Building and Launching a Fish Wheel on Alaska's Copper River

The old fish wheel is back from the river! Just as we were ready to pickup the new one, some folks from Tok came down with a jetboat and helped us snag the old one. James and Kyle hauled it back to fish camp with Dennis, and we went from zero wheels to 2. Our first wheel may not be the biggest or fanciest, but it was a sentimental - made on a shoestring budget. We were happy to have her back.

After a hauling the new wheel down to the river, we discovered it needed some modifications to work on our frame. The old wheel came back to us just in time! Next year we will make some changes on the new one, and fish that. But the salmon are here, fish wheels all along the copper are turning, and it was time to get going to put away some meat.

We launched her in the Copper (triple tied this time) and sat back to wait. Not long and we were hearing thumps in the bucket, she was scooping fish left and right. Now its time to keep watch, keep catching, and keep processing. The next few weeks will be our window to fill the freezer and stock up for another Alaskan winter.

Sunburnt, mosquito bitten all over, and tired- but we were incredibly grateful when our heads hit the pillow that night. We couldn't have done it without the help of our fellow Alaskans, and all the folks who watch our channel. Your words of encouragement and faith in us to get it done did not go unnoticed. Our family is beyond grateful to you all.

Thank you James and Kyle, taking a jet boat on remote stretches of the Copper is no joke and you helped make it safe and successful. Thank you Sarah and Christina, two incredible Alaskan ladies, we never would have found it without you- and thank you Ryan for taking the time out of a busy schedule and lending your welding skills to make us a wheel. We can't wait to fish it next year.

Til next time, hold fast.
Dennis, Amy, & Lena