Frozen in time.

I guess it’s only the last week of March but time sure is dragging. I’ve been comparing photos from years past and noticing some years end of March is breakup, one photo showed snow piled over the shed roof and another had willows sprouting buds and green shoots into the warming sky. The variations are proof that time will continue at its predetermined pace while everything else exists in flux. We know the river will fill back up and fish will take their rightful places in the riffles and runs and pools but those periods between the near certainties that time dictates can have wild variety. The current state of being for the Kenai River is glacier stage. She’s locked up in places I've never seen. Big turquoise ice slabs protruding from what should be early spring trout runs offer no purchase for the angler looking to sneak in a few casts. Anchor ice has sealed the forage in an icy tomb forcing most fish out of the river or into the deepest of holes. I suspect there is a healthy population of fish upstream of Princess rapids but even that section is unnavigable due to a thick band of ice just downstream of the put in. Rarely do we see that. That predictable orbit that we’re on will not doubt spin and tilt us back into the glory days soon enough but for now springtime in Alaska persists to be 40 below. Little black stoneflies will suddenly appear on a warm afternoon and floes of candle ice will make their way towards Skilak Lake before we know it. Will you be ready? My best fishing advice for this next week or so would be to take some time prepping your gear, patching your waders, refilling the fly box and clipping off that rotten leader from last summer. 90% of fish are caught at home they say so don’t let the predictable pace of time sneak up on you and find you scrambling. Get ready to get ready is where we’re at I think. I cant wait to see you out there!