Here a Fish, There a Fish, Everywhere a Fish, Fish Soldotna, AK

Soldotna, AK

You’ll never guess! First thing this morning… LJ went out to grab some more photos! I knew you’d never guess. Once he got back we got everything packed up and loaded to head to Soldotna for our bear viewing trip and then on to Seward for the first of three nights at the Sunshine House B&B.

We made a stop at the Sisters Bakery (yes, we are hitting every bakery in Homer during this trip) and then started our trip.

Today’s weather was absolutely glorious. Blue skies, sunshine and clear for miles. We stopped at the overlook so LJ could get some final shots of Homer and the Spit bathed in sunlight, then our next stop was an overlook where you could see both Mt Redoubt, which had erupted just prior to our trip in 2009 and Mt. Iliamna.

Photos secured and we were on our way to Soldotna and Talon Air. We pulled in right on the nose at 11:30 AM, which was our check-in time, grabbed our gear and headed down to the sea planes.

This one was larger than the one on Sunday, an 11 seater and we had 10 on board. We met Rusty who would be our guide, Steve, a fellow photographer from Houston, Texas and then four other passengers (a couple from Wahala, South Carolina) and two guys (origin unknown, lol) plus our pilot and the guide for the other four. They were doing the fishing excursion and we were solely bear watching. We had a quick thirty minute flight where I was even able to take a photo of a dirt track! Once we landed on the water, the three of us joined Rusty in our boat and headed to Wolverine Creek.

At the bottom of the creek is the spot where several companies take people to fish for sockeye (or red) salmon and we waited for the bears to come say hello. There were probably ten boats there, with anywhere from 3-8 passengers each, lined up in two lines from the base of the small falls and out. The fishing boats would rotate into the base, each taking about 30 minutes each at the front, which was thick with fish. The limit was three fish per person. It was amazing to watch these fish jump and thrash, going 360 degrees around the small boats with rods going over heads, and people chasing them from one end of their boats to the other. Quite entertaining!

It wasn’t long until our first bear showed up, a smaller black bear who was tentatively looking for something to eat but didn’t fish for himself. He was looking more for scaps said our guide and he kept looking up the river, like he knew something bigger was up there that he maybe wanted to avoid. It was a great start to the day though and amazing to see them in a completely different setting than we did out in the grassy plains on Sunday.

It wasn’t long until we had a brown bear come down and he went straight into the water after a salmon – strike one – no fish and they quickly scattered and he didn’t try for another one, just ended up wandering away. Soon after a momma bear showed up with her two little spring cubs. They were absolutely precious. Mom tried her luck at fishing and struck out as well, so after meandering around and the babies looking all cute, the three of them headed back upstream to see if they could locate lunch.

It was some time before we had another visitor so we enjoyed people and fish watching, as well as chatting with Rusty about fishing and photography and his life adventures. We also had some snacks and even had to remove a layer of clothing because we had gotten so warm. The sun was shining and blue skies all around. We filtered up the line a bit as well and our friends from the plane were directly in front of us. The only female of the four got the first fish in their group and quickly had her limit which was a lot of fun to see. Soon Mr. Brown Bear came back for his second try at fishing – strike two, out of luck and off he went.

Some time later, Mom and babies came back again and this time she didn’t attempt to get a fish and she headed back upstream but the babies stayed around for some photos and some scuffling over what looked to be some scraps from another fish It wasn’t too long though and they scampered back up to be close to mom. More people and fish watching, our plane partners all limited out and went off to grill their fresh catches of the day for their lunch and we went one spot closer to the front, now only second in line.

Mr. Brown Bear returns for another fish… he was ready to make his move when he smelled something – behind him coming down again was Mom and Babies… this could get interesting. He started booking it over some rocks and up a steep hill covered in trees

Rusty our guide

and brush and right behind him was mom and the babies. Rusty said this ‘statement’ would stand for weeks to come – if she ran him off then any other time he was at the river and she arrived, he would leave her and the cubs alone.
Off they all went and we could see them on the ridge line. Soon we saw the male down the bank some ways with his leg wrapped around the bottom of the tree, as if it was keeping him from sliding down the bank and he was looking up the bank thinking “cut a bear some slack woman, I learned my lesson”.

We had to wait some time but he finally came back down, one final attempt at fishing and SUCCESS! Winner, winner chicken dinner – or salmon in this case. Off he went and no more signs of mom and the babies. This was much more of an adrenaline rush when the bears arrived and very cool to see them fishing, but Sunday had its draw as well being out completely by ourselves hiking with them so close by – completely different but both completely amazing.

Rusty was kind enough to give us a quick look at a beautiful waterfall, then it was time to get back on the plane. Both our groups had a wonderful time and counted the day as a huge success. We even flew over a glacier on our way back! It was now almost six and we decided to go ahead and make our way towards Seward so we could check-into the B&B. We had a very nice drive (no moose sitings though) and just as we arrived in Seward Michael and Marsha from the Sunshine House B&B called to check in and see when we would be arriving.

They were waiting on us when we arrived and were kind enough to help us unload the ridiculous mess we had made of the car. We made plans for breakfast at 7 AM and we got settled then headed over two blocks for dinner (it is now 9:30 PM!). Michael recommended the Apollo, and we had delicious chicken parmesan, salads and bread. Food prices make me sad here though… but let’s just remember how yummy it tasted! We walked down around the boat harbor to see if we could spot any otters… none today, maybe tomorrow! Tomorrow also is the day LJ’s parents arrive so we’ll be going to Anchorage to pick them up from the airport – we can’t wait!

Tomorrow also is… my brother’s birthday! Happy Birthday Brother!

POST VACATION ADD: Here’s a fun video I made of the fishing we had so much fun watching: Fishing at Wolverine Creek – Our new SC Friends