August 15th

Today was the first of many fishing days to come and we made sure to set the alarm. After another Huckleberry pancake and eggs breakfast, we sent off to find the perfect fishing destination. We started out passed Totem Park across form the trailer court. It wasn't long before Pa had caught a female pink salmon. These fish are simply beautiful, with their pink/green coloring and a spotted tail.


-Pa on the way to fish.


-First catch of the day.



We continued to fish moving down the shoreline trying to find the perfect location. We learned from a local that you can't fish the Pinks once they have entered the Indian River. They are protected while they are spawning to ensure their population for the future. It wasn't long before Dad had diapered behind the a rocky ledge that concealed the rivers mouth. Here is where the thousands of Pinks were congregating in the ocean, lining up to make their way into the rivers mouth. Here every cast was successful. Dad was in utter bliss has he reeled in fish after fish after fish. It was if he was in his youth again enjoying the simple pleasures of life without the burden of reality. I equally enjoyed capturing these moments through the eyes of my camera, though no picture could capture the phenomenon of salmon run. Unless you have experienced this event you can't even begin to imaging the sights we encountered that day. Fins were breaking the waters surface everywhere you looked with multiple fish jumping into the air endlessly, creating large slapping noses when they hit the surface. It was something to see when a gull flew close to the water creating a stamped of fish that lasted at times for 20 seconds or so.


-Dad by the rock wall.


-Salmon jump.


-Landing a humpie.




-Dad's first attempt using my camera. This blurr series is my favorite of the fishing photos!




-Look at that mouth.


-Gulls taking flight.






-Stampede in the water. Look at all those fins.






-Overjoyed.

Before dark after a long day of fishing we stopped at the Raptor Center to try to spot a bear. We were in luck as the young male was catching his fill in the river rapids. I was excited to show Dad his very first Brown Bear as I could tell he was super eager to see one. We watched until the bear disappeared into the forest.


-Da bear eating salmon.

After a quick bike ride to the grocery store we grilled our catch of the day. What a treat! The salmon tasted absolutely wonderful and there was defiantly more were that came from. We turned in for the night tired and full but ready for the next day of adventure.


-Grilling out.


-Dinner is served!