March 10, 1998 

To all my valued and loyal clients over the last 19 years,

As you can tell by the lack of the usual colors, graphics,
and formatting, something must be up this year! As you know
Liz and I had a great little addition to our family a
little over a year ago and I have decided to take at least
this summer off from fishing to watch him grow. I'll
probably have twinges of regret on some of those sunny calm
June days when I know you're all out there sweating over
your rods and reels but I just gotta do this. He's a real
cool little guy and we might have to do some fishing in mud
puddles or something.
Some of you have called or written to ask my advice on who
to go with and I'm suggesting my old buddy Mike Swan on the
"Brazen". As many of you know he had his boat built at the
same time as mine and it's as least as well maintained and
equipped. We both started fishing in 1979 so he's now also
the most experienced 6-pack skipper in the area. He's
better at fishing the shallows than I am so many of you
will find it a welcome relief not having to go down 500
feet for your prey. He's real lucky fishing the kelp beds
around the Barren and Chugach Islands and its always a
thrill to get a 100 pound plus on in 30 feet of water. Many
of you have fished there with me too but Mike has a real
knack for it. 
If you'd like to see his web page its at
http://www.alaska.net/~captmike/ . You can get a look at
the barnacle encrusted old-timer and his boat there as well
as soak up some fishing wisdom in the form of classic
quotes (two of which I couldn't resist copying below).
To get on Mike's boat, you must specifically request him
when you make (or change) your booking since he's also an
owner operator. Otherwise Silver Fox will automatically put
you on one of the company boats. If you'd like to email him
its captmike@alaska.net or by phone 907-235-3978. To make
or change your reservation, call Silver Fox at
1-800-478-8792 and tell them you'd like to go on the
"Brazen" with Capt. Mike and they'll fix you up.
You'll probably still see me skulking around the office
when the boats come in looking a little misty and being led
around by the worlds smallest fisherman. I wish you all the
best and if Mike doesn't put you on a big one let me know
and I'll go put a herring behind the seat in his pickup.
Good Luck!
Ron

"Fishermen are born honest, but they get over it."  Ed Zern 

"They say fish should swim thrice...first it should swim in
the sea, then in butter and at last it should swim in a
good claret."  Jonathan Swift