Aloha Alaska!!!

Mooch, find an Ulu knife and learn how to use it. Gerber makes one version, and there are plenty for sale on the web or you can wait til you get up there and pick one up. will almost become the only knife you ever need for cooking. designed there as the one knife does all tool by the Eskimo. mine's really handy around the kitchen.

from my travels thru anchorage and fairbanks and points in between, you're actually going to be in the civilized part of the state. the larger portion is starting to go the way of the lower 48, which ruins "the Alaska experience" imho. still, lots to be said about local character. was in downtown anchorage in jan. 05 and saw a guy standing outside the convention center waiting on fight night tickets wearing a t shirt, gym shorts, socks and flip flops, at -19F. he acted like it was just a nice spring evening.

as stated by others, large Pinoy community in AK. 1000's in anchorage, but many over by where you;ll be, lots took advantage of the opportunity generations ago to move there to staff the fishing industry. still many families thriving as fishermen. [ have a lot of Pinoy co-workers who have family there, is how i know this]

don't worry, Pare' you wont be lonely once they know you are there.
[WR]

Joel

Congrats dude, I hope you find a nice eskimo gal up there.  Ill have to make a trip up there. 

WR, thanks for all the intel (keep 'em coming). One of my many goals in AK, is to live and learn from the Natives (I'm a big fan of the old ways of life) Had a co worker from REI who spent some time with a local tribe and he traveled mostly with a canoe. He took lot's of pics and I still visualize those photos to this day

Dilbeck, mooch will make it a  point to find time to visit the ol gang 

InSeine, come visit me....just don't bring Naoaki with ya....and tell Ashley she's welcome ANYTIME 

Congrats Joel, very cool!

You are gonna have a fun time Moochman.

No doubt! I'm already counting da days!

*Any tips about anything and everything about Alaska, feel free to post. I could use as much intel as possible / mahalo!

Load up on a supply of Deet 100 in case the mosquitoes have a banner repro year.

Congrats and good luck.

Howard

I don't know how I missed this thread until now!? 

Congratulations on the dream job! I think it's fair to say that it couldn't go to a better guy. 

Alaska is on the list and with you up there providing the intel back to all of us I just might make it happen finally.

Just found this thread.  I'm really glad for you Joel but I will really miss seeing you at all the big NCKA events.  It was you that made me feel so welcomed when I first made contact with NCKA. (Still couldn't let you know about the stripers at DeValle  until after my limit though.)

I still remember sitting on Lake Mendocino and hearing your funny comments coming over the VHF.  I thought to myself, that even if the fishing was slow, I could always be entertained by Mooch.

And I recall you screaming at us from the bluff about the GWS as we were launching at the Bean.  (How'd you know he was there before Dan's encounter?)

I'm sure we all have fond memories of our encounters with you.

Best of luck in your new adventure.

Doug

Mooch! I'm glad you're finally making it to the top Top of the lower 48 that is! Hey, don't forget to become a AK resident to take advantage of Alaskan permanent fund dividends. You have to be a resident for a year before you could qualify. But Make sure you look it up and get the ball rolling on it. You have to "Mooch"  some of that oil revenue the state have to give you every Year.  As far as bugjuice i found deet was like a dinner bell to the mosquitoes there. What really works is Skin So soft by Avon. Non toxic and it smells good. I may have a bottle left. If so i will gift it to you. If theres anything i could help you out with just call me or pm me.

Take care bro!

Alex

Dilbeck, mooch will make it a  point to find time to visit the ol gang 

Here I was thinking this was a seasonal thing, I didn't realize it was permanent.  Man, now I'll definitely make the Fish n Chill - at least for a day anyway.

Michael

Joel I hate to see you go but if you gotta that's the place to go . The only problem I see is, you will have to get uses to catching Salmon like these and bigger . This was my first trip to Alaska this year and it recked me for life, will definitely see you off at Del Valle .

Pat R

Mike, thats hilarious, Mooch CONGRATULATIONS!!!!, couldnt happen to a better guy. Dell Valle for sure!

Thank you Mooch for all of the time and extra help that you gave to me and the family at work and on the water.
What an awesome opportunity for a most deserving person.
We will all miss you. Maybe we can go see you some day.
Paul
Steven & Niki (she wants to go with you)
AJ

I wana go I wana go take me Mooch .
That really looks so awesome I would love to spend the summer doing that. Good luck and enjoy this opportunity . When your dressed right I love fishing hunting in the Rain.

Congratulations Mooch. Way cool.