Fishin's the Mission

Jim Creek, Palmer AK
August 2015

Fish Creek, Wasilla AK
August 2015

Silver Salmon are running here in the Matsu Valley, and we have been trying our best to catch them! Thus far, Alexander is the only one fortunate enough to land one.  Thank goodness we have the food sealer, freezer, and stove to cook them on and he's willing to share.  It's been a busy few weeks here, and we are all scurrying at a frenzied pace!

The fireweed blossoms have topped the stalks, and many have begun to "whisker."  According to locals that equals approximately 6 weeks until winter.  The leaves are beginning to turn the lightest shades of yellow, and the rains began in earnest yesterday.  And incredibly, the darkness has descended upon us yet again when we weren't even looking!  We have about 3-4 solid hours of darkness in the wee hours of the morning now.  We had gotten so used to sleeping in the sunshine, that the darkness crept in on us.  Ironically, though, we are all resting better -- sleeping deeper.  And we need it, given our recent schedules...

First Day Salmon Fishing
August 2015

Since the last blog, we've had an opportunity to visit with most of the neighbors on Kaylynn for a birthday party for Marcus's and Karen's children (the family from South Africa), meet up with Rebekah Bunts (a familiar face from Rockwell, NC) for fro-yo (she was here for a friend's wedding), try to help Michael as he was on a special detail for VA Secretary McDonald's visit (51 hours of OT), and fish unabashedly whenever possible!  Ethan and I started school in earnest August 3; however, we have relaxed on a few subjects for berry picking, fishing, fair preparation, and hunting.  If anything, we are thankful we started early (so we could "take a break" that coincides with the salmon runs).  It has given us an opportunity to reflect on the early history of our country and appreciate how schools altered their calendars to assist farmers with planting and harvest seasons.  Since this is our first "official" salmon season, we have followed suit with an altered schedule.  Regrettably, we haven't been able to bring in "the big catch," but we've sure enjoyed watching the combat fishing and trying our hand at it.

After sliding in the sludge

Completely Stuck!

Trooper Brent investigates these two!

We have learned that Fish Creek, sixteen miles from the home, has an enormous run of silver (coho) salmon -- so much so that fishing has increased there to 7 days/week instead of just Saturdays and Sundays.  The weekend is w-a-y crowded, so the boys and I have been getting up uber early to get there by high tide.  High tide raises the water level just shy of 30 feet, and when the water empties back into the Knik arm, it empties in less than three hours, leaving most of Fish Creek dry and sludgy.  Ethan likened it to low water level in a toilet bowl.  Gross, but fairly accurate.  We hike about 1/4 mile into the main water inlet, all adorned in hip waders.  State Trooper Brent stopped us on day 1 of fishing to check our licenses.  Actually I think he stopped us because it looked like we had dragged Ethan through the river in an attempt to bait the salmon.  He quickly moved on...we were in compliance, and we hadn't caught a single fish!

We almost lost Ethan though in the sludge, and we have heard of lone clammers getting stuck and drowning at high tide.  The silty bottom is heavier than cement, and after pulling Ethan completely out of his waders and having to go back and dig those out, we can understand how getting stuck in the muck can be very scary!  I think I could have pulled him out on my own if Michael hadn't been with us, but his waders would have been a total loss!

Making Scary Memories at Fish Creek!
August 2015
(Look at Ethan's Silt Covered Hands...that stuff was cemented on there from him trying to dig himself out!)

Alex at Fish Creek

Alex's Monster Salmon

Alex was quick to learn from our stories after his first visit to Fish Creek and immediately found a pair of hip waders that did the trick for him.  We have stayed completely away from where Ethan got stuck, opting instead to fish on the opposite bank.  That's where Alex landed his salmon!  He actually caught three, but the first two got away.  I know, I know...sounds like the "typical" fish tale, but it's true!  The first fish jumped so hard it snapped his line; the second fish was hooked in the tail, and therefore, illegal; so we put him back.  The third time was the charm!  And yours truly even cleaned the fish -- there is a first time for everything! Thanks, You Tube...couldn't have gotten through the grossness without you!  But even in the grossness, there is food on the other side, and we are so thankful for the 2-3 meals that Alex's salmon will provide!  Now if we could only fill the freezer with those, ptarmigan, and moose, we would be as ready to hibernate as the bears!

27-inch Coho Salmon
Aug 2015

Cleaning my first fish!

We lost everything in our little garden, except for the zucchini - which is really a blessing because zucchini is my favorite!  We are taking Ethan ptarmigan and grouse hunting tomorrow and Tuesday at Hatcher's Pass for the youth hunt, and when we are not there we will back at Fish Creek again -- weather permitting.  Michael, Ethan, and Tom are preparing for the upcoming hunts today by testing our new "tool" and Ethan's new shotgun.

Our new hunting "tool"

Other than that, we are gearing up for the State Fair again, excited that Ethan has three art entries this year -- 1 acrylic, 1 pencil sketch, and 1 watercolor -- and that he is entering the cookie contest.  We'll keep you posted as our adventures continue!  Much love to you all!