June 14: We fished!

We started today early to set out one net during low water. Was it really just yesterday that we got the buoys and running line out? (I don't think I explained yesterday that we use a line on the inside site that runs from the buoy to the inside anchor - a running line. That line allows us to fish anywhere along that 700' length. When we don't have the skiffs down yet, we fish it in, closer to the beach. The fish like the gravel and we like to stay out of the mud as much as we can. But the gravel doesn't have water for long so when there are a lot of fish, we're better fishing deep so the nets are in the water for longer.)

The new crew learned how to move 200 lbs of leads through the very sticky mud and attach the net to the running line. Then we rushed into town for Trevor's interview (which he thinks went well - they just wanted to check his reference. He hasn't heard back from them yet, which might just be a function of Bristol Bay time...). I think it will be good if he gets on that boat because they fish for Leader Creek Fishery and that buyer is very particular about their fleet, meaning that this boat must be good - and they pay more for the fish.

We started putting the skiffs together. The basics of that are: a way to make the skiff go; a way to make it stop; a way to keep the water out (they all have holes so water that accumulates over the winter can drain. Those holes need to be plugged when the boat is in service); and a way to get the water out that enters as we're running.

The Bathtub needs some welding work, so we didn't want to get too carried away putting things in it yet. The Grayling is still on top of a stack of skiffs. So we concentrated on the Ambi and the New Boat. Roy already proofed the outboard on the New Boat (and repaired the steering) and I managed to get the outboard on the Ambi going. The New Boat gets a new picking light where there was not one before (Roy), and we need to be sure the power pack works and runs the power roller. The Ambi needs some electrical repair, and a replacement light and a replacement radio. Roger is tackling those jobs with Jeff. That power pack and roller also need to be installed and confirmed. Everyone seemed to figure out what they needed to do: Patrick took the lead on refreshing the paint. Evan ensured that the skiffs have the needed tie off lines, brailers, bailing buckets, and all the other paraphernalia of fishing, Jake started on the hydraulics in the New Boat, and Chris seems mainly focused on projects for the cabins (the rinse-down system and a water feed for the crew cabin)... and making sure we don't miss mug up - a high point of the day for everyone. (As our good friend Phil say, "Mmmmm, sugar and fat definitely have a place on my training table.")

Then mid day, we had more arrivals: my brother, Harry, and Daniel, his deckhand, as well as Jake and Roger from our crew!! It feels so darned good to have them all here. We are still missing David and Sarah, but they'll be here soon.

Returning to the cannery from the airport, we had to just throw everyone we could find into the truck and blast down the beach. The period ends at 9 am on Friday, on an incoming tide. We figured that tonight's tide probably wouldn't produce much so we planned to pick up the net day tide as it went out. But we were late getting back from the airport and I was worried that seagulls would ruin our fish and then we would end up picking up the net in the mud - definitely something to be avoided. Hence the dash to the beach. The first thing Jake and Roger had to do was jump into waders and get down to the net!

We arrived in time to save the fish and pick up the net with a minimum of inconvenience... and pulled out salmon for dinner, selling what we couldn't eat (our first 35 lbs of the season!)

After pulling the net, we returned to town to continue in our tasks, including filling up our 20 gas containers, which we then packed into the back of the truck, making the back of the truck not so comfortable for crew. Between the cab of the White Truck (the Red Truck is in for brake repair and the boom truck is in for propane filling) and the two four wheelers, the 8 of us got down the beach, but Harry and Daniel were coming for salmon dinner, so Patrick and Chris took the four wheelers back in to get them.

Patrick took the camera and here are a few of his photos. He was curious about the mountains that usually aren't visible, but today was such a beautiful and clear day, they were easy to see. I think he took this photo from the high spot on the tundra road, overlooking Peter Pan at Nornak. He is looking across the Naknek river here over to South Naknek.
Here is Trident on the south side of the river - they have two plants that sit almost directly across from one another.

This drift boat is motoring up the channel in the Naknek River. The tide is quite low. As a little girl, I always wondered if it would be possible to walk across the river during low tide, but I think these channels would require a bit of swimming as well. And if they're deep enough for a drift boat to motor through... I don't know - they may contain river monsters.

And finally, because I never get tired of our glorious sunsets, I have to post the last photo of the day.