Today, your remarkably humbled editor would like to take a quick detour in tone to announce that this will be my final post as the editor of the Deneki blog. After careful consideration, I’ve made the decision to pursue another opportunity within the industry that will unfortunately render me unable to continue to oversee the content of the blog. Not to worry – the show will go on!
Only those closest to me are likely to understand the impact that the Deneki brand has had on my life over the past six years, yet I feel compelled to share a quick story that may help illustrate it.
I used to read the Deneki blog while attending college in Maine in 2009. From the funk of my dorm room, I practically wore the edges off of my favorite fly fishing DVD, one that was filmed on-site at none-other than Alaska West, as I sought solace from too much time spent in the classroom and not enough time spent on the water. On more than one occasion, my roommates wondered in awe as to how someone could watch the same ‘fishing video’ so many times. It was back then, before my first guide gig or published article, that the Deneki brand and deep roots of the Alaska West family tree became a legacy I aspired to be a part of.
Fast forward nearly a decade, over 1400 blog posts later, after six incredible seasons guiding and overseeing the fishing program at Alaska West, and working as part of the management team at Andros South, my heart has never been fuller.
It’s been a dream come true to have had the opportunity to connect with so many in the fly fishing community. Although I intend to continue to do so through other channels, I want to thank each and every one of you who contributed, commented, or so much as read a single word on the Deneki blog over the years, as well as those with whom I’ve shared a boat, a tent, a gravel bar, or a bottle of Kalik with along the way.
Make no mistake: each of you allowed me to fulfill a dream, something I’m fully aware not everyone is fortunate enough to experience. For that I am eternally grateful. Thank You.
What a trip it’s been. But, as is the case with all fishing trips, “last casts” are a necessity. Not in an inevitably finite sense, but because last casts are a requisite for new fishing trips. Here’s to the next one.
Hope to see you out there.
Kyle Shea
You will be missed. Thanks for all the great times and congratulations on your new journey. Keep in touch. All the best…
P.S. You taking that ratty Patagonia hat with you?
All the best with your future endeavors. It has been a privilege to know you and have always enjoyed fishing with you.
You are a real gentleman.
And of course your blogs have been brilliant.
Hasta Luego
Onejeppolino
Wishing you all the best Kyle. It’s been a pleasure working with you.
Your attention to detail in everything you do shows and I’d like to say “thank you” on behalf of everyone that you have helped on the water and along the way.
Please keep in touch and hope to see you soon buddy!
Kyle:
Your words and photos were always a year round link to the water and fish that we could not always access.
You have made a difference in the cultural totality of what we know as the Deneki experience. Climb higher, dive deeper and come up dryer.
Pete Viau
We will miss you, Kyle! I’ve enjoyed reading these posts the last couple of years. I’m glad they’re in the archives! Best wishes,
Joe
Kyle
Best of luck for the future, we anglers will surely miss you along with the Company. Your help since 2012 has been greatly appreciated and the blog most informative, having read most of them.
Stay as cool
Best wishes
Gordon
I would like to echo the sentiments of the other comments. I really have enjoyed your blogs over the years and thank you for making the non fishing tedium more exciting for those of us who can’t fish as much as we would like
Kyle, thanks so much for your blog. It was a pleasure to read. I’m going to miss you up on the Kanektok this coming June.
Best of luck in your new adventure!
Kyle, We will miss your cheerful company and good natured instruction. Any place you go will benefit from your presence.
Thanks so much for the kind words, John, the pleasure has been all mine.
Thanks Steve. Super happy you enjoyed the content, and I’ll surely miss you on the Kanektok as well. We’ve certainly seen some wild things in the boat together (particularly when ‘training’ guides, ha). Keep in touch my friend.
Thanks for the kind words, Neil, I appreciate you reaching out and glad we were able to stoke the fly fishing flame during those times not on the water.. There’s nothing I find more rewarding. Thanks again!
Hi Gordon, so great to hear from you. Thanks so much for your kind words and our time spent on the water. Unforgettable! Hope all is well!
Thanks Joe, I will surely miss it as well! Glad you’ve enjoyed the content of late, but definitely dig into those archives.. They’re all there! Thanks again for following along!
Thanks so much, Pete. Its been a pleasure getting to know you as a friend, and I can’t thank you enough for these sentiments. They mean the world. Stay in touch!
Thanks so much Stu! Its greatly appreciated. Can’t thank you enough for all that you’ve done as well. Its been a pleasure working with you my friend. Talk soon.
Thanks so much Nic, the privilege is all mine. Hope to fish together again down the road. Keep in touch my friend, and thanks so much for the kind words.
Thanks Pat! And thank YOU for the great times as well. We’ll keep in touch for sure.
P.S.S. Don’t leave home without it.
Thanks buddy!
Kyle,
I feel fortunate to have had the privilege of fishing with you this summer. Your blog provided the catalyst that propelled me to book a trip of a lifetime with Alaska West. Best of luck in your new adventures.
Thank you for contributing all those years. I looked forward to every new article that was published – I used to catch up on the Deneki blog all too often while in college when studying should of taken precedence. It’s been a pleasure reading. Thank you
I’ve enjoyed your excellent posts. Good luck on your new gig and we hope to hear from you soon.
Eric
Great content. Strong work. Good luck.
Have good fishing,
Stoney
Enjoyed fishing and talking fish with you
You are what every guide ,mentor should be like:
Full of knowledge and readily share it with anyone
Great instructor that is patient
Works hard for client and does not give up
Cusses in a nice way and too often
Drinks beer!!
Has a great infectious smile
You will be missed
Wherever you go you will make a impact
Kyle,
I’ve had the pleasure of fishing with you on the Kanektok, peppering you with questions on gear and technique, and observing how your professionalism set a standard for the Alaska West guide staff (which was awesome to begin with). Under your stewardship, this blog has become one of the great written resources available to anyone who angles North American water. The detailed technical expertise assembled here is incredible, and knowing that it was earned and vetted over thousands of man/days of experience, by passionate, thoughtful and curious anglers such as yourself, makes it solid gold. All the best on your new ventures. The experiences you’ve put in the bank in your time with Deneki are already yours forever.
Sorry to hear you are leaving Deneki, I was hoping to fish with you again up on the Kanektok. You were a huge part of making that the trip of my lifetime, learned a lot from the Bow King, and I enjoy every blog and picture you publish. Knowing you will do well wherever, all I can say is thanks and keep a tight line.
Hi Paul,
The fortune is all mine.. It was great getting to know you and your family, and our day on the water together is one I won’t soon forget (how could you forget a ‘buzzer beater’ like that!). So glad the content played a part in your journey to Alaska, and even more happy we were able to contribute to a trip of a lifetime.. Hope all is well Paul and hope our paths cross again soon!
Thanks so much Greg! This is an incredible and humbling compliment. Can’t thank you enough for taking the time to reach out. Hope all is well, and hope our paths cross again soon!
Thanks Stoney! Appreciate the kind words and glad you enjoyed the content along the way. Have fun out there!
Hi Eric,
Thanks so much for the kind words. Super glad you’ve enjoyed the content and I really appreciate you taking the time to not only read, but comment along the way. Believe me when I say it didn’t go unnoticed. Thanks again!
Hi Tom,
You’re most welcome. Happy to hear you’ve enjoyed reading the content and humbled that it was able to serve as a relief during your studies (there are so many ways to procrastinate in college, ha!). Thanks for following along, it means the world.
Hi Gary,
Thanks so much. So glad we were able to spend a day together (what a day it was!) and extremely humbled to hear you felt your trip was a trip of a lifetime. Glad you enjoyed the content and felt you learned a little something along the way. Hope all is well and please give my best to Jeremy as well!
Kathy and I always appreciated your hard work and friendly face, even though you had to work with a tall blonde boy.
Hi Bryan,
Tall blonde boy aside, its been an absolute pleasure getting to know you and Kathy over the years. Appreciate you both to the fullest and hope to see you soon!
Kyle,
Best of wishes in your new endeavor. Whoever you will be working for is fortunate, indeed. I’ve appreciated your calm, cheerful, and professional presence at Alaska West and Andros South, watching you make 100 ft casts on the the beach look easy, and your extensive, informative and well written blog.
PS: I especially loved your full disclosure statements.
Kyle, I looked forward to your thoughtful and informative weekly zinger more than any other one out there. Loved your casting tips. Thank you so much!
Best of luck in your new gig.