Fish Camp Chronicles Vol 5.

 The Fish Camp Chronicles Vol 5. (Photos by Rachel Harrison)

set net candy corn

Loaded to-the-gills with coolers of ice and important people on-board I powered up the skiff and settled into a good run down the Susitna River.  Once again we were returning to our fish camp on Ivan River for the first opener of the 2014 season.

     Along with the President of the Susitna River Coalition Mr.MikeWood and esteemed founders of Harrison and Sons fish Co. Rachel and Steve Harrison, there was also young sir Corey Harrison (crewman) and Hazelee Harrison (gill puller).  Soon we were passing the mouth of the Deshka and things were looking up.

Rockin the Su

   Water was still high.  This is a mixed blessing when you run a prop like we do on the Su.  Sure the channels are deep but where the hell are they?  Armed with a GPS and a depth finder I was groping for a clue but I’m no expert.  I’ve got a collection of mangled props hanging on my pole barn to prove it.  These soldiers of war are casualties that have served their time and have not been forgotten.  Most of them can be repaired but there are two hanging there that will never feel the silty waters again.  This is probably a happy-thought for them.  No self respecting prop should have to endure as much.  

Ol'Roy hasn't been the same
since the Indian run of 07.

    Before we turned the corner into Cook Inlet itself we always poke into Tide Creek to stage gear and gas.  As I pulled around the corner I quickly noticed that a big tree was blocking its entrance.  I gunned the motor and then at the last minute killed the engine and lifted it up as we glided over it landing us into Tide Creek proper.  As we passed over it we became victims of a seagull’s dive-bombing efforts.  There, tucked into the crook of the upturned tree’s roots were three neatly organized seagull eggs in a nest.  Aha.

      We dropped our extra gas and as we left I towed one end of the tree around the bend to we could pass more easily. From there we would exit the mouth of the Susitna River hugging the shoreline that would take us to our fish camp on Ivan River.

towing the seagull egg log.

Mike and Hazelee performing at a high level.

Bunk house among the Lupine

Newly repaired net rack

Grilling a freshie at camp

Mom found this cool sign beachcombing

The main cabin