Dipnetting for Reds

One of the privileges of being an Alaska resident is being able to dipnet for salmon. With the appropriate permit, dipnetters use their own home-made nets to "dip" for salmon as they swim upstream to spawn and then die. Dipnetting at the mouth of the river in which the salmon are swimming allows the dipnetter to catch salmon at their prime - before they start the decaying and mutating process that accompanies the hard slog upstream. The type of salmon we were hoping to catch were the red or sockeye variety that are known as the tastiest of all Alaskan salmon.

We joined some other Hope residents for a couple of days on the Kenai River to try our hand at this uniquely Alaskan activity. We had the mistaken impression that we would put on our chest waders (waterproof overalls), lower the giant nets in the water and we'd immediately pull in dozens of salmon. We thought we'd reach our limit (25 fish for the head of the household and 10 additional for each family member) in a day or two.

We couldn't have been farther from the truth. We spent hours in the freezing cold water watching the line of fishermen and women to our left and right. We gauged when we got back into the water after a break by watching for when others pulled fish out. We'd stand patiently and I'd try not to let the incoming tide flow over the top of my chest waders until we felt a jerk in the net. The real trick was then to flip the net over and drag it over the sand until you got to shore. Most people lost their fish by looking in the net to check out the fish while they were dragging it in to shore.

Once on shore, you had to "bonk" the fish with a small bat to kill it and then untangle it from the net. Here I am with my one and only after getting lessons from a friend on how to "bonk" it and carry it. (Note the very feminine gloves.)










Sadly, the run was no where as strong as it should have been for that time of year and Michiel and I ended up catching only 3 fish between us (2 for him - he'll be sure I added this detail).

It was just as well, really, as each fish yields 6 fillets - more than enough fish to satisfy us for the rest of our summer in Alaska - and we had a great time camping out on the beach and spending time with our neighbors and friends.

The gulls had a great time, too. When fish were being caught and filleted on the spot, the gulls had plenty of opportunity to eat the discarded heads and guts.



Fortunately, we received some lovely recipe tips from Marie-Birgitte in the comments of the post "Getting Ready for the Ice" so we will enjoy our salmon in gourmet fashion. Thanks, M-B!