Double Rainbows

Before we left for Alaska I wrote about being unhappy it was going to be cold while we were there. Not Arctic-cold like in the winter, but I was leaving my hot and humid summer for a place where I’d have to be layered up with clothes.

Because I was busy at work and home, I did no research before our Alaska vacation. I knew we’d be catching salmon, but beyond that I didn’t know what else we might catch. On our first flyout we targeted Arctic grayling, Dolly Vardens and rainbow trout. While they’re all special, rainbows are the most prized in that region because they grow unusually hard and fight like junkyard dogs.

The drive from Bear Trail Lodge to Branch River Air Service was brisk and as we parked the car above the river bank, across the water we could see a bright double rainbow.

In later research, I learned that in order to form a rainbow sunlight needs to strike and reflect a raindrop. For a double it needs to strike and reflect twice, at around 42 degrees. 

Yes the degrees were in angles BUT it was also 42 degrees outside. Not my preferred weather, but I still had hope for the day.

Was it a sign that we were going to catch rainbow trout at our destination?

Apparently, the scenery told the story in advance. Check it out for yourself -- double rainbows!