Tuesday, June 24, 2008

WE ARE HERE and WE ARE FISHING!!!



Wow! What a different life I live now. I have been so busy starting my business that just having anytime at all to post to this blog has been impossible. Between having lots of clients (which I wasn't expecting so soon but am so grateful for) and the learning curve of being a new Realtor, I have been just keeping my head above water. I am so sorry about not blogging here. It certainly isn't for lack of things to blog about in this amazing state!


So, today I am attempting to resurrect this blog about Alaska. I hope to have time to post something here at least once a week, or when there is something wonderful to blog about.


For now...it is KING SALMON season in Alaska. The run has been very small this year. The Deshka River has been closed to all salmon fishing and the weir counts have been very small even as of today. The Kenai River is similar to last year and the Russian River is already full of salmon AND BEARS! I won't be fishing there this year. For Ralph and I, the proximaty of the Eklutna Tailrace is hard to beat. We can be there in about 10 minutes, it is just off the main road with parking and a port-a-potty! So, Ralph took last week off from work because traditionally the Kings are in the tailrace around the 15th of June. Well, because the run is late and little, it hasn't been as productive as we all thought it would be BUT...on June 19th (if you go back and read my blog from the last two June 19ths you will see this is a GOOD day for Salmon for me! LOL) Ralph caught his first King Salmon! It was a good day at the tailrace with about 30 fish being caught. I was so busy working I was unable to fish that day (can you believe it???) but Ralph kept the family tradition alive by catching a King on that day. The following day I was able to get out there (after lying in bed most of the night just waiting to head out there) and was fishing by 4:30am and caught my King at 5:30am! It was pretty funny. Had my fish, was back at home, cleaned the fish, vacuum sealed it and showered and was on my way to work by 7:30! LOL It was a great day! I rode on the adrenaline all day, even through an 8 hour class I had to attend! LOL


So, here are some photos of our King Salmon so far this year. The nets for the commercial fishermen in the inlet were lifted last night so there is still hope that in the next few days another great run of Kings will come through the tailrace! If so, we may end up with another few Kings in our freezer. Let me tell you...the taste of these fish are incredible. Ralph grilled some of his King last Friday night! Melt in your mouth freshness! Come on up and visit, and enjoy some of what we get to LIVE among! What an incredible place to 'grow up'! LOL

6 comments:

Gilda said...

Dody!
This is fabulous. Those fish are huge!!! I am so glad you were able to go but also glad that business is so good for you. I look forward to reading your blog when you can blog

Melanie said...

Looks like your fish is WAY bigger than Ralphs!!! Way to go!!

Anonymous said...

WOW- those are awesome! My Dh is jealous! But he is headed to Canada in 2 weeks to fish with our boys and my Dad.

His question: what bait did you use to catch them?

He has caught Chinook and Coho salmon here in Lake Michigan-both 3pounders. So 23lbs and 24 lbs are amazing to this fisherman and his wife.

Congrats! And enjoy your good eats!

Cynthia said...

FUN to see a blog post from you again. I just checked yesterday and left you a note that I missed your AK pictures and then there were some today!

Dody Kettler said...

Yes Sarah, the fish in Alaska are huge! We caught both of our fish on Vibrex #5. Mine was silver with a purple bell and Ralph's was silver with a green bell. Some were caught on a bait set up with salmon roe and double hooks, and we did fish some with roe, but we prefer more active fishing and like to use the vibrex. I hope his fishing is successful!

Beck's Bounty said...

Those are HUGE fish !! Our boys fish for Bass and Bluegill in our lake, but they look like guppies compared to these. WOW !!

God Bless.
MomToCherubs
http://www.becksbounty.blogspot.com