levendoski, Jim and Mike Scheer, Dick and Wendell Wehling arrived so did 50 to 60-knot winds and rain. The water in the lakes churned to mud, and the water level rose three vertical feet in a week and half. With these conditins, fishing was tough. In ten years of guiding in Alaska, this was the toughest week of fishing I personally have ever experienced. Jim and Mike did manage to put five fish over 40 inches in the boat, with the largest 46 inches. The Silver Salmon fishing held out and was good as usual, but the pike fishing was just plane tough. We want to thank these guys for the effort they put out in adverse conditions and hope that next time Mother Nature will deal us a better hand.

Week Seventeen:
This week brought back returning guests Ray Burchette and John Myres. We were also joined by Richard Baese, Mike and Bill Charron, and Robert Epp. While the weather cleared, the temperatures at night and early morning was nothing less than cold. We also were able to view the Northern Lights for the first time this season. With water conditions still high and the cold temperatures, fishing was still on the slow side. Once again, with these conditions Ray and John showed that the fly rod and the bunny fly was very productive. Although everyone caught fish, the flies out fished hardware about two to one. No real big fish were boated this week, although a good number of Northerns over 40 inches were caught with John landing a 46 inch with Ray following up a 43 & 44 inch. Once again it’s hard to say anything about the Silver fishing without sounding like a broken record. All the guests took advantage of the fly out and with great success and a great time. We are looking forward to seeing Mike and Ray in 1999.

Week Eighteen:
We were joined by an old friend and fellow guide Mike Manzardo and his father Frank. They brought along Henry and Tim Krahn, Jerry Wible and Thomas Tombridge. The weather was still nice, but the high water and cold conditions still gave us tough fishing. Mike using a fly, took the big fish of the week a heavy 47 inch Pike. Tim followed up with a 46 inch and Jerry and Tom hung in there with a 43 and 42 inch fish. With the nice weather, Dean was once again able to fly to the Unalakleet were the Silver fishing was still rock and roll. September also brought the opening of duck season and Mike and Dean Started it off with a limit shoot. We look forward to seeing Mike and Frank again next season.

Week Nineteen:
One more week to go. With the weather holding we were joined by Don Dupont, Jim Lewis, Jerry Seegars, Chris Seegars, and Paul Seegars. With the continued good weather I expected the fishing to pick up more than it did. While numbers were still down we did land some very nice fish. Don and Jerry both ended up with a very nice 48-inch fish that easily broke the 30-pound mark. Chris set a new record on this trip for missed fish. Gregg ended up taking all candy bars away and only issued one when a fish was landed. It worked with mixed results. The first flyout was to the Aniak and we experienced poor results. So, back to the Unalakleet and as usual the Silver fishing was hot .

Week Twenty:
The final week of the season couldn’t have ended on a better note. Lester Graf, Ben Infanti, Larry Kenizor, Rick Uli, and Ed Levin joined us. The weather continued to remain good and the water started to recede. With these more stable conditions the fishing improved each day. Ben ended our season with a great 49-inch Northern. Rick managed to put a 48 and 47 incher in the boat with Lester and Ed boating two heavy 44 inchers. The last week on the Unalakleet was still going strong for Silvers and it was hard to quit going there with Silvers still running strong We also did some duck and goose hunting this week, which was great. All in all it was a great week and a great bunch of guys to end the season with.

In looking back it was very strange summer weather wise. Not a very typical year at all, I can say that we had some great guests on board. We would like to thank all of you for your support and the effort every one put out regardless of the conditions we faced. While the numbers were down this season, the fish were still there. When conditions were favorable, fishing was what we are accustomed to, GREAT. I can say, that this season I saw some of the largest Pike I have ever seen in this country. Seeing these large Northerns and catching them are quite often two different things. At this time we are still waiting to get the results from fish and game on the tagging we did this past season. In tagging almost three thousand fish of all sizes we only recaught 11 fish. This tells us that the number of fish we are dealing with is far greater than we ever expected. We hope to get the results on the scale samples soon and have an idea on the age and growth rate of these fish.

For those of you who endured our motor problems, Mercury finally decided they do have a problem and are providing all new power heads for the motors. Hopefully this will alleviate the problems we had to deal with this season. Dean and I want to apologize to those of you who had to go through this with us and thank you for your patience and understanding.

In closing Dean and I want to thank our crew. In my 11 years of guiding and working at different lodges, this was the best crew I have had the privilege of working with. To Mike Hart, Greg Befus, Rodney Grisham and Ross Douglas, thank you for all your hard work and for making this past season a success. At this time we are looking forward to having Mike and Greg back with us. Rodney is planning on attending summer school. We also want to thank Nancy Englis in Anchorage for her support in getting things to us when we needed them. A special thanks to the Hill family in Aniak for all of your help and support and to Inland Aviation for helping us out when we needed another plane to keep our schedule. To Ray Burchette for helping us put our newsletter together each year. And last but not least, A special thanks to you our guest for your continued support and for all the great memories. We look forward to seeing you again in 1999

More photos of the 1998 season

Due to the rising cost of maintaining business in the bush, a price increase will go into effect for the 2000 season. The price for year 2000 will be $3,495.00. If you book your trip for 2000 by the end of March 1999 you will be given the 1998/99 rate of $3,200.00. A $300.00 nonrefundable deposit is required to secure your reservation.

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MIDNIGHT SUN TROPHY PIKE ADVENTURES