I've been seeing these really cool fish illustrations pop up on the Fly Out social media feeds for the past year or so from an Andrea Larko. I kept seeing these really unique pieces of digital art, paintings, color pencil, etc. I'm not an artist (in the traditional sense), but her work really struck me. I asked Andrea if we could do a progression series on AlaskaFlyOut.com with a steelhead piece she would be commissioned to do. The video above is the result. 

Find out more about this super talented artist at AndreaLarko.com. And, you can purchase Andrea's art at her etsy site. 

Many of us in the Alaska fishing community are doing whatever we can to help stop the proposed Pebble Mine threatening the Bristol Bay watershed. Fly Out ambassador, Bob White, is no different. BobWhite Studio will donate 25% of print sales to the Sportsman's Alliance for Alaska to help stop the Pebble Mine. 

You can see all of Bob's prints on his website, BobWhiteStudio.com.

When I first saw Bob White's paintings, I was a rookie guide at Tikchik Narrows Lodge and NOT well acquainted with Alaska. After a number of years of guiding in Bristol Bay, I now realize how Bob captures real moments, real experiences. Some of his art can evoke a nostalgia for Alaska that is quite surreal. One look at a few of his painting below, and you'll be digging out your dusty photo albums from your last trip to AK. See more of Bob White's works at www.bobwhitestudio.com.

"Along Beneath Lake Kulik Spires"

"First casts"

"A warming fire"

By: Fly Out Ambassador Bob White

Painting By: Bob White www.bobwhitestudio.com

"Gawd, I hate kids!" ~ Rusty

It was late June, still spring in Alaska, and the soft twilight had lingered long past midnight when I found Rusty sitting alone in the dusk, next to an unlit fire. There was a mostly empty bottle of Jack Daniel's and two tin cups on the big spruce round to one side, and he was softly mumbling to himself. "I was wondering when you'd get here." He said over his shoulder as I approached.

"How did you know it was me and not some grumpy old brown bear looking for an easy meal?"

"No bear would dare mess with me tonight." He grumbled. "I'm in too foul a mood... Whiskey?"

"Why not." I said. "Mind if I light a fire?" There's nothing as sad as two fishing guides drinking whiskey in the dark. I knew that the glow of a fire would change the mood and poured a little diesel over the cord wood that had been laid in anticipation of the next get together. Rusty tossed a wooden match to light it.

He grunted as he poured a generous measure of the amber liquid into each of the tin cups, and we sat there, sipping our whiskey without speaking for a good long time. The dry spruce crackled and popped as it caught. Rusty hates complainers, has no time for whiners, and generally avoids expressing displeasure with any of The Boss' decisions... but he was at the end of his rope. "What the hell are we going to do with that pack of rug rats tomorrow." He finally moaned. "Gawd... I hate kids."

Anyone who knows Rusty will tell you that he harbors no ill will towards children in general... or anyone else for that matter. Simply put, Rusty loves to catch fish and judges an individual solely on his or her ability to do so. It chafes him to spend time with people who can't fish, and conversely, he enjoys being with anyone who's good at it. I've often thought that he'd have a wonderful day sharing a boat with vhxeyeph Stalin and Mao Tse-Tung if the fish were biting.

"Aw... it'll be all right." I said, trying to cheer him up. "We'll take them over to Spider Bay and fish for pike in the morning. Then we'll go for a boat ride and find a nice beach somewhere across the lake for a big fire and shore lunch. Afterwards they'll skip stones and go swimming... and before you know it... the day'll be over."

"That's just dandy." He wailed. "The best run of Kings in three years... and I'm going on a pikenic!"

"Honey, it's time to get up... honey?" Lisa asked, gently shaking my shoulder. "Ooooh... you look bad. Let me get you a cup of coffee."

"Ahhhhg..." I moaned into my pillow. "How much time do I have?"

"Not nearly enough from what I can see... now drink this. I'll see you up at the 'Big House' in fifteen minutes." She said. "And... honey?"

"Yeah?"

"I hope the other guy looks worse."

I smiled... I was quite sure that he did.