August 16th

It was poring outside this morning. I have learned from my stay in Alaska that you can never plan around the weather because your perfect day won't always come. I really wanted to show Dad the far end of the island by Starrigavan where the mother and two bear cubs are located. We set off in the rain for Starrigavan, fishing pools strapped to my bike. I have only seen it rain that hard maybe two times since I have been here in Sitka. Pa and I were soaked the time we arrived at our destination. We began to fish wet but warm at the oceans edge. Just like the day before the fishing was exceptional with every cast came a fish. We were on level ground today so it was much easier to land our fish and return it into the ocean.


-Pa gazing at the Starrigavan viewing platform.




-More fish!




-This salmon makes me look small.

As Pa continued to fish I climbed the edge of the bridge to spot any bear activity. Sure enough, in the distance one of the cubs was walking in the estuary stream. I called for Dad to come take a look but in that short time that passed the bear had vanished. This was the results of a few obnoxious people flocking to the bears location.

Before heading out we stood and watched the salmon from the fish viewing platform. No bears made anymore appearances that day. With all the rain the previously low river was rising. You could actually watch the sandbars in the middle of the river disappear completely under the water.

The ride home was a bit chilly as it was getting close to dark. We made it back with our entire body's soaked to the bone. Our boots were completely waterlogged as well, I actually pored the reaming rainwater out of them. After a good hot shower it was salmon on the grill again tonight. No complaints here!


-Returning to S.J. very wet!