Has anyone read this book. I cannot think of the authors name but it is published by Departure Publishing in America. Been recommended and was just wondering if any have read it. Sorry about the sketchy details.

Cheers

Reg Wyatt

Sorry for the late response.

The Alaska Chronicles is by Miles Nolte. I haven't read the book yet, but I certainly am going to get it.

I did, however, read the AK chronicles in their "original form" as a series of blog-like entries on the discussion board on the Drake magazines website. They were fantastic. Funny, gritty, true-to-life and thankfully totally free of the usual poor-me-stuck-with-these-stupid-clients "guide*****ing" that usually plagues any book written by a guide about their experiences.

I could tell that through it all, Nolte didn't lose his love of fishing. I think it's the descriptions of the days out fishing that balanced and provided a backdrop for the funny stories of Guidedom as well as the "only in Alaska" happenings like buying a fuel storage tank off of a drunk in a bar and then rushing to haul it off before he sobers up.

I would say that to fully appreciate the original Chronicles, it helps to kind of "get" the Alaskan scene. The book might lay the groundwork better. Basically, the Alaskan world revolves around working like a maniac for 23 hours a day for weeks on end during "The Season" (whatever season that might be, construction, fishing, guiding, trucking, logging, etc, or any combination of the above) and then spending the rest of the year fishing, hunting, and drinking vastly overpriced liquor, while carousing with vastly overpriced strippers, in indescribably grungy bars, in isolated one-bar towns.

If you have that vision in mind, you'll understand the packing list he describes. Also, I'd say if you don't understand a word or term he uses, Google it. You'd be missing a prime joke, for example, if you don't know what Xtratufs are or understand their significance.

Grouse

Thanks for the great reply Grouse, will definately get the book,

Reg Wyatt

It's quite freely available in the UK, see Amazon.com

I was so impressed with Grouse's feedback that I have just ordered a copy.

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"In wine there is wisdom. In beer there is strength. In water there is bacteria." - German proverb
JH based near Southampton

As an aside, one of the more interesting things about the Chronicles when they originally appeared on the Drake's discussion board, was the amount of discussion that was devoted to the question of their authenticity.

The central problem was similar to the Belle de Jour blog in the UK, the writing was just too good, the characters a little too real, the grit a little too gritty, and so on. There was also the question of how a guy in the middle of the Alaskan nowhere was getting internet access to post his entries.

Nolte did eventually address these questions and explain that they had a sat phone with modem so he could send in his posts, etc. But that should tell you something about how good and well written the originals were, even completely unedited they were a good read.

Grouse

Interim report;

My copy has arrived in good order. I am now about a third of the way through it and am really enjoying it. A mixture, in no particular order, of fishing stories, salty philosophy and Miles' no-nonsense observations about humanity, and men in camp coping with roughing it and misbehaving, "Auf Wiedersehn Pet" style.

The more fish, the more I realise what a very wide world flyfishing is and how little I know about the total of it. My own South of England strand of chalkstreams, small clearwater lakes and big supply reservoirs is just one among many. It does an angler good to get a taste of some of the others, either direct or at second hand. I occasionally meet Bob P on the banks of Farmoor 2, and he's told me some interesting stories about river fishing in Austria and Slovenia, see the current "The best from two worlds" thread in the General forum.

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"In wine there is wisdom. In beer there is strength. In water there is bacteria." - German proverb
JH based near Southampton

Now finished the book. The rest of it didn't disappoint, to say the least.

I particularly enjoyed Dillis' "encounter" with the young Canadian lady. The final "Bristol Bay" adventure certainly wakes you up with a start as well. Won't say any more in case I spoil it for potential buyers.

__________________
"In wine there is wisdom. In beer there is strength. In water there is bacteria." - German proverb
JH based near Southampton

Just finished the Chronicles myself.

It was a good read and entertaining. They did, however, take a little of the edge off the original version of the postings that appeared on The Drake's board. Nolte's description of the new boat that the lodge owner bought and his commentary of the self-proclaimed "one percenter" centerpinner was much funnier in the original version.

I would say it should be required ready for anyone who thinks they want to earn a living "doing what they love" and all that romantic ****.

Certainly makes me want to get up to Alaska.

Grouse

Grouse, is Miles Nolte still guiding in Alaska and posting on the Drake board ?

I was quite surprised to discover in the book that anglers use centre pin reels to "trot" for game fish in Alaska. I thought it was only middle-aged romantics in the UK like me, bought up on Crabtree and so on, that enjoyed using a 'pin for winter long trotting for grayling !

__________________
"In wine there is wisdom. In beer there is strength. In water there is bacteria." - German proverb
JH based near Southampton

in Alaska, but I can assure you that the equipment is heavily used in Western Canada. That said, I'd also suspect the equipment would not be a 'what's that?' on rivers in Alaska.

fae

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