Goin' Dip Netting

Dip Netting. This is one of those new experiences I have to share with you. I only can only tell of the experience from a the perspective of an observer, as only legal residents are allowed the privilege of 'dip netting'. In the past, Jesse would go to the rivers and dip net using a boat. New regulations requiring an expensive motor left him with the other option of dip netting from shore. We were invited to join a small group already camping. The intention was to bring the tents and stay the night, but after a call from one of Sarah's practicing mothers, Dana, the idea was scrapped. Evidently, camping during dip netting was not something one would want to do with small children especially on the Fourth of July. The equipment needed to include chest waders (in Jesse's case hip waders would have to do) and a dip net. A A dip net had about a 48" diameter with a pole 30 foot long. With the dip net carefully secured to the top of the Expedition and the crew consisting of Sarah, Rick, the kids,and I in tow, we headed out for the Kasilof River. The drive took about an hour, and we arrived at the inlet of the ocean and river. Being that it was low tide, we were able to put our ride in 4-wheel and drive along the shore. There were times we had to wonder whether the shore would support the large vehicle and our heavy load, but we made it. We joined the campsite of Jeff, Dana, Mark, and Kathy. They had set up this well equipped site twice. Once the day before and once at 5 o'clock that morning when the encroaching tide had pushed them back. This seemed strange to me because the river was about 200 feet away and down a steep embankment. What does a tourist from Wisconsin know about tides? In no time, Jesse had on those hip waders and claimed his spot along side the countless others who had been drawn to the river in hopes that this was the day the 'silvers' would start. There they stood. Jesse in the fridgid water past his waders . . . for hours, as the tide gradually rose until water had reached only a few yards from the camp. Then as quick as that, it was time to go. The tide was risen so high, we couldn't get back the way we came. Jeff and Jesse scouted an alternate route with Jeff's jeep. We got the word and load the Expedition without any time to spare. It was an exciting ride thought a four-wheeler trail, but we made it. Only a few fish we netted. Jesse's determination was reward by being one of the few to be successful. He walked away with two salomn, numb legs, and my admiration for being one tough guy. I don't know of anyone else that could/would have stood there up to his @#& in the ice water for that length of time with such little reward. I learned a lot about him and dip-netting that day. It's all good.