</div></div><p>SEATTLE — It was a bit warmer Tuesday morning on the shores of Union Bay than on Alaska’s Kenai River.</p><p>I spent the better part of my Saturday in the latter, part of a three-day bachelor party for a Friend of the Program who will remain nameless (I mean, he <em>has</em> a name, I’m just not going to say it here). Plans for a halibut charter out of Whittier were scrapped when the company’s boat broke down the day prior, but a most resourceful member of our traveling party was able to book a last-minute guided trip on the Kenai.</p><p>Our crew of (mostly) novice anglers came up short of the daily limit, but did pull enough sockeye to ship about 50 pounds home. Right about the time the Huskies were finishing their Saturday scrimmage, in fact, we were gathered around three filets at an AirBnb in Anchorage. (I love my job. I also love that it affords me the flexibility to enjoy my life.)</p><p>Thanks to Ethan and Alex for filling in while I was away (and to my wife for abiding the adventure, with mere salmon her only repayment). I was back with the Huskies on a scorching Tuesday, though, and have plenty of notes and observations from that workout, including an encouraging injury update.</p><p>(And I’ll once again encourage you to subscribe to <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@OnMontlake?ref=onmontlake.com">On Montlake’s YouTube channel</a> for more content like you see above.)</p> <aside class="gh-post-upgrade-cta bg-bgr-tone border border-brd-soft border-t-3 border-t-typ text-typ mt-8 max-w-150 mx-auto z-1"> <div class="gh-post-upgrade-cta-content"> <h2 class="text-typ! text-balance"> This post is for paying subscribers only </h2> <a class="kg-button gh-btn rounded-btn! bg-brand! text-brand-contrast! hover:brightness-110 font-medium!" data-portal="signup" href="#/portal/signup">Subscribe now</a> <p class="text-typ"><small>Already have an account? <a class="kg-link text-typ! hover:text-brand! hover:opacity-100! decoration-2! underline-offset-2!" data-portal="signin" href="#/portal/signin">Sign in</a></small></p> </div> </aside> </article> </main> <footer class="px-5 sm:px-6 mt-16 font-sans" data-footer> <div class="max-w-site mx-auto border-t-4 border-brd flex flex-col"> <div class="flex flex-wrap gap-4 items-end justify-between border-b border-brd-soft pt-6 pb-4"> <a href="https://www.onmontlake.com" data-brand class=""> <picture data-logo='default'> <source srcset="/content/images/size/w100/format/webp/2026/02/Montlake-Logo-01--1--3.PNG 100w, /content/images/size/w320/format/webp/2026/02/Montlake-Logo-01--1--3.PNG 320w, /content/images/size/w640/format/webp/2026/02/Montlake-Logo-01--1--3.PNG 600w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 200px, 320px" type="image/webp" > <img class="h-[var(--logo-h-mobile)] w-[var(--logo-w-mobile)] md:h-[var(--logo-h-desktop)] md:w-[var(--logo-w-desktop)] will-change-[filter] transition-[filter] blur" onload="this.classList.remove('blur')" loading="lazy" srcset="/content/images/size/w100/format/webp/2026/02/Montlake-Logo-01--1--3.PNG 100w, /content/images/size/w320/format/webp/2026/02/Montlake-Logo-01--1--3.PNG 320w, /content/images/size/w640/format/webp/2026/02/Montlake-Logo-01--1--3.PNG 640w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 200px, 320px" src="/content/images/size/w30/2026/02/Montlake-Logo-01--1--3.PNG" alt="On Montlake" /> </picture> </a> <nav class="flex flex-wrap gap-2.5 items-center" data-socials="" > <a :href="socials.bluesky" :class="socials.bluesky && '!block'" class="hidden flex p-2 bg-bgr-tone border border-brd-soft hover:border-typ hover:bg-typ hover:text-bgr rounded-full" aria-label="Bluesky"><i class="icon icon-brand-bluesky stroke-2 size-4 md:size-4.5" role="presentation"> <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="24" height="24" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="icon icon-tabler icons-tabler-outline icon-tabler-brand-bluesky"><path stroke="none" d="M0 0h24v24H0z" fill="none"/><path d="M6.335 5.144c-1.654 -1.199 -4.335 -2.127 -4.335 .826c0 .59 .35 4.953 .556 5.661c.713 2.463 3.13 2.75 5.444 2.369c-4.045 .665 -4.889 3.208 -2.667 5.41c1.03 1.018 1.913 1.59 2.667 1.59c2 0 3.134 -2.769 3.5 -3.5c.333 -.667 .5 -1.167 .5 -1.5c0 .333 .167 .833 .5 1.5c.366 .731 1.5 3.5 3.5 3.5c.754 0 1.637 -.571 2.667 -1.59c2.222 -2.203 1.378 -4.746 -2.667 -5.41c2.314 .38 4.73 .094 5.444 -2.369c.206 -.708 .556 -5.072 .556 -5.661c0 -2.953 -2.68 -2.025 -4.335 -.826c-2.293 1.662 -4.76 5.048 -5.665 6.856c-.905 -1.808 -3.372 -5.194 -5.665 -6.856z" /></svg> </i><span class="sr-only">Bluesky</span></a> <a :href="socials.discord" :class="socials.discord && '!block'" class="hidden flex p-2 bg-bgr-tone border border-brd-soft hover:border-typ hover:bg-typ hover:text-bgr rounded-full" aria-label="Discord"><i class="icon icon-brand-discord stroke-2 size-4 md:size-4.5" role="presentation"> <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="24" height="24" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="icon icon-tabler icons-tabler-outline icon-tabler-brand-discord"> <path stroke="none" d="M0 0h24v24H0z" fill="none" /> <path d="M8 12a1 1 0 1 0 2 0a1 1 0 0 0 -2 0" /> <path d="M14 12a1 1 0 1 0 2 0a1 1 0 0 0 -2 0" /> <path d="M15.5 17c0 1 1.5 3 2 3c1.5 0 2.833 -1.667 3.5 -3c.667 -1.667 .5 -5.833 -1.5 -11.5c-1.457 -1.015 -3 -1.34 -4.5 -1.5l-.972 1.923a11.913 11.913 0 0 0 -4.053 0l-.975 -1.923c-1.5 .16 -3.043 .485 -4.5 1.5c-2 5.667 -2.167 9.833 -1.5 11.5c.667 1.333 2 3 3.5 3c.5 0 2 -2 2 -3" /> <path d="M7 16.5c3.5 1 6.5 1 10 0" /> </svg> </i><span class="sr-only">Discord</span></a> <a :href="socials.github" :class="socials.github && '!block'" class="hidden flex p-2 bg-bgr-tone border border-brd-soft hover:border-typ hover:bg-typ hover:text-bgr rounded-full" aria-label="Github"><i class="icon icon-brand-github stroke-2 size-4 md:size-4.5" role="presentation"> <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" class="icon icon-tabler icon-tabler-brand-github" width="24" height="24" viewBox="0 0 24 24" stroke-width="2" stroke="currentColor" fill="none" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round"> <path stroke="none" d="M0 0h24v24H0z" fill="none"/> <path d="M9 19c-4.3 1.4 -4.3 -2.5 -6 -3m12 5v-3.5c0 -1 .1 -1.4 -.5 -2c2.8 -.3 5.5 -1.4 5.5 -6a4.6 4.6 0 0 0 -1.3 -3.2a4.2 4.2 0 0 0 -.1 -3.2s-1.1 -.3 -3.5 1.3a12.3 12.3 0 0 0 -6.2 0c-2.4 -1.6 -3.5 -1.3 -3.5 -1.3a4.2 4.2 0 0 0 -.1 3.2a4.6 4.6 0 0 0 -1.3 3.2c0 4.6 2.7 5.7 5.5 6c-.6 .6 -.6 1.2 -.5 2v3.5" /> </svg> </i><span class="sr-only">Github</span></a> <a :href="socials.instagram" :class="socials.instagram && '!block'" class="hidden flex p-2 bg-bgr-tone border border-brd-soft hover:border-typ hover:bg-typ hover:text-bgr rounded-full" aria-label="Instagram"><i class="icon icon-brand-instagram stroke-2 size-4 md:size-4.5" role="presentation"> <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" class="icon icon-tabler icon-tabler-brand-instagram" width="24" height="24" viewBox="0 0 24 24" stroke-width="2" stroke="currentColor" fill="none" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round"> <path stroke="none" d="M0 0h24v24H0z" fill="none"/> <rect x="4" y="4" width="16" height="16" rx="4" /> <circle cx="12" cy="12" r="3" /> <line x1="16.5" y1="7.5" x2="16.5" y2="7.501" /> </svg> </i><span class="sr-only">Instagram</span></a> <a :href="socials.linkedin" :class="socials.linkedin && '!block'" class="hidden flex p-2 bg-bgr-tone border border-brd-soft hover:border-typ hover:bg-typ hover:text-bgr rounded-full" aria-label="Linkedin"><i class="icon icon-brand-linkedin stroke-2 size-4 md:size-4.5" role="presentation"> <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" class="icon icon-tabler icon-tabler-brand-linkedin" width="24" height="24" viewBox="0 0 24 24" stroke-width="2" stroke="currentColor" fill="none" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round"> <path d="M16 8a6 6 0 0 1 6 6v7h-4v-7a2 2 0 0 0-2-2 2 2 0 0 0-2 2v7h-4v-7a6 6 0 0 1 6-6z"></path> <rect x="2" y="9" width="4" height="12"></rect> <circle cx="4" cy="4" r="2"></circle> </svg> </i><span class="sr-only">Linkedin</span></a> <a :href="socials.mastodon" :class="socials.mastodon && '!block'" class="hidden flex p-2 bg-bgr-tone border border-brd-soft hover:border-typ hover:bg-typ hover:text-bgr rounded-full" aria-label="Mastodon"><i class="icon icon-brand-mastodon stroke-2 size-4 md:size-4.5" role="presentation"> <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="24" height="24" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="icon icon-tabler icons-tabler-outline icon-tabler-brand-mastodon"><path stroke="none" d="M0 0h24v24H0z" fill="none"/><path d="M18.648 15.254c-1.816 1.763 -6.648 1.626 -6.648 1.626a18.262 18.262 0 0 1 -3.288 -.256c1.127 1.985 4.12 2.81 8.982 2.475c-1.945 2.013 -13.598 5.257 -13.668 -7.636l-.026 -1.154c0 -3.036 .023 -4.115 1.352 -5.633c1.671 -1.91 6.648 -1.666 6.648 -1.666s4.977 -.243 6.648 1.667c1.329 1.518 1.352 2.597 1.352 5.633s-.456 4.074 -1.352 4.944z" /><path d="M12 11.204v-2.926c0 -1.258 -.895 -2.278 -2 -2.278s-2 1.02 -2 2.278v4.722m4 -4.722c0 -1.258 .895 -2.278 2 -2.278s2 1.02 2 2.278v4.722" /></svg> </i><span class="sr-only">Mastodon</span></a> <a :href="socials.pinterest" :class="socials.pinterest && '!block'" class="hidden flex p-2 bg-bgr-tone border border-brd-soft hover:border-typ hover:bg-typ hover:text-bgr rounded-full" aria-label="Pinterest"><i class="icon icon-brand-pinterest stroke-2 size-4 md:size-4.5" role="presentation"> <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" class="icon icon-tabler icon-tabler-brand-pinterest" width="24" height="24" viewBox="0 0 24 24" stroke-width="2" stroke="currentColor" fill="none" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round"> <path stroke="none" d="M0 0h24v24H0z" fill="none"/> <line x1="8" y1="20" x2="12" y2="11" /> <path d="M10.7 14c.437 1.263 1.43 2 2.55 2c2.071 0 3.75 -1.554 3.75 -4a5 5 0 1 0 -9.7 1.7" /> <circle cx="12" cy="12" r="9" /> </svg> </i><span class="sr-only">Pinterest</span></a> <a :href="socials.reddit" :class="socials.reddit && '!block'" class="hidden flex p-2 bg-bgr-tone border border-brd-soft hover:border-typ hover:bg-typ hover:text-bgr rounded-full" aria-label="Reddit"><i class="icon icon-brand-reddit stroke-2 size-4 md:size-4.5" role="presentation"> <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" class="icon icon-tabler icon-tabler-brand-reddit" width="24" height="24" viewBox="0 0 24 24" stroke-width="2" stroke="currentColor" fill="none" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round"> <path stroke="none" d="M0 0h24v24H0z" fill="none"/> <path d="M12 8c2.648 0 5.028 .826 6.675 2.14a2.5 2.5 0 0 1 2.326 4.36c0 3.59 -4.03 6.5 -9 6.5c-4.875 0 -8.845 -2.8 -9 -6.294l-1 -.206a2.5 2.5 0 0 1 2.326 -4.36c1.646 -1.313 4.026 -2.14 6.674 -2.14z" /> <path d="M12 8l1 -5l6 1" /> <circle cx="19" cy="4" r="1" /> <circle cx="9" cy="13" r=".5" fill="currentColor" /> <circle cx="15" cy="13" r=".5" fill="currentColor" /> <path d="M10 17c.667 .333 1.333 .5 2 .5s1.333 -.167 2 -.5" /> </svg> </i><span class="sr-only">Reddit</span></a> <a :href="socials.telegram" :class="socials.telegram && '!block'" class="hidden flex p-2 bg-bgr-tone border border-brd-soft hover:border-typ hover:bg-typ hover:text-bgr rounded-full" aria-label="Telegram"><i class="icon icon-brand-telegram stroke-2 size-4 md:size-4.5" role="presentation"> <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" class="icon icon-tabler icon-tabler-brand-telegram" width="24" height="24" viewBox="0 0 24 24" stroke-width="2" stroke="currentColor" fill="none" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round"> <path stroke="none" d="M0 0h24v24H0z" fill="none"/> <path d="M15 10l-4 4l6 6l4 -16l-18 7l4 2l2 6l3 -4" /> </svg> </i><span class="sr-only">Telegram</span></a> <a :href="socials.threads" :class="socials.threads && '!block'" class="hidden flex p-2 bg-bgr-tone border border-brd-soft hover:border-typ hover:bg-typ hover:text-bgr rounded-full" aria-label="Threads"><i class="icon icon-brand-threads stroke-2 size-4 md:size-4.5" role="presentation"> <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="24" height="24" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="icon icon-tabler icons-tabler-outline icon-tabler-brand-threads"> <path stroke="none" d="M0 0h24v24H0z" fill="none" /> <path d="M19 7.5c-1.333 -3 -3.667 -4.5 -7 -4.5c-5 0 -8 2.5 -8 9s3.5 9 8 9s7 -3 7 -5s-1 -5 -7 -5c-2.5 0 -3 1.25 -3 2.5c0 1.5 1 2.5 2.5 2.5c2.5 0 3.5 -1.5 3.5 -5s-2 -4 -3 -4s-1.833 .333 -2.5 1" /> </svg> </i><span class="sr-only">Threads</span></a> <a :href="socials.tiktok" :class="socials.tiktok && '!block'" class="hidden flex p-2 bg-bgr-tone border border-brd-soft hover:border-typ hover:bg-typ hover:text-bgr rounded-full" aria-label="Tiktok"><i class="icon icon-brand-tiktok stroke-2 size-4 md:size-4.5" role="presentation"> <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" class="icon icon-tabler icon-tabler-brand-tiktok" width="24" height="24" viewBox="0 0 24 24" stroke-width="2" stroke="currentColor" fill="none" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round"> <path stroke="none" d="M0 0h24v24H0z" fill="none"/> <path d="M9 12a4 4 0 1 0 4 4v-12a5 5 0 0 0 5 5" /> </svg> </i><span class="sr-only">Tiktok</span></a> <a :href="socials.whatsapp" :class="socials.whatsapp && '!block'" class="hidden flex p-2 bg-bgr-tone border border-brd-soft hover:border-typ hover:bg-typ hover:text-bgr rounded-full" aria-label="Whatsapp"><i class="icon icon-brand-whatsapp stroke-2 size-4 md:size-4.5" role="presentation"> <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" class="icon icon-tabler icon-tabler-brand-whatsapp" width="24" height="24" viewBox="0 0 24 24" stroke-width="2" stroke="currentColor" fill="none" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round"> <path stroke="none" d="M0 0h24v24H0z" fill="none"/> <path d="M3 21l1.65 -3.8a9 9 0 1 1 3.4 2.9l-5.05 .9" /> <path d="M9 10a0.5 .5 0 0 0 1 0v-1a0.5 .5 0 0 0 -1 0v1a5 5 0 0 0 5 5h1a0.5 .5 0 0 0 0 -1h-1a0.5 .5 0 0 0 0 1" /> </svg> </i><span class="sr-only">Whatsapp</span></a> <a :href="socials.youtube" :class="socials.youtube && '!block'" class="hidden flex p-2 bg-bgr-tone border border-brd-soft hover:border-typ hover:bg-typ hover:text-bgr rounded-full" aria-label="Youtube"><i class="icon icon-brand-youtube stroke-2 size-4 md:size-4.5" role="presentation"> <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" class="icon icon-tabler icon-tabler-brand-youtube" width="24" height="24" viewBox="0 0 24 24" stroke-width="2" stroke="currentColor" fill="none" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round"> <rect x="3" y="5" width="18" height="14" rx="4" /> <path d="M10 9l5 3l-5 3z" /> </svg> </i><span class="sr-only">Youtube</span></a> <a :href="socials.rss" :class="socials.rss && '!block'" class="hidden flex p-2 bg-bgr-tone border border-brd-soft hover:border-typ hover:bg-typ hover:text-bgr rounded-full" aria-label="RSS"><i class="icon icon-rss stroke-2 size-4 md:size-4.5" role="presentation"> <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" class="icon icon-tabler icon-tabler-rss" width="24" height="24" viewBox="0 0 24 24" stroke-width="2" stroke="currentColor" fill="none" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round"> <path stroke="none" d="M0 0h24v24H0z" fill="none"/> <circle cx="5" cy="19" r="1" /> <path d="M4 4a16 16 0 0 1 16 16" /> <path d="M4 11a9 9 0 0 1 9 9" /> </svg> </i><span class="sr-only">RSS</span></a> </nav> </div> <div class="flex flex-col gap-4 md:flex-row py-5" x-init="$nextTick(() => { Array.from($el.querySelectorAll('.is-subitem')).forEach(item => { const itemName = item.querySelector('a span'); itemName.textContent = itemName.textContent.trim().slice(1); }); })"> <div class="flex flex-col gap-4 flex-3 text-base"> <nav class="relative justify-start font-medium hidden" data-nav="primary"> <ul class="flex flex-wrap gap-1"> <li class="nav-home flex items-center relative rounded-theme [&:not(:last-of-type)]:after:content-['/'] after:text-brd-soft after:mx-2 after:font-normal [&:has(a[href='#'])]:hidden" data-label="Home" data-slug="home" data-length="4"> <a class="w-full flex rounded-theme hover:text-brand" href="https://www.onmontlake.com/" > <span>Home</span> </a> </li> <li class="nav-about flex items-center relative rounded-theme [&:not(:last-of-type)]:after:content-['/'] after:text-brd-soft after:mx-2 after:font-normal [&:has(a[href='#'])]:hidden" data-label="About" data-slug="about" data-length="5"> <a class="w-full flex rounded-theme hover:text-brand" href="https://www.onmontlake.com/about/" > <span>About</span> </a> </li> <li class="nav-say-who-say-pod flex items-center relative rounded-theme [&:not(:last-of-type)]:after:content-['/'] after:text-brd-soft after:mx-2 after:font-normal [&:has(a[href='#'])]:hidden" data-label="Say Who, Say Pod" data-slug="say-who-say-pod" data-length="16"> <a class="w-full flex rounded-theme hover:text-brand" href="https://www.onmontlake.com/podcast/" > <span>Say Who, Say Pod</span> </a> </li> <li class="nav-tips-and-donations flex items-center relative rounded-theme [&:not(:last-of-type)]:after:content-['/'] after:text-brd-soft after:mx-2 after:font-normal [&:has(a[href='#'])]:hidden" data-label="Tips and Donations" data-slug="tips-and-donations" data-length="18"> <a class="w-full flex rounded-theme hover:text-brand" href="https://onmontlake.com/tips-and-donations/" > <span>Tips and Donations</span> </a> </li> <li class="nav-membership flex items-center relative rounded-theme [&:not(:last-of-type)]:after:content-['/'] after:text-brd-soft after:mx-2 after:font-normal [&:has(a[href='#'])]:hidden" data-label="Membership" data-slug="membership" data-length="10"> <a class="w-full flex rounded-theme hover:text-brand" href="https://onmontlake.com/membership/" > <span>Membership</span> </a> </li> </ul> </nav> <nav class="relative justify-start" data-nav="secondary"> <ul class="flex flex-wrap gap-1"> <li class="nav-sign-up flex items-center relative rounded-theme [&:not(:last-of-type)]:after:content-['/'] after:text-brd-soft after:mx-2 after:font-normal [&:has(a[href='#'])]:hidden" data-label="Sign up" data-slug="sign-up" data-length="7"> <a class="w-full flex rounded-theme hover:text-brand" href="#/portal/" role="button" > <span>Sign up</span> </a> </li> </ul> </nav> </div> </div> <div class="lex flex-wrap items-center gap-2 relative py-4 border-t border-brd-soft"> <div class="text-sm"> <span data-footer-date>©2026 <a class="hover:text-brand" href="https://www.onmontlake.com">On Montlake</a>.</span> <span data-footer-ghost>Published with <a class="hover:text-brand" href="https://ghost.org">Ghost</a></span> <span data-footer-theme>& <a class="hover:text-brand" href="https://brightthemes.com/themes/gazet">Gazet</a>.</span> </div> </div> </div> </footer> <script>window.socials = { rss: '/rss/' }</script> <script>window.socials = { rss: '/rss/' }</script> <script>window.socials = { rss: '/rss/' }</script> <template data-toggle-template> <button class="ml-1 cursor-pointer hover:text-brand" data-class="rotate-180" title="Menu toggle" aria-label="Menu toggle" aria-controls="" aria-expanded="false" @click="toggleDropdown(event)" > <i class="icon icon-chevron-down size-4 stroke-2" role="presentation"> <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" class="icon icon-tabler icon-tabler-chevron-down" width="24" height="24" viewBox="0 0 24 24" stroke-width="2" stroke="currentColor" fill="none" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round"> <path stroke="none" d="M0 0h24v24H0z" fill="none"></path> <polyline points="6 9 12 15 18 9"></polyline> </svg> </i> </button> </template> </body> </html>
