Running back through the images taken over the last few days I realized the second picture posted was an error… I had intended to write a different piece of some length with the picture as a central element of same.
The parachute fly in the grayling’s lip was tied by bassman for a swap last year some time. It was a simple olive body parachute with an antron post. I could see it and it worked well. For a stretch of many casts, several times, it brought incredible grayling from the bottom of an absolutely gin-clear pool to slurp the fly.
The reason I fished it, and intended to stop after it caught several fish, was a simple tribute. Of course it worked well so I left it out there working and it disappeared. A grayling of unusual proportion is wearing it in his lip piercing.
The event gave me pause to speculate on the untimely passing of bassman, prior to fishing grayling, I suppose.
The amazing thing is the size of the grayling we were catching. The state considers a 32" rainbow equal to a grayling of 18". We do not begin to know how many 18"+ grayling we caught in a couple days… And bassman was there in spirit.
art
hap,
Funny you should mention that. I was going through some swap flies so I could donate a bunch to Casting For Recovery and found a couple that Bassman had tied for different swaps. Tucked them back into their little box. Doubt if they’ll ever see water, just a reminder of a friend I never met.
REE
REE
Good to see CFR getting a hand. My wife is volunteering at the AK CFR retreat right now. We tied dozens of flies to send with them, especially Riley.
No comment on that “little” grayling Denny is holding? 
art
Comment on that Grayling? Only that he is a lucky dog (Denny, not the fish) for getting to catch such a magnificent specimen. Really glad you guys are taking such good care of my friend. He deserves a real break from his hackle ranch and some real first class fishing. Your making sure he gets both. Well done, hap.
REE
REE
He got some good fishing… As good as it ever gets, anywhere. If the State C&R patch program calls a 32" rainbow equal to an 18" grayling (it does) and we caught as many 18"+ grayling as we did… It had to be special… (It was!)
I hear Denny rustling, time to make some breakfast.
art
Actually I did recognize Denny in that first non captioned photo. Same hat he wore at the DRC (Delaware River Club) FAOL Fish-In a few years ago. It must be indestructible ( as Denny also seems to be).
Y’all seem to be having a great Alaskan fishing experience. Wish I could have joined you. Tight lines .
Mark
Hot Dang, now to me that’s what fishing’s all about, beautiful country, nice looking fish and Graced by God with a good friend to enjoy it with…
Thanks Hap and Denny for taking us along!!!
PS: Hopefully looking forward to more pics…
Thanks, Hap. I’m still looking for my first Grayling as well as my first California Golden Trout. My hip is too bad to hike to them, but I’m still hopeful.
Thanks for the great report!
Kelly.
Kelly
We fished remote areas and we fished right next to the road. Some areas could be fished from the back seat of a car. The best fishing we got because of timing was literally right next to the road. The elevation differential may have been a little tough on Denny at times.
The very best fish were caught right next to the road. We found goofy-good fishing with grayling on every cast.
art
Start pestering Denny tomorrow for more pictures… He has them…
I am back home and am quite happy, but was sad to fly out of Alaska.
I just completed downloading all my photos onto my computer. What a job.
I was blessed by the fish gods or whatever governs we flyfishers.
Thanks to the Peck family for making my trip up North such a success.
Riley, Hap’s son was mainly responsible for getting me on to big fish.
I do have lots of photos and stories to go along with them.
I promise I will write a picture filled article and have it posted here on FAOL.
The entire week + was really a fishing trip of a lifetime.
Do wish all of you could have been with me.
I had fun!!!
Denny
I actually reconized the Hat before I recognized Denny. Man I am glad He and Hap had such a good time. Everyone should get a trip to that country at least once in their lifetime.
I bet that the Karma amassed over the years in that hat defies belief!
I remember how excited you were about going up there Denny, so glad to hear it was a great experience. Hope to see you in September.
Denny,
I’m so glad you had a good time, am a little surprized you came back!!
Z