Who is The Master Angler?
Who is The Master Angler?Hi, I'm Paul Reed, sometimes referred to (affectionately I hope) by my friends as the Master Angler. I'm originally from Pennsylvania where I grew up hunting and fishing and falling in love with everything outdoors. As a child it was always an ambition of mine to come to Alaska. I was fortunate enough to be able to finagle my way here with the Air Force arriving in June of 1979. I retired from the Air Force in 1985. In 1980 I caught my first King Salmon on the Deshka River and believe me from that moment on I was -Hooked on Alaska-.
In 1981 I ran a charter drop off service on Willow Creek long before the campground at the mouth became a reality (Teelands was the only store in Wasilla). During that time running up and down Willow, to the Deshka and Alexander Creek I not only gained experience and knowledge of boat operation on shallow water streams but I also learned a lot about fishing in Alaska. Some of what I learned came from practical experience but at the same time I was gleaning information from folks around me. I went to work on getting a 6 Pack License (6 Pack licenses weren't required on inland rivers till sometime in the late 80's early 90's) and began to really experience the fun of helping youngsters and oldsters with what is for some a once in a lifetime experience, catching a wild Alaska salmon. I had done some radio work in the past and a good friend of mine, Scotty (real name Larry Grimmett) talked me into doing a fishing report for then KNBZ 99.7 FM Valley Country in 1988. Scotty has since left Alaska but we're still good friends. He's in Madison, Indiana and recently I had the pleasure of spending a month visiting with him and reliving all the good times we had when he was here. He'll be back to fish you can count on it because he's still -Hooked on Alaska-. Well, KNBZ has gone thru some changes over the years and is now known as KMBQ, Valley Radio Q99.7 FM. The Q has a sister station in Anchorage KBYR AM 700 talk radio which also broadcasts on the North Slope. Since 1988 I've been involved with both radio and fishing. Fishing all over the state catching everything from Hooligan to Halibut, shrimping, clamming, and hunting on the mainland and islands has allowed me to see and learn a lot. Anyway, what I was leading up to is that I'm not a MASTER anything. There's only one Master and it's not me. I'm just a guy who loves fishing and the outdoors and has been fortunate enough to experience a lot. I've been lucky enough to have seen the world and fall in love with one place, Alaska. I do have one desire and that is to be able to help others enjoy this great state as much as I have. Last year, my son Paul (not Jr) talked me into putting a website together. What you're visiting is actually his creation. He's young (under 40 is young to me) and full of ideas and ambition. He also teaches the old man from time to time that there are new things to learn not only about fishing but also about life. Together we've learned that helping others is a GOOD thing. Hopefully we're providing YOU something that will help you put the stresses of life behind you and allow you to enjoy the pleasure and great outdoors of Alaska.
Tightlines everyone!
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