Deep Creek

8/4 – Could we have picked a worse time to come here?, NO!

The end of the sockeye salmon dip netting season, which draws thousands down here, just finished and now rod and reel fishing draws more thousands. The traffic coming from Anchorage was bumper to bumper for much of 150 miles to Kenai. Thousands of fishermen line the banks once you hit the Kenai River 50 miles back. It’s entirely bank fishing although many float the river to get to where they fish. For those without a boat, they are restricted to fish in state authorized areas only, which ends up being a line of guys elbow to elbow.

The dip netting allows each license holder to get 25 fish, and 10 more for each kid they have at home. It is for residents only and that is the annual limit.

It may sound crazy to some, but the state is trying to keep only one million of 3-5 million total for spawning. Too many spawners end up destroying nests (redds) of previous spawners.

We are now on Deep Creek south of Ninilchik and north of Homer. We were here 4 years ago and I caught a nice Silver Salmon. I will hope to repeat that tomorrow.

Our site is right on the beach and overlooks Cook Inlet. On the far side, a line of volcanoes captures the view. We are directly across from Mt Redoubt.

This is the most picturesque place on earth.

• Photo Credits. Top of the page: If you didn’t believe me about this place being the most beautiful place on earth…  This was taken from our doorway. The water is lapping just feet away. Let’s hope there are no tsunamis in our future. Photo above this text is Mt Redoubt directly across from the campground. Photos below of Deep Creek: By 10:30 tonight it will be high tide 21 feet higher. The first 2 photos are of the river, about 200 yards from the mouth. The last one is the beach and rocky area directly behind our site.