Salvage Run

Long time readers know that when the dock goes in, a river float is not far behind. This past week, I found the perfect combination of weather and free time to do it. Getting on the river for the first time of the year is always good for my soul and it's also tremendous exercise. Not only did I row for five hours, my iPhone step calculator said I walked 4.65 miles. That's a decent distance, considering I was dragging a cataraft and wearing chest waders while doing it.

The river is always changing and I never know from year to year what I'll see or find. That's part of the intrigue of it all and why I keep doing it. I suppose you wonder what this photo is about. A river within a river? A game trail from a beaver or otter? Nope. This remnant is what's left behind when a tree has been dragged down the river as the ice breaks up. In a couple of weeks, the river will rise high enough to cover it, and I'll be the only one who knew it was there.

Since Earth Day occurred this week, my river float was not just about me and what lost items I could find, I also picked up trash. However, I did find a few treasures. Well, at least to me they were. A cane, a hat, a watch....hmmm, I hope those aren't clues to a bigger, more tragic story. I also found 20-30 fishing lures, a license plate, a CutCo fillet knife, an anchor (the Holy Grail of river salvaging), and a femur from a bear. The reason I kept the bear femur is it has a nice, heavy feel to it and should make an interesting fish whacker. You can never have too many fish whacker's...

As I stated earlier, a river float is good for my soul, exercise and for finding lost items. Another aspect that keeps me doing this is the wildlife viewing. Moose, caribou, seals, and plenty of birds are observed most years. With this in mind, I’m posting the last two photos for Augie, a 10 year old master phenologist from Shevlin Township. 

A pair of sandhill cranes foraging for food.

It's hard not to get philosophical when you spend the day on the river all alone. I’ll end this post with this quote.

The sun shines not on us, but in us.

The rivers flow not past, but through us...

-John Muir

See you next week.

Beaver Creek Cabins & Guide Service

When’s The Best Time To Come To Alaska?

Certainly, this is one of the questions Jane and I are asked the most. Our simple answer to the question, when is the best time to visit Alaska, is....wait for it....anytime you can get here!

However, answers to the following questions will help determine your best fit.

Is your vacation about catching fish? What kind of salmon are you after? Do you like crowds?

Is your trip about filling up a cooler with fillets to bring home? Is it about catching a trophy? Is it about an experience on the water?

Are you okay with cold temperatures? What about rain?

Do you want to sight see? Do you want to hike?

How long are you visiting? Are you traveling solo, with the guys, the girls, your parents, your wife, husband, or children?

It's a fact that there is no perfect time to visit Alaska. Any given time period will have something that is good, bad, and ugly. Knowing that in advance is key to your preparation.

Give us a call, or an email, anytime and we'd be happy to sort through options to find your best possible experience in Alaska.




Beaver Creek Cabins & Guide Service

Bald Eagles on the Kenai Peninsula

If you are a fan of bald eagles the Kenai Peninsula is the place for you. From the rivers, ocean bluffs, and lakes the chances of seeing one is 100%. This was not always the case.

In the early 20th century bald eagle populations were declining and the main cause for this was man. From habitat destruction, hunting, and the use of pesticides numbers dwindled across North America. In Alaska, it was estimated that over 100,000 bald eagles were killed from 1917-1953. The main reason was because they were seen as a threat to the salmon populations. Through time public awareness increased about the decline of our nation's symbol and finally in 1967 the bald eagle became protected and was officially listed as an endangered species. This protection has allowed the bald eagle to thrive and in 1995 the status was changed from "endangered" to "threatened" and by 2007 completely removed from the list. Today the worldwide population is estimated at 110,000-115,000 with over half living in Alaska. The comeback of the bald eagle is truly an amazing success story.

The above photos were all taken within 5 minutes of the cabins. Photo number one is at the mouth of Beaver Creek and the the Kenai River. Photo number two is an immature bald eagle at the Crossover gravel bar on the Kenai River. And, photo number three was taken at the dock at Beaver Creek Cabins. The two eagles are perched above a nest near the top of a cottonwood tree.