Dip Netting 2021

 Here it is August 2nd - and I am reflecting on this year's dipnetting...Fish Camp 2021. My heart is full. We weren't sure I'd be able to go with the family this year. Dad needs more care, care that is impossible in the RV, and he really didn't want to go. Will flying up was an answer to prayer. Dad had a great time with Will. I had a great time with family. It looks like we will be taking this one trip a year for a few years - and it is so refreshing to be together - in the RV - exploring Alaska.  I'm thankful I didn't have to miss it. 

The first year we joined another group for a 3 day trip. It was great fun. That year it was us and Cory and Arielle. The next year more family joined, we were moved to a new campground, Dad was with us, and the dynamic changed. We miss the fun of being with friends but SURPRISE - Fish Camp has become as much about family getting away together to connect as it is about fishing. A 5 day stay allows us to take a more leisurely pace. Michael's health really pays when he fishes 2 tides in one day. Five days also allows our working family more opportunities to join us.  And so...we met again this year...in the five day span members of all the out of home Gherkins families (with the exception of JaRissa in Juneau) made it down.  We had never come down on a Friday before...but it turned out well for us. But I'm getting ahead of myself....

Michael and I slept in the RV Thursday night. Everything was packed. Will was prepped. CoRielle showed up at our house at 0830. They drove Michael's truck down for us. We need a truck to haul big nets to the beach and back.  We met Izaak at the local gas station and headed OUT OF TOWN. Oh how we've MISSED camping/traveling/exploring. 

On the road again...he WAS happy

It was odd to have just four in the RV...Alex and Nolan stayed home to work. Nolan also house sat for CoRielle and watched Kimber. Stacia would have been lonely if Allie wasn't along. There was a fair bit of cutting up along the way....Note the RV is stopped during this staged shot.    

It's a four hour drive to Kenai....how many men DOES it take to level an RV. Does something seem "off" with the plan they've come up with? 

Izaak, Cory and Michael plan to level the RV 

Benny showed off his strength by hauling the tent over to the perfect (albeit rocky) spot for set up. 

                                         

Allie and Arielle got busy setting up the tent. 

Danny provided happy smiles and encouragement to all. 

8 months - first dip netting trip

In no time at all, CyRi arrived and we were all at our happy place...down on the beach. Benny and Livie thought they'd bury fish until both Mom's told them not to touch the dead fish. Ugh. 

This is Danny's first dip netting trip - and his very first tide! He was a trooper! The beach is his happy place too! 

Benny is on seagull patrol. His mission - to keep the seagulls away from our fish. He and Livie are great bonkers/konkers....you know they help hit the fish on the head. 

My Beach Buddy for the 3rd year...
📷by Arielle

Here's the crew out on our first tide....

2nd from left...Carrie, Izaak, Allie, Cy, Livie, Cory, stranger, Stacia

Allie hadn't dip netted - manned a dip net - before. Josiah is our fishing instructor. He took her out before we even had all the nets assembled. I was proud of Allie. It's a bit intimidating to stand out there with a huge net and fight the current. She jumped right in. 

And BAM! Allie caught the first salmon on the first tide of Fish Camp 2021. It was perfect!!! There was a bit of a discussion about whether the first fish was hers or Cy's but everyone insists it was hers. LOL Livie and Benny were on hand with their konkers. I untangled it while they celebrated. 

📷by Arielle

Woot! First fish goes to Allie. Let the season begin!

📷by Arielle

Soon after this things got to busy for photos! I've never seen the fish pop like this. We had several tell us this was either the best tide they'd "ever seen in 50 years," or this is the "2nd best I've seen."  How good was it? 

In less than 2 hours we had 134 fish...we could have gotten all our fishing done that first tide if we'd had more coolers. We didn't think about sending one of us back for more coolers. We filled our coolers, buckets, trash bags and finally we had to stop as there simply was no other way to carry the fish off the beach.  Cory caught 28, Izaak 27, Stacia 21, Carrie 20 and I lost track of the other numbers.... Michael caught several as he was walking OUT to the current - they jumped in his net. Stacia brought in several with two fish in her net...and someone had 3. 

These 2 caught 35 fish in under 2 hours 

Allie, Stacia and Michael caught 44 fish in 1 1/2 hours

Getting off the beach is always so much harder than getting on the beach. LOL  Those coolers are HEAVY when filled with salmon. 

In under 2 hours CyRi had what they wanted. We were within 16 of what we wanted. CoRielle and Izaak were within 10.  Hmmm....and we had 4 nights left. LOL  

Reality slammed us hard when we got back to the camp and had 134 fish to clean....they decided to wait and go down in the a.m. to fillet them. We got to bed at about 2 a.m. When we got to the cleaning station on Saturday morning every station was full. We waited for a good hour to get a spot....we began to process as we waited. 

As they fillet the fish, Arielle and I pat them dry, package them in vacuum bags, and stack them in coolers to be sealed at our campsite. 

Michael did a quick quality control on the sealer and then Arielle and Danny took over. They kept sealing while the rest of us headed out for our second tide.  

My memory is a bit shaky on timing but somewhere around here KrUke and kids came by the campsite. They arrived late Friday night. 

Auntie Co-co and Benny
📷by Arielle

📷by Krista

Krista's supervisor - Chaplain Amber and her husband, Jean-Michel, joined us for this tide as well. This was their first year to be Alaska Residents and able to dip net.  It was fun to meet them and spend time having fun together. 

It was Saturday night, time to head down for our second tide. This would be KrUke and Amber/Jean-Michel's only tide.  Cy decided to head home Sunday a.m.  Carrie and Livie headed home late this evening. They didn't want any more fish, but stayed to help others get their limits. 

Allie and Stacia decided not to fish this tide. We only wanted 60 fish  and already had 44. They knew Michael could finish that up. He did. He caught 17 fish and put our household total at 61.  I was thrilled to have their help on shore duty. It was HOPPING busy Friday night. Michael caught the first fish of this tide. 

Cory volunteered to drive the truck back to the parking lot after everyone unloaded. Michael appreciated his help. He got back to the beach and found a unique way to get his waders on without getting a lot of sand in them. LOL 

He was just getting ready to go in when Michael came out with a fish. Cory doesn't know his strength - he's got a mighty strong  konking arm. 

Krista's got a fish on!

It's a good-sized one! 

Amber's first catch. 

Michael has another one....

Krista has two fish in her net at the same time! 

Carrie's fish jumped from her arms into Stacia's. 

Filling their freezer....Carrie and Livie decided to stop fishing and head home. KrUke had their limit and Luke and the kids went back to camp. 

KrUke will eat will this winter

Seagulls - a very real and present danger. 

Hilarious! 

Shore crew - I loved having them on the beach

Our group caught another 111 fish in under 2 hours. Everyone was satisfied with what they had.  Izaak cleaned his fish and also went home. Josiah stayed and helped everyone clean and process their fish.  It was another very late night. 

Something had taken a bit out of this guy and it was interesting how his body repaired. 

Jamin spent Saturday running the 22.5 mile Crow Pass race for the first time. He had planned to come down Sunday and Monday to fish. We weren't sure what he would do with so many catching their fish and leaving. Knowing Jamin our bet was he'd want to fish one tide and go home. He's about time efficiency. CoRielle and us have decided to STAY the planned 5 nights to simply RELAX.

Sunday morning I helped Krista fillet and seal her fish. Josiah got up and helped Jean-Michel and Amber fillet their fish and then he headed home. We relaxed. Jamin arrived. As suspected, he wanted to fish one tide, get his 25 and head home. Michael decided to sit this tide out. Cory watched the boys so Arielle could fish this tide. The girls went back out. We had 5 nets in. It took them about an hour and a half to get another 10+ for CoRielle and 25 for Jamin. Stacia caught the first fish on this tide. We see a trend. We're a lucky house. LOL

Michael helps Jamin get his net ready

We LOVE the beach! 

We got some great photos with Michael sitting out the tide. THIS photo comes with a funny story. I ran out to help Allie pull in her net. The hook on my waders came loose from my boot and caught in her net. I had to run, hobble, hop to keep up as she pulled the net in,  and barely kept from falling. Allie had ONE JOB - to hold the net while I untangled her fish. She dropped her net over my head. ::snort:: 

Arielle's first catch of the trip. She is happy to be out in the water. 

She caught a couple and was ready to be done. I gave her the message Cory had given me, "We want all 10 fish, even if Arielle says we don't."  ::snort:: He wanted to be sure she had a fun time fishing. 

📷 via Arielle

I went back to the nice warm truck and stayed with the boys so Cory could help get the fish and equipment off the beach.  

We all got a good laugh back at the campsite. Arielle DID have about 5 gal of water in her waders! Why? Because she is just a tad bit competitive and went out as far as Jamin to get as many fish as he did. LOL She got swamped quite a few times. LOL 

 

It was another late night as Cory and Jamin cleaned fish. Jamin left for Anchorage shortly after midnight. 

This brought the fishing part of fish camp to a close! We were amazed at how easy it was to catch our fish this year. I believe the group total was 278.  Our freezer is full for another year. All of CoRielle and our fish was safe in the freezer, resting safely in the RV. There were still two more nights before we had to leave the area. I know this much fish seems excessive to some of you....but this keeps us eating well in the winter.  We have it for dinner. We smoke it,  and jerk it for snacking. We can it and use it for lunches and chowder. We were HAPPY to have it when the supply lines were disrupted in the last year and a half. 

Dip-netting is always a blessing. This year the blessing came much quicker than we've experienced before. 

I've decided this is quite long enough. This covers Friday - Sunday.  I'll do another post of the more touristy part of fish camp. LOL 

Who IS This Family?

 WHUT??? 6:30 p.m. on the night BEFORE we are leaving for dip-netting and EVERYTHING is packed! The RV basement is FULL. The drawers, cupboards, fridge...all ready to go. Michael's truck was first cleared out - to maximize space INSIDE the truck...and the back of the truck is loaded with wagons, nets, coolers and hand trucks.....

My brother, Will, arrived at 10:35 a.m.  This gave us most of the day to show him around, show him Dad's routine, and he was even able to go to physical therapy with Dad and I.  This is nice as he will be taking Dad before we get back. 

Dad, Michael and Will 

Michael and I are sleeping in the RV tonight. ALMOST like camping. Our goal is to be pulling out tomorrow morning at 9. 

Busy on All Fronts

 We switched days with Arielle so that Michael and I could both go to an appointment with an accountant this morning. I wanted to be sure all tax ducks are in a row as I'm managing the finances of two households. 

While Arielle and the boys hung out with Grandpa - BENNY GOT THE ARIELLE'S PHONE! ::snort:: And so we have these enlightening views of Dad's respite care. LOL  

📷by Benny 

📷by Benny 

📷by Benny 

When we got home we talked a few logistics for the upcoming trip with Arielle. They will be driving our truck down...we need it to get nets and coolers to the beach....but we'll have less car space...and need to pack their stuff into the RV/truck. Michael continued to pack the RV while I headed out to shop for food for the trip.  There ARE more snacks than usual but I do try to feed fairly healthy dinners....this year it will be BBQ meatballs, Pulled Pork, Chili and corn dogs, Chicken Divan and Wings. 

I was soooo tired by the time I hit the check out line....I raced home and unloaded into the RV. 

I was standing in the kitchen admiring Alex's new driver's license, when I realized BIBLE STUDY started in 15 minutes.  I hopped back into the car and made it just in time. 

And here's a random photo of cuteness - Jojo at 8 months. 

📷by Bre

A Full Day's Work

I started the day with a 2 mile walk/jog, which in retrospect was a bad idea for my feet. LOL 

By  7:00 am I was in the kitchen processing salmon and I finished with the last jar at 1:30 am - 18 1/2 hours; the majority of time on my feet. It was a long day but all of 2020 salmon is out of the freezer and processed. My new American Canner was pressed into service and I now feel comfortable with how it works (and am remembering to apply olive oil to the metal). LOL  In comparing the American and the Presto - the Presto gets hot quicker and cools down quicker...but I have to babysit it to keep the pressure constant. The American gets up to pressure and STAYS there - for 90 minutes.  I planned on buying a second Presto but there were none to be had after March of 2020. Michael put my name on a waiting list for an American Canner and I continued to look for a Presto to buy. The American Canners reached Anchorage first. LOL I was skeptical, but now I'm sold. LOL 

2 canners and the dehydrator all full of wild salmon

I planned on saving a milk crate full "in case" we don't catch many this year...Michael has great confidence in catching plenty more next week. I've got the salmon skinning technique down to a science now. Counting the amount from yesterday, we have 15 bags of salmon jerky, 99 pints (I didn't do any 1/2 pints this year) of salmon, and 11 pints of 13 bean mix (to fill the canner - they're a bit overcooked but we'll see).  I also learned one can get blisters on their pinky....must be something in my skinning technique. LOL 

This is great! We are on our last dozen of  canned 1/2 pints. My family loves salmon chowder. It's very simple to make when I have the salmon ready to go - takes 4 jars per pot of chowder. I don't season this so I can use it in a variety of recipes....chowder, alfredo, sandwich spread, dips....Recipe? Fill to the first ring with salmon, pack tight. Add nothing. NOTHING. (The first year I added garlic, jalapeno etc - but for ease of use later I found simple is best). No oil, no salt, no spices....just wild Alaskan Salmon.  Wipe the rim, put on a lid and ring. Pressure can at 11 psi for 90 minute...plenty of oil in the jar. 

Dad had a physical therapy appointment at 3:30. We dropped him off and I took the girls to practice "turns" in the van. That was my "sitting spell" for the day. I was thrilled when Lindsey came out to sit and we got a power play date in....LOL 

Michal and I have a 9 am appointment this morning so I stayed up and did the last 32 jars. I had hoped for 5 hours of sleep when I made it to bed at 2 am. Dad was up and needing care and laundry at 5:30 am.  Arielle and the boys will be here to hang out with Grandpa so we can keep our appointment in 1 1/2 hours.  Maybe I can talk Michael into brunch after the meeting. 

Yes, everyone was busy. While I played with fish, Michael transferred food from the freezer that fits through the RV door to another. It is ready to go to camp and be filled with this year's bounty. Michael also finished packing the RV with "fishing gear" and "RV stuff."  The girls were busy with a list of chores and activities but I'm hard-pressed to remember what. Nolan is still house sitting for a friend  and Alex worked a long day. 

This day is off and racing. I've decided not to get any miles this morning. I need to baby my feet and shoulder a bit so I can start dip netting in good form. I may just sleep for a few days when we arrive at fish camp. 

All Things Salmon

We will be living, breathing, dreaming, scheming, dreaming of SALMON until the end of the month. One thing that has been hard since Dad needs much care is that we haven't gotten away to go fishing or camping or hiking....TOGETHER.  We could go separately, but we haven't.  FISH CAMP is about filling our freezer, but it's MOSTLY about getting away as a family...the older kids come - some for the whole 5 days, some for the weekend...we work together and then we relax together...and it's sweet. 

This year, I asked Will, my brother,  if we could bring him up for a week. He agreed. Dad and Will get to spend time together and I get to go to FISH CAMP 2021! Dad came the first year and seemed to enjoy himself. He came the second year and again enjoyed it. The third year he told us he didn't want to go and we made arrangements for him to stay home. We  now know those arrangements weren't the safest.  This year we knew he can't come because we haven't figured out how to get him in and out of the RV....and because we can't leave him alone at the RV all day and he won't want to be on the beach all day....Will is a God-send. 

BUT before we can go dipnetting....we have to empty the fish freezer, prepare the RV, plan and shop for meals, and get things ready for Dad and Will here in town.  I have two mornings clear...today and tomorrow. 

"Empty the fish freezer." I've learned from my Alaskan friends  one clears out last years fish before going to get this year's fish. The trick is making sure to leave enough fillets so if it's a bad year you still have enough fillets for the year. We like the canned salmon and jerky....I will save a milk crate full of fillets and jerky, smoke, and can the rest.  I think that will be enough. We lost two nets this year: Krista (who will fish for her own house) and Alex (who opted to stay home and work). LOL Maybe I should save a bit more.  

I started skinning salmon before anyone else was up .... I'm getting my own style. It ain't pretty and doesn't look like my Alaskan friends showed me...but it works...and I was nearly as quick as Michael. I started early in the a.m. and got enough ready  I could start it marinating for Salmon Jerky. The girls made the marinade while I skinned, chopped, repeated....the trick is to keep from eating it as fast as it comes off the trays. Note this marinade is not as sweet as many...but it does have a T of molasses. 

One tray down - six more to go 

Once the strips were marinating, I began cutting salmon and filling jars...my wrist and fingers hurt. Michael had mercy on me and came to my rescue.  I had to leave right as the canner began. The girls did a great job watching the process so Michael could work on the truck and RV. I got 16 pints made, and 7 more in the fridge ready for tomorrow. 

Dad had a dental appointment this afternoon. It was a long one - a crown. I had hoped to get a second load of salmon canned... when I got home I had 1 1/2 hours until Michael and I had a meeting.  I lined the girls out with tasks to help with sides...and I grilled a salmon (2 long sides). I need to do this more often. It was yummy. 

We ran to our meeting...Michael is working on a few jobs...I'm waiting for the jerky to finish. It's going to be an all thing salmon week. 

Tomorrow I will get as much salmon processed as possible before taking Dad to Physical Therapy. 

Surprise!

 Ah. 

Maria sent the girls a care package which we picked up at the mailbox today. It was a sweet surprise. She sent them some of her paintings for their room (it DOES need some decorating), some candy, and two wallets...and probably something else I'm forgetting. 

God is good to bless us with connections...which keep blessing....I do miss Maria all over again now that she was up here for a bit of time. LOL 

Prepping for Fish Camp 2021

 Shew - CyRi and Ava (a friend of Olivia) came by this afternoon. We had just begun talking when KrUke pulled up. They were returning a bed Krista had borrowed and Michael helped string up their poles for fishing. Bre called and let us know she and kids would not be by as they'd had a rough night. 

It has a decorative touch - don't you think? 

The above photo can only mean ONE thing...fish camp 2021 is fast approaching. We have MUCH to get done, and many appointments while trying to get said things done, before we leave for fish camp.  Cy purchased the last two nets (to restring ours) from Bass Pro this morning. 

The girls, Carrie, Livie and Ava and I went thrifting. Our mission was to find rain coats for Stacia, Allie and myself. This is essential gear for fishing in Alaska, one never knows when it may rain. Carrie gave Livie and Ava $5 each to spend in ALL the stores. It was fun to watch them budget and plan. We found nearly everything we needed. We still need to find those long gloves that go up to your elbows.  Freddies is all out. 

We drove in and found Josiah and Michael working on nets. Grandpa was sitting out front watching. Jamin had arrived sometime during the day. He visited as long as he could and then headed out. 

These two do not like heat! LOL  82* today - or so the car said. 

As the day's projects came to an end the conversation moved to the deck - by the grill. We grilled a couple of tenderloins and 3 burgers (for the 2 young girls), had a couple of great melons, corn on the cob and a big salad. The FLIES were horrible. I haven't a clue why but I may need to hang the bug zapper. 

Livie had been asking for us to open our coconuts since she first spotted them. Michael got down to business after we'd eaten. 

Everyone headed for bed early.  The last week was a busier pace than any of us appreciate, it was especially hard on our introverts. 

I just realized I did NOT get a t-shirt made for this year. Ugh! I meant to, July is creeping up on me.