Moose, Clams and Fish....

Well..... it has been about 2 weeks since we arrived and it has been a busy 2 weeks. Being away from here for 7 years has made us anxious and excited about getting right back into it all...... but....... it has changed. Just like everything else, and everywhere else .. it is different. Don't get me wrong, there are still lots of amazing things to see and do... but the growth of the area is pretty apparent in almost everything... from traffic, to new fishing and clamming laws.. lower limits and lots of new rules. The fishing is still great... people come from all over the world to fish the famous Russian and Kenai Rivers. The motor homes and 5th wheels are pouring in. The roads are packed full of tourists and locals all fighting for that best spot on the river.. the best spot to park their rig ( which usually means parking lot style camping.. side by side.. or even in the Fred Meyer parking lot ). Not much fun there, but hey, we don't have to do that so I am good with it....let them all cram into those gravel parking lots just so they can get to the river every day. We will come back to our quiet little private driveway where its just us and the little lake... the loons and even this little bull moose who stopped by for a visit. He even posed for me.. which was very appreciated.
Another thing we find it that the cost of everything has about doubled... the Russian river ferry was only $2.00 seven years ago .. now it is $10.25.. with an extra fee of $ 10 to park.. just so one can get on the other side of the river where apparently the fish only like to hang out. ( I know.. it is much more technical than that.. but you get my drift ). Every day of fishing the Russian river costs a minimum of $20.25, even before gas and its a 75 mile round trip to get there. And it is packed everyday. Crazy. We did get 9 reds out of the 2 days Don went, and they have helped the freezer and the appetite.

 

After dealing with the Russian River, we decided to try the Kasilof river. It is only a 15 minute run from here.. and much calmer and quieter than the other. It will get busier as more reds come in, but right now I don't even mind hanging out there. The parking is only $5 and you don't have to cross the river. We had a nice day there on Sunday, picnic, some sunshine and a bit of action.

Next up...... the reds will be in the Kenai River.. that is when it will get totally crazy around here... but we hope to be in on the whole thing.. lots of fish for the freezer and lots of BBQ's.
The thing I loved the most about being here before was the razor clamming. We had so much fun digging , and spent every low tide day on the beach at Deep Creek, Ninilchik. The Beach is still great, but again .. things have changed. There used to be so many clams , that the 60 a day per person limit.. just isn't possible anymore. More people on the beach, and a whole lot less clams. They just lowered the limit to 25 a day before we got there... and even that is hard to find. We tried going to Anchor Point and that was a bust as well.  They just aren't there any more. We did dig 3 tides at Deep Creek and combined ... came home with our 150 clams, but it is a slow start to the summer.

Don has booked a charter for end of July during a very low tide, to take a trip across Cook Inlet to a beach where the limit is "no limit" ... costs a bit, but guarantees us a years worth of clams in one day. ( Dang.... that is going to be a lot of cleaning )
The best part about the beach.. is the Eagles. I love to go to Deep Creek to watch the eagles. The charter boats all clean their catch and then haul the remains down onto the beach in totes. They dump it just below high tide and the eagles feast on the bounty. And wow... lots and lots of eagles. I have more fun taking pictures of them than looking for clam holes. Of course, I still enjoy that too. Here are a few of my favorite eagle shots......

There just isn't much more amazing than the eagles.. doesn't even matter if they are full grown mature... or not... they are beautiful. I've said this before , but in case I didn't let everyone know I intend to come back as one. For sure.
Tomorrow Don and his buddy Russ are heading out of Homer to go Halibut fishing. It will be a full day in the boat... they will be wet, cold and by the end of the day, very uncomfortable... but you can bet they are both smiling and ready... Halibut.... YUMMM. Wish them luck.
It has been a good two weeks, but also a tough 2 weeks. We miss the family. .. very much . They are all so far away and there isn't a day goes by that we don't think of them, miss them and love them. But we aren't here forever... but while we are here... we intend to have fun... and do everything we wanted to do.  I will check in again in a week or two and fill you all in on what is new then. Have a great week... a great summer and stay happy and smiling. See you all soon.