References

This is the second year that Pete Cockwill (British fly-fishing author, instructor, etc) and I spent a week fishing with Ben Rowe and Fred DeCicco of Twin Peaks Adventures, and both trips were , in fact "trips of a lifetime" notwithstanding the fact that I, and more particularly Peter , have fished all over the world. What is absolutely unique about this operation is that you fish, on a daily basis, water that has probably NEVER been fished before, because the only way to get there is by helicopter. Imagine fishing rivers with no sign of any other anglers ever having been there-no paths, no discarded tackle, and the only footprints on the sand bars are from bears, moose and wolves. The rivers are full of fish, and plenty of big ones, but are of modest size, easily waded, and not as intimidating as some of the big brawling rivers elsewhere in Alaska.  Because of the complete mobility and flexibility of the helicopter, no matter the weather or the conditions of any particular river, you can always get to good fishing water somewhere on the Seward Peninsula, so there are no days where you get "weathered out." The quality of the guiding is OUTSTANDING. Fred, former fishery biologist for Alaska Fish and Game on the Seward Peninsula for 29 years, is intimately knowledgeable about the fish and the watersheds and knows exactly where, when and how to put you into the desired species. In addition to being the helicopter pilot, Ben has spent his entire life fishing these rivers, and between the two of them resides a huge amount of local knowledge and practical experience. The accommodations are fine. The base cabin, a few miles outside of Nome, on the Snake River (fishing available virtually from the deck of the cabin) is very comfortable, and the food and its preparation are simple (grilled steaks, FRESH seafood) but outstanding. Finally, there are the fish! We went targeting BIG grayling, and the results were astounding. Peter has spent 10 years seeking out BIG grayling, yet last year (we went in July) we were three days into the trip before we caught a grayling SMALLER than the biggest one Peter had ever caught before. The main problem was keeping the big chum salmon off your light gear and avoiding all the pink salmon. One could catch as many of those as desired. This year we went up in August, and the river was full of silver salmon and absolutely beautiful Dolly Varden, which voraciously took almost anything that came there way, fought like mad, and displayed almost "glow in the dark "colors on landing. The grayling fishing was even better than the previous year, with Pete having the potential of three IGFA grayling records in a single week. I can't emphasize enough how unique these trips were, with personal attention to every detail and unparalleled fishing. I can recommend Twin Peaks unreservedly.
Dr. Louis Hegedus:
Colorado, Grayling Fanatic.
Guest 2006, 2007, Booked 2008
                                                                           hegedus@lamar.colostate.edu

I had a wonderful time fishing with Twin Peaks in August. I am a lifelong Alaskan but had never been to the Nome area. The country is beautiful. Lots of impressive mountains and crystal clear rivers and streams. Small herds of musk ox, the occasional grizzly and moose. Amazing fishing. The Dolly Varden were great fun and the silvers really get your heart pounding. However, it is the grayling fishing that I enjoyed most. I've had to convince several of my friends that the pictures I brought back really are of grayling. They are huge. I had always measured grayling in inches but on the Seward Peninsula you go by pounds. The helicopter has ruined me for life. We fished streams that probably had never seen a human fisherman before. The guides are extremely knowledgeable and patient. We've got reservations for next August. Great food, good accommodations, amiable companions and amazing fishing. Paul Robinson
Guest 2007