Tour participants included(left to right): Mike Boylan (Refuge Supervisor), Gary Wheeler (Refuge Manager), Randall Luthi (Deputy Director), and Mike Getman (Deputy Manager). Photo: Mike Getman/USFWS

Randall Luthi, Deputy Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, recently took time during a work assignment to Alaska to partake in a two-day visit to Kodiak Refuge.  His visit began with a tour of the new Refuge visitor center that is currently under construction.  Luthi was then treated to a flight over the west side of the Refuge to view the spectacular scenery and learn about the multitude of activities the Refuge staff is involved with. 

A stop at the Uganik Lake public use cabin sparked a comment from Mr. Luthi that he’ll be returning soon with friends to enjoy more of Kodiak’s splendor and recreation opportunities. 

A visit to the Refuge would not be complete without an overnight stay at the Refuge administrative facilities on Camp Island.  There Luthi enjoyed a grilled king salmon supper prepared for him by Refuge volunteers who were on-site performing annual maintenance work on the facilities.

The next day Luthi and crew hiked in to the Frazer Fish Pass with hopes of viewing Kodiak brown bears up close.  The bears were not cooperative, but a tour of the fish pass was informative and watching hundreds of sockeyes swim upriver to spawn was exhilarating.  The search for bears continued to be challenging, as they had not gathered around salmon streams yet this year.  The group finally located some bears on the Red River and enjoyed watching them fish.  A flight along the rugged and scenic east shore of Kodiak Island completed a fine and enjoyable trip.