An amazing phenomenon occurs for a short time each summer in the Last Frontier as thousands of Alaskan residents, both young and old from all walks of life, take a break from whatever they are busy doing at the time to storm the shores of Alaska's rivers. Other Alaskans know exactly what they're up to as soon as they lay eyes on the long-pole contraptions of every sort, shape and size with very large nets attached. Some come alone, others come with friends or their entire families, having carefully planned this annual getaway and Alaskan family fishing tradition. Arriving in cars, trucks, campers and RVs, they bring their kids, pets, coolers, tents, gear for harvesting and cleaning, food, wood for fires and anything else they feel they might need for a day, a few days or a week or two at a time for some fun-filled work and adventure. This adventure and privilege of the Last Frontier is called dip net fishery and is only open to Alaskan residents. Since Alaska is known for world class salmon fishing with a variety of species, dip netting is an unparalleled and not to be missed, opportunity for all Alaskan residents to fill their freezers with prime subsistence for the coming winter. So with a whopping 25 salmon per head of household limit and an additional 10 fish per family member in sight, they go in droves to the various Alaskan rivers around the state as each is opened up for fishing. They are well equipped and armed with fishing licenses; dip netting permits for recording, a good cap and pair of sunglasses to guard against occasional seagull deposits. How does one dip net? First you need a long pole with a handle that you are able to handle and are comfortable with, usually 10 to 15 feet, (shorter for kids) with a large net no bigger than 5 feet in diameter. You can buy one or be creative and craft your own, staying within the size limitations. Although many don't wear any particular type of clothing, most are outfitted with chest waders that are designed to keep you warm and dry; that is if you don't fall in. You wade out as far as you feel comfortable, careful not to fill up your waders with water and hold the dip net straight out in front of you into the current. Now you wait. Waiting might be the hardest part for some. Sometimes you will wait a long time and your arms and legs will probably get tired, but wait you must until you feel a tug in your net. You then give the net a quick twist to the left or right depending on the direction of the current so the salmon can't escape and then walk backwards or turn around and run quickly towards shore pulling the net behind you and empty out your fish on the shore for someone in your family or a friend to take over from there. You repeat this process over and over again until you reach your limit. Someone in the family or a friend will either bonk the fish on the head with a club or cut a gill to bleed it out or both. To keep everything legal, your catch must be recorded on your permit as well as physically marked by clipping both tips of the tail fin of each fish before packing the fish away out of sight. It's the law. A good pair of kitchen sheers should accomplish that task just fine. Now it's ready to be put on ice in a bucket or cooler in preparation for the trip home. You might reach your limit in one day or over several days or weeks. Dip netting is like the luck of the draw or "the great equalizer" as Alaskans like to say about this adventure extraordinaire. Sound incredible? It is and it's only found in Alaska. If you happen to be fortunate enough to be in Alaska during this season, don't miss the sight of these elbow-to-elbow dip netters as they get together with family and friends to have a bit of fun while dip netting for their food for the coming year. There's nothing like it. |
