Gone Fishin' - 26.06.2007

This is the time of year where millions of sockeye salmon swim up the rivers of Alaska from which they were born after several years of feeding in the ocean. That means it is time for me to put on my life jacket and rain gear to go commercial fishing with my family in Bristol Bay to catch the fish. We then bring the fish to the cannery (we work for Alaska General Seafoods) so the fish can be processed and sent around the world for a nutritional delicacy.
My family has fished in Bristol Bay since I was six years old, which means 24 years now, and although Naknek, Alaska is remote, only accessible by plane or by boat, and the work is hard, it is a traditional adventure which clings to the mind.
I have done a lot of training leading up to the Bay, so that I can focus my energy on picking fish out of the net without falling out of the boat. When I return home after the season (the fish only show up for less than a month) I will be a bit stronger, recovered, and in desperate need of a shower and modern conveniences. So, I am off, there is work to be done.


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