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

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?