Alan The Fisherman
Autumn Novotny reports about her older brother, Alan Novotny, who fishes from Marilyn’s pond in Reno to the Tsiu River in Alaska.
“It’s a sport. It’s relaxing too. When you’re just relaxing with your family or friends, you know, it’s always a good time. Then when you have a fish on, it’s a lot of fun. It’s exhilarating: catching something to eat and you’re putting in work for what you will actually be making for dinner.”
-Alan Novotny
For my older brother, Alan Novotny, the fishing he does in Reno is a little different compared to Alaska fishing. When he fishes at Marilyn’s pond in Reno, he relaxes in a fold-out chair around the small man-made pond where he will do basic worm and hook casting. In Alaska, he is standing in waders in the moving Tsiu River while fly fishing. He has been going to Alaska every August since he was 11 years old.
Now at 23, he still thoroughly enjoys fishing in Yakutat on the Tsiu River. To get to the secluded fishing cabin he has to take a little nerve wracking six-seater biplane.
With no internet and being completely off the grid, the group of guys (family and friends) recently spent their time, “catching as many salmon as possible, getting some scenic views, and maybe see some bears.”
The men in my family have been going on this Alaskan fishing guy’s trip for 31 years. Alan will usually catch around 40 salmon a day, each weighing around 10 to 18 pounds and he claims “they always put up a fight.”
Fishing, specifically fly fishing, has always been one of his greatest passions and most loved hobbies.
“[My dad] taught me everything I know,” he said. “Ever since I can remember it’s always been a part of my life.”
In Reno, Alan regularly will fish at Marilyn’s pond located in Galena Creek Regional Park. He has spent many of his weekends here at the pond. He usually will do catch and release, but every once in a while he will catch the fish and filet them for dinner.
Funny Anecdote (Alaska Story)
At the cabin in Alaska, there is a “Wall of Shame” where the fishermen can create lures out of random items. For example, there is a wine cork, key chain, beer cap with feathers, toothpaste tube, and even a tampon holder. To get on the Wall, the fisherman has to catch two fish with their makeshift lure.
Alan has been trying to get on this wall for many years, and this year he finally did it.
“I found a little troll doll that had some green hair on it and I put a little flash on it to make it look sparkly,” he said. “Then I shoved a hook up its ass and sawed its arms off.”
