Fishing Frenzy

Pink salmon are spawning in Valdez, Alaska. These persistent fish come in the thousands to Solomon Gulch to spawn and die. It’s a sad life for these fish, but a very exciting time for everyone else.

Watching the scene was fascinating. We drove out on Dayville Road past a fish hatchery to where many people were gathered. Most were looking into the water along the bay. The tide was out, so many were standing in the mud flats. The water was filled with fish swimming upstream to a cove where a waterfall and a large glacial stream emptied. A bridge lined with very excited birds separated the cove from the bay area. The birds swarmed over the area, watching the fish and the humans attentively.

We walked down the mud flats to where the people were gathered. Many carried fishing poles, and others removed hooks from fish or cleaned the fish. All were working quickly and with gusto. Within seconds of throwing a line, each fisher was able to catch a salmon. Sadly, it wasn’t because the salmon were biting; instead, the salmon got hooked when simply swimming by. Most had hooks in their backs rather than in their mouths.

The water’s current was heavy, and I was impressed that so many fish made it to the end after fighting the current, the people, the fishery, and the birds. I gained a great respect for these intrepid fish.

We returned to the area at night. As we drove along the bay, we saw that many bald eagles were circling above. Others were perched on the mud flats looking over the water. They were getting into the action. We took a few pictures and headed to the gulch.

Cars were parked all along the side of the road and people were pointing at the edge of the water. I jumped out of the truck to ask what was happening. A woman told me that there were several bears. Adolfo quickly parked, and we ran to see a grizzly and her three cubs. They, too, were getting in on the fishing. Within a short time, though, the mother became overwhelmed by all the people and decided to cross back to the forest. She quickly ran across the street just to find that her cubs were not following. She stood on the side for some time waiting for her cubs. Two followed a little later, but the third was taking its time. The mother was beginning to cross back when the third cub shot out looking very proud with a big fish in its mouth.

*Photos of bald eagle and bears taken by Adolfo Isassi.