I have used hoppers and flies to draw bass out of their hideouts. I came across a unique Fly Trap fly case from Waterworks (800/435-9374) that clips anywhere on your clothing, even your pants. It comes with an unusual clipping feature that is easy to operate, and my flies are right where I need them. Waterworks also makes a nice, no-slip grip glove called Fighter, offering UV protection in non fish scaring, non reflective colors.

If bass are not fly happy, I have plenty of live grasshoppers captured shore side. With a hopper on a Murad hook and a water bobber clenched 18 inches up line, I cast onto cattail cover to avoid baitfish gobblers, and water bopper keeps hopper from sinking. Jerking rod tip slightly makes bass explode, and I usually catch "keepers" on each cast

After bass action drops off in long hot afternoon, I paddle SeaEagle to trout springs on far side of lake, mirroring red clay bluffs. Like loaves of strategically placed French rolls, trout gulp artesian bubbles in their own private oxygen bar. They love O, too. The more oxygen more active fishing.

With my new, revolutionary gold OX-530 KingHawk, I reel effortlessly. I have never used such a smooth reel. I grew up with $5 reels that were always tangling. The premium priced KingHawk is manufactured with five ball bearings for a smooth, quiet and precise retrieve. There are six models in KingHawk series, including saltwater rigs that are slightly heavier than fresh water. Because KingHawk is so light, I can feel every trout tug on line with an unusual sensitivity. For more info on KingHawk line oceanerproducts@yahoo.com

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Kriss Hammond, Jetsetters Magazine Correspondent – Read Jetsetters Magazine at www.jetsettersmagazine.com To book travel visit Jetstreams.com at www.jetstreams.com and for Beach Resorts visit Beach Booker at

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They were in Alaska to visit us but were also very determined to fill their coolers. They had a pretty good run with salt water charter guys that we had hooked them up with, but now it was time to get some fresh water fishing done. They had been asking me about someone to guide them (gratis) into one of three million Alaskan lakes, or at very least, to get some good info on bait, locations, and techniques. I, an ex mid-westerner who had been in Alaska ten years and had caught a grand total of one rainbow during my entire tenure, had nothing informative to offer. I was trying to convince them that best way to do things would be to hire a pro to guide them down Kenai, assuring them that they would not only catch fish, they would catch a lot of fish. When they started wavering, I sealed deal by offering to go myself, as this was something on my short list of must-dos in Alaska and I had time and money now.

It worked, and we soon found ourselves in one of local watering holes of Seward asking who would be right people to guide us down Kenai. I sought out Bob Schaeffer, a Seward fly fisherman, guide, and columnist. Although we were not looking to avail ourselves of his excellent and very personalized services, he happily offered up that we should seek out guides of Kenai Cache Tackle and Guiding.

Bob's trips are a little more one-on-one and are fly rod oriented, and although this did not appeal to flatlanders in us I cannot say enough how well recommended are his services and what a fine guy he is. I do warn you, however, not to take up a pool cue in opposition to him. Be it Nine Ball, Eight Ball or Three Ball, he will walk out of bar counting your money.

A quick call to Kenai Cache and a short but pleasant conversation with Genese Peterson (she and her husband, Darwin, own shop) and day after next we were on our way. Our plan was to take full eight hour tour down Upper Kenai River, about a ten mile stretch of water that runs from Kenai Lake to Skilak Lake through Cooper's Landing and, in parts, alongside Sterling Highway. We were a tad anxious to be on our way and thus we found ourse

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Mike madcap angler, Jetsetters Magazine Correspondent – Read Jetsetters Magazine at www.jetsettersmagazine.com To book travel visit Jetstreams.com at www.jetstreams.com and for Beach Resorts visit Beach Booker at www.beachbooker.com

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