Before we left Liberty Falls, we took a drive to Chitina and the Copper River, home to the famous Copper River Salmon. (Photo of Copper River and Mt. Wrangle.) Yesterday I met several ladies from the Philippines who were going dipnet fishing the day before, with no luck.

Alaska’s fishing laws depend on a variety of factors. Dipnet fishing is only allowed within a restricted zone between the Chitina bridge to 200 yards past. Indigenous fishermen can use fish wheels in the river. These ingenious contraptions have paddle wheels with scoops on the ends that catch the salmon and deposit them into underwater catch baskets. All other folks must use fishing gear.

There were few fishermen out this early morning, except for this bald eagle perched in a tree. Several have told use that the salmon are running sporadically this year rather than in their usual steady pace. 

We drove about 120 miles down to Valdez, another of our favorite places in Alaska. Valdez is a working town and home to the end of the infamous Alaska pipeline, which stops at Prince William Sound. Here are photos of Bridal Veil and Horsetail Falls on the road as you enter Valdez.

Here, too, the salmon were sporadic, except at the salmon weir run by the Valdez Fisheries (see https://www.valdezfisheries.org) and the Solomon Gulch Hatchery. The group formed around 40 years ago in an effort to save the Valdez fishing industry. As you can see, they have been very successful. Each of these salmon are vying for a chance to hurdle the weir and return to their birthing place. Those who make it are harvested by the fishery. Their egg or sperm is captured and fertilized for the next generation of fry. 

When the tide is high, the sea lions make their way into the channel in front of the hatchery’s weir, feasting on the easy prey of salmon trying desperately to return to the hatchery. The sea lions’ raucous roars and the constant squawking of seagulls make for a cacophony of sounds that are almost deafening. It is always a thrill to watch them. 

As a result of the lack of salmon, no bears were to be seen. Plus, we learned that our preferred camping area in Old Valdez was now closed to overnight stays.

Time to regroup!  We bought some halibut from the local fish market and took it to our old camp site for a picnic and reminiscing. Absolutely delicious fish and less than half the cost of halibut at home!! (Photos of our halibut filets and our lovely campsite overlooking Valdez Glacier.)

With little prospect of bear sightings, we decided to head on to Denali and see what awaits us there.