President Message – I clearly recall the silhouettes of mother and daughter picking blueberries from the Alaska tundra. There they were, thirty-something Kimberly and five-year old Faith, playing out the ageless human task of hunting and gathering. If they were lucky and collected a great bounty of berries, the guests, fishing guides and staff of the Goodnews River Lodge would be eating fresh pie soon. What I didn’t realize at the time was how delicious and unforgettable this treat would be for all of us.
When you’re working in the outback of Alaska, thousands of miles from home, something like a slice of blueberry pie, or the smiles from a mother and daughter working a berry patch, can help make your longest work day a lot better. Mike, Kim and Faith Gorton understood what it took to work in this environment as well as anyone. In fact, every summer they returned to the Goodnews River so generations of anglers could come join them and celebrate what is arguably the world’s best fishing for chinook, coho, chum, sock-eye and pink salmon.
Kim had a special way of keeping the daily operation of the Lodge running smoothly, while Mike, aka “The River Keeper,” took his place in the active daily guide rotation. Yes, everyone who knew of Kim’s knack for keeping the camp and its staff in line, while maintaining a maternal relationship with her young daughter in a place so full of men, knew that she was an amazing person. Kim had the tough spirit to stand up to the task.
From now on, the spirit of Kimberly Gorton will join those blessed anglers each summer fishing the three branches of the Goodnews River. She will be greatly missed by all, but more so by Mike, Faith and all of us who have ever had the pleasure of working at the Lodge. May her spirit be at rest. An Education Fund for Faith has been established. Make checks payable to Faith Gorton, UTMA, c/o 4066 Wolf Lake Dr., Lewiston, Michigan 49756.
Rodney Smith, President
Anglers for Conservation
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