Soldotna, AK - More Dipnetting

But Kasilof is not the only place they dip net for salmon. The season starts earlier there but dip netting fever also strikes further north along the Kenai River where it is just as popular. Yesterday we saw a lone truck on the beach, saving a place and today he’s been joined by hundreds as the season opens. We got here about 9:00 and we saw more and more arrive the longer we stayed.

Here you can see both sides of the Kenai River lined with dip netters.

It’s truly a family affair and here a young man is eager to club the fish that his father caught while his younger brother and mother look on.

Here are the tools of the trade: a dip net and a club.

The more coolers you bring, the more room you have for your fish: 25 for the head of household and 10 for each family member. Only Alaskans can take part in this ritual. This guy is eating while his wife fishes. When she caught one, her smile was a mile wide and he rushed down to congratulate her. She then took the club and gingerly began to hit the salmon's head to kill it. Too soft and he finally came in and told her to club it good.

Pulling coolers with ice (and maybe some adult beverages) through the sand is not easy.

Even the fishermen want to take their picture.

These people arrived on Saturday night for the start of the season on Sunday. Many of them will be here for several days.

The views across the bay are scrumptious.

And, as always, the seagulls are awaiting a morsel.

We don’t often see these boxes in our Walmart in Des Moines. These are probably for sport fishing (when one uses a rod and reel to catch their limits). They can then pack these for transfer home. Since dip netting is only for Alaskans, they probably do not need these boxes. But, look how many there are - lots of sport fishing.