Subsistence Fishing part one

Pardon my absence (if you noticed) as once again the subsistence lifestyle takes precedence over online goings-on.

This year I got exactly what I wanted, in terms of amount of salmon. Some folks prefer to take their limits and throw a bunch of perfectly good salmon away each year. Me, I like to get what I know I’m going to use. No more.

It was a beautiful year. Better fishing than the last several years. The fish looked a lot better too. It was a much needed “time off” but honestly, it is physically, way way harder work than the regular day-to-day. Even so, I remain grateful.

the net is set, waiting on the fish
the view is magnificent
commercial fishermen out in the inlet
you can see the boat there on the left
kelp left behind as the tide recedes
the hardest part of fishing the net is cleaning (picking) the seaweed out of it when we pull it in, pulling it through the surf is the worst offender
clouds drifting
the heat keeps the wind-chill at bay (and roasting food and marshmallows necessary)
what a view
not thirty minutes later, and right at 10pm
pressure-canning the salmon at home

I’ll share another post with bald eagle photos and more!


tara caribou | ©️ 2024 all photos by me

19 Comments on “Subsistence Fishing part one

    • I live in Alaska. For a few months a year, it doesn’t ever get fully dark. More like twilight for a few hours from 1am-3am. In July, the sun sets in this area around 11:30pm.

      I do subsistence fishing one week a year in July every year to get my year’s worth of salmon. It’s about two miles from my house, so it’s easily accessible and convenient for me.

      Liked by 1 person

    • Kiddo…. um.. okay… yeah, well… it was a lot of work BUT the good news is I’m done with fish for the year and next month or so it’ll be on to moose!

      Liked by 1 person

  1. I know. A couple of years on someone and a guy puts on airs. 😊

    I still need to try some moose one of these days. I can’t imagine it tastes that different from venison, but I’m probably lacking in the imagination department and need to make sure.

    One day!

    Liked by 1 person

    • Personally, I don’t really like moose, but that’s what is in this area. I love caribou and deer and elk. Too bad none of them are here! 😩 it’s the food they are eating that makes them taste good/yucky. Plus how they are killed/butchered.

      Liked by 1 person

  2. What an experience. Bet I would have an appreciation of my food if I had to work that hard for it. This is why I grow a small garden every year to remind myself of the effort it takes to produce food. Your photos are glorious.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Well it was for me, anyway. I haven’t heard how the commercial fisheries are doing yet. I was happy the fish looked healthier as well.

      Liked by 1 person

  3. Beautiful photos as always Tara but the fishing boat caught in the rays of the sun is stunning. Don’t work too hard x

    Liked by 1 person

  4. First, I apologize for not commenting sooner. I’ve meant to, but I’m in the self-involved author phase of life. I admit it.

    I love your photographs and I loved the previous posts wildflowers. I’ve been meaning to take a picture of the chicory, birdsfoot trefiol and queen anne’s lace growing along the roadside. It’s worthy of Victorian garden first thing in the morning.

    Your photographs of the subsistence fishing are fascinating, make me wish I lived there, and are going to go into my fantasy novels. The hero of my story, Toa’Éhto, comes from a land and landscape like yours—from the northern crescent as it’s called in the novel.

    Liked by 1 person

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