Alaskan Adventures Issue #2 Spring 2020

Alaskan Adventures Issue #02 Spring 2020

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Alaska where will it take you?

When the opportunity to go to Alaska came, I was all in! Dan, the owner of Alaskan Adventures, de-

scribed his lodge and laid out a plan for my visit. This would be more than a fishing trip – this was an experience at world class fishery.

As an artist and fly fisherman, my goal was to catch some fish to create artwork that would showcase Dan’s lodge and commemorate my experience. I am fairly skilled fly fisherman, and I am one of a few therapists who offer fly fishing therapy. I believed my skill would be up to the task, but this was Alaska!

I have been creating art all my life, so I was confident about this artistic project, but being 240-some miles in the wilderness is much different than working in your studio.

I had a Japanese style of artwork in mind called Gyotaku which translates to “fish impression” or “rubbing.” This artform came from fisherman who needed to prove the size of their catch. The process involves covering the fish with ink and carefully rubbing rice paper or light fabric over the ink. The result is a striking print of the fish that captures incredible detail.

I use the print of the fish and rework it with watercolors and acrylics to emphasize the color, size, and power of the impression. Through this process, a piece of artwork emerges that is more than a print, better than a painting, and an expression of the fish itself.

I was ready for this adventure.

The flight alone was awe-inspiring. The expansive Alaskan wilderness took my breath away.

We arrived at the lodge, and I met other guests including Vickey who had gotten 12 world records in just one week at the lodge!

The first day we fished for pike. I have caught a lot of pike, but not to this caliber. They were aggressive, strong, and huge. The iconic Alaskan fish for me were the salmon and sheefish.

On the second day we came to a great spot for salmon. Soon my line went screaming out. This 32-inch chum salmon went airborne and cleared the water by a foot! The colors were amazing: green, purple, red, yellow, black, white. As soon as this fish was in my hands, I knew it would be a piece of artwork.

That night, I started to work. I washed the fish to remove the slime and improve the print. It required more ink than I anticipated, but when I pulled the fabric off, it revealed a beautiful print.

The next day, we went after sheefish. The first one I landed was 28 inches. This was my first time seeing a sheefish up close.

There is a vibrant, translucent blue color on the scales in the right light. Not knowing how to gauge sheefish, I asked Dan if we should keep it for a print. Dan said, “Let’s keep it for dinner, but not a print. It’s too small.” I laughed and a few minutes later, I got a much better one.

This one was 37 inches, though I know they get even bigger. I knew it would be a great piece of artwork. With its scales and that striking blue hue, I couldn’t wait to see how it would turn out.

Again, I washed the fish. Compared to the chum, the sheefish cleaned easily and dried well, so I knew it would print with fine detail. I quickly realized, though, that in my excitement to print the salmon, I used too much cloth. We didn’t have enough fabric to get a second print of the sheefish, so we improvised with a bed sheet.

Sheefish scales are much more prominent than the salmon. As soon as I applied the ink, I knew the prints would come out flawlessly.

This was as far as I could take the artwork until I got them back home.

The rest of the time at the lodge was a welcomed routine of eating delicious food, observing wildlife, and catching more great fish. The Coho arrived were even more powerful than the chums.

I spent my last morning fishing. We hit the area with the Coho, and it didn’t disappoint. After that, we went to a spot for pike, and I landed one that measured in at 38 inches. A few casts later, I hooked into an even better one - 45 inches. What a way to close out this trip!

I flew into Denver at night. As I looked out the window, I realized it was the first night I had experienced in 10 days.

At home, I had the artistic challenge of expressing the essence of each fish.

I started with the Chum. One would be close to the original print captured directly from the fish. The work involved whitewashes and enhancing depth and details. This was a precursor to doing the full color print.

For the color print, I lightened the imprint to create depth and add layers of transparent color to get the effect of the greens, purples, and reds.

This process was time consuming, but the effect was worth the effort.

For the color print, I lightened the imprint to create depth and add layers of transparent color to get the effect of the greens, purples, and reds. This process was time consuming, but the effect was worth the effort.

Next, I started on the sheefish. The details were popping on the black and white print.

Last was finishing the full color sheefish. I thought this would go smoothly, but it was the most challenging. Since it was printed on a bed sheet, instead of the cloth I usually use, it didn’t hold the paint well. I wanted the scales and the vibrant, subtle, translucent blue to come to life. It required a few different techniques, but I captured the beauty of this fish.

I will be forever grateful for the time and experiences I had with Alaskan Adventures. This is a world class fishery with outstanding accommodations and welcoming hospitality. My trip to Alaskan Adventures was life changing.

Between the incredible food, knowledgeable guides, and their personal touch, they will make your Alaskan Adventures come true.

For more information on this artwork, contact James Schultz at art.man.schultz@gmail.com

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North

First lets answer the question…. What is a Sheefish?

The easiest and simplest way to describe what a Sheefish is that it is an anadromous fish just like salmon that lives in the ocean but returns to fresh water rivers to spawn.

It’s in the whitefish family however unlike its cousin from the lower 48 it’s an aggressive eater devouring any type of baitfish it can find. Sheefish are found in great numbers in only five drainages of Alaska. The Kukakwim is the southern most drainage of its home range.

The Holitna River dumps into the Kuskakwim and sheefish are very plentiful all season long.

Alaskan Adventures is located right in the heart of some of the best Sheefish water that can be found. Also known, as the “Tarpon of the north” sheefish get rather large in size. The average fish is in the 12-18lb range. The largest landed at the lodge in 2019 was a really respectable 25lber. In 2018 a 33lber was landed.

We have heard reports of fish pushing the 40lb mark.

In 2019 eight new IGFA world records were posted by guest Vickie Martin an d for 2020 she is coming back to break a few more.

Sheefish are actually a really great fish to eat. Sheefish meat is white, flakey and simply fantastic deep fried and makes a really good addition to homemade chowder. Alaskan Adventures kitchen has a talent for preparing some really great Alaskan style food and Sheefish is right up there at the top as guest’s favorite.

Sheefish are in the Holitna River the entire season from June into September. We fish for them with either spinning gear or fly rod and reel.

Some days it’s not uncommon to bring 40 fish to the boat and we have some runs where they constantly push bait to the surface and fly out of the water.

It’s pure excitement watching an average 16lb Sheefish come up from the depths to be netted. Something you truly have to experience at least once!

ALASKAN ADVENTURES 110 Meadow Lane Bellvue, Colorado, USA – 80512 (303) 881-0200 (765) 398-0439 dan@alaskanadventures.net