I finally made it to Alaska in the way I had always dreamed about. Fly-fishing the way-way-back bush where we were about the only humans for at least a hundred miles. Alaska Airlines to Anchorage, an 8-seater from Anchorage to Iliamna, a 4-seater Beaver float plane from Iliamna to the upper Nushagak River, a jet sled john boat from the river/runway upriver for 45 minutes to the Outpost On the Nush fishing camp. Six sunny days of fishing, six friends, six tiny cabins, plus three guides and one cook. And a dog. And we had no mosquitos (probably because the area had a second frost in spring). Lots of fish caught and released — rainbows, dolly vardens, big grayling, sockeye salmon and even an occasional jack chinook. This was more than a fishing trip. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Thanks to Dennis Beardsley for organizing the trip and to his son Mitchell, Mike Koslosky, Rob Jensen and Mark Paul.