Getting Wet

Mike fights a nice rainbow from his float tube near Talkeetna.

I love float tube fly fishing, it is as close to being apart of the fish’s world we can get and still use a rod
and reel. The quiet of Alaska’s many small lakes can be a godsend of relaxation and contemplating the
world as it should be, just me and the trout. This summer I decided to take my underwater photography
to this world and hopefully bring an understanding of what this to the outside world. Through a friend I was introduced to Mike Malone, a world class fisherman and really interesting chap to boot. He graciously volunteered to go fishing at his favorite lakes so that I could watch him catch fish. Like I said he is great guy, not everyone would give up their free time to go fishing.

Mike Malone prepares to release another nice fish.

Gear:
Camera: Canon 5D
Lens: Canon 17-40 F4 L
Housing: Ikelite with 8” Dome port
Wetsuit: O’neil 7mm

We found it works best if I stay in my safety boat (14ft Aire Super Lynx piloted by my wife) until he gets a fish on, then I slide over the side and start shooting. Once the fish has been safely released, I get back in the boat and repeat as necessary. This is where the super lynx is great, self bailing floors, and the stability for me to get in and out in deep water without risk of tipping over. It is a ballet in green water, between maintaining my orientation to the fisherman, where the fish is at, and where the light is coming from while not sucking in water or stirring up the bottom. Much like fishing it is about the challenge of proper execution that we seek, not necessarily the resulting catch or image. Don’t get me wrong, there is nothing more frustrating than spending the day in a cold lake only to find out your images are out of focus or ill exposed. But, it motivates me to get back out there and make it happen and improve every time I go out. In the words of Joel Grimes, “Am I better than I was yesterday?” if the answer is yes, then it was a success.

Holly in the safety kayak

Sunday Morning Coming Down

A fisheye view of a rainbow trout fighting the fly fisherman.

Mike releases a small rainbow after telling me he was going to catch it not a minute earlier.

Mike Malone chats with kids out for a paddle on a slow Sunday afternoon on Irene Lake, Alaska

So this is what I looked liked to the fish.

Float tube fishing in Alaska has always been a green shrouded zen like experience for me. I could always escape the crowds of the Kenai and just float around and get a bit closer to everything.  Spotting rainbow trout far below me swimming by oblivious to my intent (an they ignored my fly for the most part) was always worth a drive. But, life got busy and float tube and hand built flyrods started collecting dust more and more. My obsession with a slow Sunday on a quiet lake refused to gather dust. Although it wouldn't help the dusty 6wt, I had to get back into those still waters, but this time my goal was just to share my obsession with the world. Mike Malone from Education Concepts (professional fly fishing instructors, yes it is ok to be jealous of that title) was kind enough to share his quiet Sunday with me. Fishing was a bit slow, but the conversation was lively and weather pleasant. I paddled along side his float tube in my trusty 7mm O'neil wetsuit towing my Canon 5D in an Ikelite housing along with a GoPro HD mounted to it (I'll do a write up on my kit later on this year).  We managed to rustle up a few rainbows and lots of green water to tread. If you have never gone fishing in a float tube, go make it happen and get a bit closer to the fish and further from the crowds.

We have made plans for our next venture where hopefully we can get into a few bigger fish and more story telling. It is fishing after all, and even if you are treading cold water for hours on end you have to tell tales.

Good Health and Travels,
David Hayes

PS Not in the photos but present was my incredible safety officer and wife Holly kayaking around the lake and getting her Zen time in as well.  And if you get the title of this post then you can pick the music for a road trip in my truck.

Over my head

Two weeks ago I ran 6 Mile Creek near Hope, Alaska with Nova Guides from Chickaloon. With moderate water levels we  ran all three canyons without using oar locks. This means that everyone in the boat has to paddle and pay attention. I wanted to shoot video with my Gopro HD helmet cam in addition to my 5D for still photos but the guides put this idea down like a wounded horse. In my Alaskan experience if somebody does something for a living, you listen to them. Boy, I'm glad I did. As you will see in the slide show we didn't quite make it through the last set of Class V rapids in the boat. Scary as hell to be in water that big without a boat. I had two thoughts in my mind, "I always wondered what this felt like, I've seen it on TV" and "CLOSE YOUR MOUTH STUPID." The second was the most profound statement I have had in quite some time. We all got plucked out of the river by the safety cataraft and were none the worse for wear. NOVA Alaska is a world class group of guides, if you are looking to shoot some rapids or see the back country these are your people. www.novalaska.com

Anchorage Rowing Club

"If you are not in over your head, how do know how tall you are?" --TS Eliot

Click the link below to watch the HD Video on Vimeo 
Anchorage Rowing Club Video

The Anchorage Rowing Club practices on Sand Lake twice a week when the ice is out. I don't know why, but I'm still surprised by all the variety of activities that Alaskans occupy their time with. I saw a piece in the Anchorage Daily News on this club and immediately knew I had to get in the water and see what it was like to have a 45 foot boat crank past you at 12 knots. What struck me about this from the water line, was the violence and grace that propelled these craft. Teamwork and power are nothing if your timing is off.

I wish that I had another month and $10k to do this film correctly but feel this is a good start. This was a good project to learn on with video and stills like: when your lanyard breaks and your Canon 5D sinks to the bottom of the lake, batteries die mid sequence, oars go by your face, float planes turn your way, fisherman cast over you........

Take a deep breath, this is just the beginning, the water is only at my chin. How tall am I?

Open for business

The first post of the new blog is just a sample of what we are working on this summer in Alaska. Underwater photography is king this year and we will be working to bring you both still images and videos from around our great state. From Diving in Prince William Sound and Seward to Triathletes and Rowing clubs. If it involves Alaska and water I will be there to document it. If you wish to see the video in HD the link to Vimeo is listed below. 

http://www.vimeo.com/24810165