The Birdman of Polly Creek: Fifty-Five Years in the Alaskan Bush

John Swiss acquired a remote property on the far shore of Cook Inlet, 100 air miles southwest of Anchorage, over half a century ago. Polly Creek, the place of his dreams, is a site of remarkable beauty. Framed by snow-draped peaks, the cabin's front door opens onto expansive razor clam beds, while nearby seas teem with racing salmon, and fresh brown bear tracks pockmark the sand at his doorstep. Moose and bear, beaver, eagles and whales are his neighbors in this wilderness haven.

Throughout the years, John has carved out a legendary existence, trapping, fishing, hunting, prospecting, guiding, and flying. His career as a bear guide spans the Alaskan bear hunting industry from the immediate post-war period to the present day. For all these years, he has guided black and brown bear hunters, and for 18 of the 20 years that polar bear hunting was a popular sport, he has led those expeditions as well.

This book recounts John's spellbinding stories, which unfold gradually, beginning with his upstate New York childhood. He is a true pioneer of the North, and like Daniel Boone and Davy Crockett before him, he has blazed a trail into the unknown land to the west of civilization, carving a life out of the wilderness.

John Swiss is a living embodiment of the Alaskan frontier spirit. His remarkable life and achievements have earned him a place alongside the legendary figures who have shaped the history of this rugged and awe-inspiring land. Through his own words, the reader is invited to experience the wonder and challenges of his remarkable journey, from his humble beginnings to his status as a true icon of the North.

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