Now that we finally have Internet again I guess I should let everybody in our latest adventures. On Thursday, after about 20 combined hours of fishing, I finally hooked into an Alaskan King Salmon. I fought the fish for about 10 minutes, then handed the rod to Jackson since it was clear whoever had the rod was going to have to get wet and he was wearing more appropriate clothing. Jackson fought the fish for the next 50 minutes or so, and in that 50 minutes both of us were forced to cross the river, on foot, and Jackson was basically swimming and reeling simultaneously. Jackson finally landed the fish about a half-mile down the river from where I hooked it, and on the opposite side. We were unable to keep the fish not only because we were not licensed to keep King Salmon, but also because the fish was wild as opposed to hatched in a hatchery and because I snagged the fish on the back instead of hooking it in the mouth. Regardless, it was a pretty incredible experience.

 So that's the fish. We only got one picture because it's not legal to take the fish out of the water. That was the only really exciting thing that happened on our three day camping trip, and work started officially on Friday. We filled 120 sand bags on Friday, and on Saturday we got on the water for the first time, dropping sand bags and setting up lines. On Saturday night dinner was not provided, so the crew set off into the woods with a pair of .22 rifles to find some dinner. I spotted a rabbit, chased it, and when it stopped about 20 feet a way I took aim and dropped it with one shot. Dinner Saturday night was delicious.

On Sunday a lot of stuff went wrong, starting with a crew member breaking his arm while lowering a boat from a trailer. The trend continued when the transmission on one of the two beach trucks failed. The surf was pretty rough today, and it effectively prevented us from completing any water work today. The crew member is back from the hospital with a cast and is pretty optimistic about his chances of staying on. We should have another update sometime soon, no promises though.

P.S.
Jackson wanted me to post a link to his photo album. So here it is.