I crewed for the last two seasons up in Alaska, fishing Sockeye Salmon. The season is about two months each summer. It is in an amazing place, rich in history of hardships and success, kind of like a slow paced wild west. There are more characters than you could throw a stick at (if that's an expression) with as many egos as there are fascinating individuals. Since the canneries moved in, the fishery has always been a bit complicated, with folks from the lower 48(i.e. me) going up to fish their waters and take the money back home. Back in the day that meant large fully rigged ships sailing crew from California and Washington, up and around the Aleutian Chain. Today it is a series of planes and a two hour or so boat ride depending on what area you may be allowed to fish. It is a highly regulated fishery that seems to have a pretty good hold on their numbers lately. Scientists have basically figured out how mnuch fish to let up the river to ensure a large amount hatching and returning back the next year. However, things may be changing in the near future. Many folks, locals and otherwise, are pushing for new job opportunities that last more of the year, such as the new Pebble Mine, which could pontentially ruin the pristine watershed. Long story short, its complicated, but I'm glad I've had the opportunity to be a part of it, and hope to continue to be in the future.