Gone Fishin'

Yes, we are alive. Let's see, where did we leave off...

This summer, we made it up to the Kenai peninsula for the last of the red salmon run. Rumors had been flying that salmon were being pulled out right and left, so we high-tailed it down the highway, our hopes high!

Mitch had never been dipnetting before, so I briefed him during the 3-hour drive. ("You stand in the water, hold the net, and wait.") I felt honored to finally be able to impart some of my Alaskan wisdom.

We made it to my Aunt's home in Soldotna, and jimmy-rigged the huge nets to the top of our car with a bunch of bungee-cords. Needless to say, the 15 minute drive down the highway to the beachfront was a bit nerve-wracking, complete with arms out the window to hold those nets down!

Posing in our gear.
This was my first time having hip-waders that actually fit me.
Thank you my 12-year old boy cousin!

"I'm going to catch one THIS big!"

Rebecca joined us in our adventure.
Since we only had two nets, Rebecca and I were a fishing team: we both hung on to the net, giggled, and caused people to feel that we were interrupting the fishing peace.

This man was the main cause of our merriment. He came up with the brilliant idea to float along, further in than all the other fishermen could reach, and scoop up fish as he floated along with the current. We couldn't decide if it was funnier to watch him bobble along, or scramble to make it to shore when he caught a fish--and mess up all the other nets and scare away the fish in the process!

Heading in!

Periodically, boats would come by and cause a big wave.
I had to scramble backwards, but my tall husband didn't even have to worry about it.

Mitch ended up catching THREE red salmon! Even though I would have loved to catch one, I was especially happy that Mitch was able to since it was his very first (and most likely last) time dipnetting. And due to the fact that, I've been told, there aren't many other places than Alaska where standing with a net in the ocean is considered a normal way to catch fish.

And, to make things even better, I gutted one of the salmon all by myself for the very first time! (Don't worry--this is just the "bonking-on-the-head" stage).

The day was mostly overcast, but the sun came out for a brief moment. What a beautiful view!
You can see that people are really hard-core about this. They bring out their tents, volleyball nets, and canopies. They don't mess around!

Recently, we were able to get some more use out of our fishing licenses by going ice fishing! The city put on an event, so we were able to use the gear that they had set out, as well as their pre-drilled holes.

It was such a fun family activity. The little kids were so excited when a fish was pulled in.

I was surprised at how thick the ice was.

"Did he eat my bait off the hook again?"

"Brrrr...."

Oh wait guys, I think he's got something. It looks like a big one.......

Holy Cow! It's a monster!

Once again, Mitch's hunter-gatherer instincts went into high gear. At least someone in this family is able to lure those little fishies in. Way to keep us high on the food chain, honey!