A hearty breakfast is served at 7 am each day. Coffee is ready before 6 - for early risers. The guides are ready by their boats at 8am - though if you want to go later they are very accommodating. I didn't see anyone sleeping in this week.

Clint was our guide for day 1. He took us upriver - about a 15 minute run. We started fishing a small riffle for some Arctic Char. They are always a good warm up fish. Tough fighters, rather light biters (compared to trout) and very eager to take a fly - especially an egg pattern at this time of year.

The Arctic Char (which is a close relative to the Dolly Varden) is the Rodney Dangerfield of the fishing species - it doesn't get the respect it deserves. Sometimes they are just too easy to catch up here. Once you get your timing down, learn how to feel the nibble and give a good quick hook set, you are in for quite a little battle. They don't normally make a long run or jump, but they sure pull hard and are not a cinch to land. You catch - ten of these in a row and it's time for a little break. They can wear out your arm after a while.