“The Alaska Chronicles”

It’s been nearly three years since “The Alaska Chronicles” was published, so you could say I’m a little behind. After battling a barrage of college history books, my love for reading suffered a brutal blow and has since endured a lengthy and strenuous recovery period. I was cruising Amazon a few weeks back and came across Mr. Nolte’s book completely by accident. I’d be withholding information if I didn’t say I instantly had one of those “have you been living under a rock” moments. In the process of ordering “The Alaska Chronicles,” I noticed it was conveniently available as an ebook. I downloaded it and subsequently finished it before I went to sleep that night.

Books of this nature are typically a difficult read for me, I’ll be the first to admit that. Reading about someone else’s adventures on the water seldom holds a candle to enjoying those experiences myself, so I generally avoid the genre altogether. Miles Nolte may be an experienced and well-respected guide, but if he can cast a fly as well as he can write, he deserves an Alaskan river named in his honor. From the opening line to the closing paragraph, The Alaska Chronicles was so beautifully written that it rendered me sleepless when I finished it, a feat few novels from countless bestselling authors have ever managed to accomplish. But the genius of this story wasn’t accomplished with loaded words, embellished descriptive paragraphs, or any sort of artsy literary work at all. Simplicity paved the way, a simplicity that helped me experience Alaska at a level that could only be bested by a plane ticket and a guided trip of my own.

Miles Nolte’s “no bullshit” approach to writing was refreshing, and his story reads as what I can only dare to imagine is the definitive truth behind the highs and lows of working as an Alaskan river guide. He manages to portray his clients in a way that is as respectful as it is critical and humorous. The dip-spitting rednecks, the grateful (and sometimes ungrateful) executives, and the arrogant “pinner” show us that guiding is nothing if not brutally challenging at times, while at other times humbling and rewarding. He manages to highlight the “not so glamorous” side of guiding in one of the most beautiful places in the world, a task not so easily accomplished when addressing what many see as the dream job of all dream jobs. But in an inexplicable sort of way, Miles Nolte makes the experience more desirable. In reading, you feel for him when the fishing fails to cooperate, and you celebrate his triumphs as if you are standing beside him, waist deep with net in hand. Many authors can immerse you in a world of fantasy or terror, but few in my experience can make such a simple reality so overwhelmingly gripping. Every rainy day, every cheap cup of coffee, every moment of motor trouble leaves you wishing you could share in the misery. The Alaska Chronicles is uncut, unaltered truth at it’s finest; and you can’t help but appreciate Nolte’s attention to detail. The lack of polish is ironically what makes this story shine, and the only fault I dare point out is that the story could not avoid an ending.

Two thumbs WAY UP for Miles Nolte and “The Alaska Chronicles.” Looking back, I regret not taking a day out of my busy schedule to read it sooner. Upon completion I immediately ordered a hardcover copy for my ever-expanding library, and I urge anyone who does not own a copy to do the same. The Alaska Chronicles is a must-have book for any fly fisherman, avid or otherwise. Crawl out from under your rock and read it, I couldn’t be more happy that I did.

See you on the river,

-Ben