Alaska Trapping- Living

[fishermann222]

Caribou hunting is possible in the winter, or in the fall by flyout. The brown bears are up in the mountains, i have been hunting for them twice, and could have shot a few small ones, but i am waiting for a large one at least 8ft. There are moose around now, but there is still not an open season on them in the general bethel area for another two years. To hunt moose you have to go north to the yukon, and the season is open right now, but i am too busy to make it up there. Black bears are around also, but they are a ways away from Bethel also.

[leechmann]

Ok, all you guys reading this tread need to step up and ask Fish a question. I have had the opportunity to talk with Fish for about a year now and I have asked plenty of questions, both for trapping and about the Alaskan way of life. Come on everyone weigh in. Thats what makes these threads so entertaining.

[leechmann]

Fish, tell us whats up on the Lynx line. Since the HSOforum went down, we need an update.

[fishermann222]

two lynx were near my sets, but not close enough to see them, i have to make a few more sets up there tomorrow.

THis weekend we are going to mark K300 trail, we have to mark 150 miles of trail, but when we get upriver about 100 miles we are going to put some sets in if we find sign.

[lungslicer]

Fish,

I was hoping that you could tell me what the difference is between Bristol bay salmon and Copper river salmon. Can you really tell the difference?

Thanks

[fishermann222]

LOL the difference, well marketing and price Thats my own perspective. Copper river uses MAJOR marketing to promote their product, other than that? no difference. I prefer Kuskokwim salmon as i net here on the kusko for myself.

[lungslicer]

I kind of thought so. The guy that is trying to sell the salmon claims that his Copper River salmon are priced higher because they have a different type of fat that adds to the taste. Any truth in that one? Also, I was wondering if you have ever been involved in any Bering Sea crab fishing?

[fishermann222]

I have fished Bering Sea crabs but through the ice off the western tip of Nunivak Island once. But never in a boat.

[fishermann222]

My season has been a bust. From 37 below we raised quickly to 42 above. THe river is all water, no snow left. 5 buddies sank their machines in overflow yesterday, about 8 feet of water, it was ugly. I won't be able to get to my cat sets for at least a few more days. The joys of the weather.

[SnoManX]

Fish,

How do you fish for crabs thru the ice? How do you locate them?

Do you use traps and if so how big? How long do you let them sit and how do you pull them up? Do you use a chainsaw to get thru the ice?

[fishermann222]

well their are two ways to do it, one is jigging lik eyou would for fish, only you use a chunk of salmon, let it sit on the bottom and when you feel weight lift slowly and then have a net to scoop the crab before you try and take it out of the water. The other way is to use a rebar/chicken wire pot. You don't really locate them, its all luck. their are spots where they tend to congregate and the natives know those spots.

Traps are 4 feet squar usually. The time i went we set the trap when we got there and pulled it when we left that night. ice moves too much to leave it in overnight. You can use a chainsaw, but its pack ice and alot of times it is real thin in spots, so you just pick one of those spots to spud a hole.