Fishing with Daddy

Our summer so far has been pretty lame as far as the weather goes. The magic temperature has been 52 degrees a good deal of the time, and we've had a very long stretch of gray, wet days. I can't tell you how nice it was to wake up this morning with sunshine peeking in through the slots of the blinds. In a way it's almost a tease. I get so accustomed to the dreary weather that it's hard to believe the sun and blue sky may just show themselves throughout an entire day. Good news...the weather did stay beautiful today, and it was even sweeter that Darius was off from work and wanted all of us to go fishing together.

Darius had been up hours earlier than the boys and I. He went fishing on the Eyak River and caught 4 beautiful Silvers. The time of the Coho is officially back. Darius shared much of what he caught with family and friends and then cooked up some for lunch. There's nothing like eating fresh fish caught the same day.

We waited until the boys got up from their nap, and then we headed out the road about 7 miles or so. Darius and the boys fished right from the shore, and the boys were soaked and muddy within minutes. They loved every minute!

We didn't catch a fish, but the boys did have fun as they lovingly petted a dead fish in the river. At least it wasn't rotting yet.

Ben and Zach don't quite have the patience mastered yet for serious fishing, and I know Darius can't wait for the day until they do. I did, however, get a little glimpse into the future today of 2 handsome little men and 1 handsome older man fishing side by side. It's coming up much sooner than I thought it would.

A Good Day

Yesterday we got a break from the rain and most of the clouds, and were able to enjoy a beautiful day. Darius expected to work, but got lucky and didn't have to go in...yipee! We took the boys outside to play and they enjoyed splashing in rain puddles (no fish puddles!) and eating lots of juicy ripe raspberries.

After lunch we decided to take the boys on their first boat ride/fishing trip. It ended up being more of a quick boat ride down the Eyak River and then back to the boat launch. The boys found their life jackets to be a bit restrictive! They couldn't really sit down comfortably with them on, and anytime they'd try to bend over and pick something up, they'd fall forward and face plant the bottom of the boat. Mom and Dad were nice enough to come back and pick up the boys, and watched them for us while we headed back out to fish for Silvers.

We didn't get very many bites, but enjoyed the beautiful weather and scenery along the river. I love watching the bald eagles flying overhead and listening to their high pitch cries.

Towards the end of our fishing trip I lucked up and caught my first (edible) Silver Salmon!

Time of the Coho

The Silvers are in! Silver Salmon are some of the most exciting fish to catch in Alaska, and the peak time to catch them is in August. They put up an excellent fight, jumping and twisting, and usually won't give up until landed. Their average size is 8-12 lbs and 2 1/2 - 3 ft. long. They taste pretty good too!

Darius has been out fishing for the Silvers on the Eyak River every chance he gets. Here are a few of his catches so far...