One Heck Of A Ride

31 -- Last days of the author’s hunt were spent fishing for rainbow trout, salmon and grayling. asked if I’d hunted in Alaska before. When I said I’d taken two Dall sheep, a moose, a caribou, a brown bear and several Sitka black-tailed deer on four previous trips, he wanted to know whom I’d hunted with. “Lee Holden, Don Johnson and Lynn Castle.” There was a long pause before he said, “Cripes. How the hell old are you? All those guys are dead.” “Seventy five.” “Damn. I thought I was the old bugger on the block.” I never knew how old he was, but he didn’t seem to be in good health. Before Luke flew me back to the lodge and on to Anchorage, I fished with spinning gear and caught salmon, grayling and trout. We had packed a lot into just seven days, and I really enjoyed that trip. The Making of a Hunter From left: guide Luke Miller, author, and Shannon Birdwell