Northern Trails And Tales

Anchorage Daily News:  July 12.  The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) today announced they have reached agreement with a Connecticut angler to restrict his capture of  salmon.  On Sunday, in less than five hours of stream time, the angler in question managed to land two huge king salmon.  As dedicated fisherpersons know, on average it requires thirty hours of hard fishing to catch a king, though that time can be approximately halved with the assistance of a guide.  Though a guide had been retained, in this instance it appears the angler was guiding the guide.  When contacted, the ADF&G admitted that they were concerned that “one person with this level of skill could single-handedly decimate the rebounding salmon stocks.   We are pleased that the individual is a superb sportman and has consented to release all salmon he doesn’t keep.  Additionally, he has agreed not to reveal his cutting edge techniques to other anglers or to photograph the specimens he releases.”… Like a whirlwind moving from Talkeetna to Houston and on to Anchorage, Carl H. Sundell is a man on the move.  The “Daily News” outdoor editor was finally able to snag Mr. Sundell at the Anchorage RV Park where he is taking a break from piscatorial pursuits.  With his usual modesty, Mr. Sundell admits he is a born fisherman.  “Back in Connecticut they call me ‘Catchin’ Carl’ but I’d like to give credit to a lot of the fellows I fish with— mostly for staying out of my way.”  While Sundell is restricted from revealing the secrets to his success, it’s apparent that intellgence and a consummate knowledge of the angling arts play a big part.  “I make my own luck,” Sundell says.  He agreed to the  ADF&G restrictions when he came to the same realization as the ADF&G, namely that at the rate he was catching there would be no salmon left for the end of his vacation.   Also, he has been joined by his wife of 34 years and is busy feting her at the finest area restaurants.  But while Mr.Sundell has put away his rods temporarily, he is now engaged with his bride trapping bears on the campground when foreswearing epicurean delights.  Modesty moves to the forefront again as he admits that if he does catch a bear, he’ll allow his wife to release it. “I love to share with others,” he avers.  “It’s going to hurt that I have two buddies joining me on the Kenai Peninsula in August and won’t be able to show them exactly what to do.  Neither one of them is much of a fisherman, but with my assistance at least they might have managed not to hook themselves.”  But the creel should be full long before that as Sundell has additional salmon and halibut trips scheduled prior to their arrival…..   We are proudly nominating him for Alaskan Angler of the Year.  Even if he were not to catch another fish, he’s proven himself  at least the equal of the best of the Last Frontier.” A noted Shakespearean scholar, we honor Mr. Sundell with these words form Julius Caesar:  ”Why, Angler, he doth wade the fishing world/  Like a Lefty Kreh, and we petty bait fishers/ Stand in the shadows of his arcing casts/ And search about to find ourselves a watery grave.”….Can there really be folks back on the States that need pictures????