I’ve lived up here in the last frontier for about 12 years now, and I finally had my first dip-net adventure! I got invited out to go fish the Chitina River, a tributary off of the Copper River famous for it’s “reds”. It is not to be underestimated and it’s not for the faint of heart!
The currents are pretty crazy, it’s deep, and it’s very silty! Definitely a go big or go home moment for someone who has never held a dip-net a day in their lives! Having got there at 1:30am after working all day and about a 10 hour drive, I opted for a nap before I put my net in. Both a good and a bad call. Apparently fishing was ok while I napped, but it slowed down after that.
While I napped my buddy pulled in 6 reds! I woke up just in time too. As I was waking up stretching my legs a monster 30 pound king salmon hit his net and almost pulled him in! He was able to pull it out just enough for me to grab the hoop of the net so my buddy could right himself, and I made sure that the fish stayed in the net! We pulled her ashore and dispatched her and got her back in the water on a lead.
I finally put my net in the water while my buddy napped after his near swim. I had it out there for quite a while before I got my first and ONLY red of the day. Some would be sad or upset, but honestly I’m happy with my one little red! It was a great experience and I’m glad that I did it.
blacksprucesurvival.com 