Day three came up quickly and ended slowly.  Waking early again we set out north to the Kasilof River to meet our guide for the drift boat salmon fishing.  Seems the silver salmon run later in the summer than other species.  Our guide, John, was already there so we launched a bit early.  Eager to catch fish, he promptly showed us how to fish these unique waters.  A few different methods than either of us are used to, but mainly entails letting salmon eggs on a big hook drift in the current ahead of the boat.

The water was a beautiful jade green color from the glacial waters it originates.  I tried taking pictures, but I doubt they will ever do justice to the striking color.  After about an hour of fishing Dad caught a silver!  It thrashed and broke the surface several times before it was netted by our guide.  Proud and excited at Dad’s 10lb salmon, we spent the rest of the trip in futile attempts at more.  It ended up being the only one we caught.  Some consolation came at the fact that none of the other boats were catching either.  So we weren’t upset, but we couldn’t help feeling a little disappointed.

One highlight came about halfway through the trip.  We saw a cow moose and her two calves swimming across the river near us.  The guide moved the boat in and I got some great pictures of them swimming and climbing on land!  It was a brilliant moment to witness because the sun came out at just the right time to light up the scene.

For supper tonight I fried some of yesterday’s halibut in tempura batter.  It was so delicious!  A fluffy white tender meat with a crispy yellow crust.  I wanted more but it was all we had taken from our catch yesterday that wasn’t sent for packing and freezing.  I must say halibut is truly my favorite fish because it is so mild and versatile.

I did some birding around camp this evening and managed to get two lifers.  Both birds were on my AK most wanted list.  I love Chickadees and really wanted to see a Boreal Chickadee and I saw two right here in camp!  The other was a “Sooty” Fox Sparrow with a fledging nearby.  Both species were great sightings for me on a day I didn’t bird much.

Life Birds-

Boreal Chickadee

“Sooty” Fox Sparrow