Alaska Part 4: Cooper Landing

I can't speak for the other hikers, but I woke up extremely sore the morning after the Harding Ice Field hike. We decided to do a flat pseudo-hike to Coopers Landing, a place where Anglers from across the state (including, theoretically, brown bears) come to catch the salmon swimming up the river to spawn.

Yes, that is a hook in the fish.  Most of the fist jumping upriver had hooks in them.  We found out why when we walked further downstream.

Notice that last picture?  Yep, kid in pack, fishing away.  Fly fishing.  Dozens of (big) hooks flying through the air in near proximity to your head.  I'm all about appropriate risks, but I think I'd draw the line before this.

The fish are gutted right there and the carcasses float down the river where they are picked up and plucked at by gulls. Yum. 

Fun was had by all.  The mosquitoes were out in force, which explains Nory's crazy sock ensemble.  Here is Dan L, Dan, and I each holding our babies (Omar, Camera, and Nory).