Day 65 - The North Line at Ugashik

July 8^th

            I’m changing. I can feel it. I’m finally in the flow of things, at least more than I was on this boat. I still don’t want to fish for halibut with Dave, but at least we’re being a little more honest, and civil with each other.

            Fishing on the north line in the Ugashik district here in Bristol Bay is a crazy experience, and can only be described as polite and hostile mayhem. Dozens of boats all trying to politely steal each other’s fish.

            One of my jobs as a deck hand is to pick fish out of the net as fast as I can as we reel it in. For anyone starting this for the first time, this is the most frustrating part about this job (aside from having a captain that’s a complete jerk). Some of these fish lodge themselves so thoroughly in the net the only way to describe them (thanks to my friend Tim) is by comparing them to Steve McQueen wrapped in barbwire as he’s trying to escape from the Germans in The Great Escape – “Steve McQueened.” It was the most dreaded part of my day for the first week, but I’m getting the hang of it now, after pulling a couple thousand fish out of the nets so far. My hands are very sore.

            It turns out my decision to come to Bristol Bay was incredibly fortunate – the entire salmon season in Kodiak has been cancelled due to a lack of fish. This is the first time since 1965 they have had to close the salmon season in Kodiak. If I had been a deck hand on a boat there I would not be making money, and I’d probably be on my way home now – which I’m sure my mother was hoping for.

            I miss my family and friends. I’ve been stranded on this boat in a relatively desolate part of Alaska for weeks now. It’s not like I can simply get up and walk away – take a break. We fish when there’s fish. We follow the tides, the times Alaska Fish and Game allows us to fish – we sleep when we can, and we eat as we work. In fact this is the first time I’ve had a few minutes to sit down with my computer and write – because I’m on net watch. We’re drifting along the coast with our net in the water. Everyone is asleep but me.

            This experience has been affirming. I set out to have an adventure – I think it’s safe to say I’ve accomplished that much. I’ve learned a lot of technical know how, and that I work better when I whistle or hum classical music.