First of all, the float plane trip out here was pretty incredible. We got so close to the mountains and had amazing scenery despite rain and snow. There were times where you couldn't see anything, but luckily our pilot has been flying Baranof Island for 30 years (and has a GPS, radar, etc).
Anyway, after landing, we got settled in the bunkhouse, which is pretty nice. The rooms are basic, but the kitchen and living room areas are nice and very spacious and we each have our own bedroom for most of the season. There are 4 seasonal staff, who live in the bunkhouse, and 6 permanent staff (4 of which are husband/wife couples) with their own living quarters. That afternoon, we got right to work, basically with training. The permanent staff "hosted" a potluck dinner so we could get to know them and enjoy some halibut and fresh-caught shrimp, along with salmon dip! Right now we are primarily ponding and rearing chum, which essentially means we have to get them from their incubators (trays in a dark room) through some PVC tubes out to a raceway (a long rectangular tank). After sitting there for 24 hours to adjust to light, we put them into net pens (giant nets floating in the ocean) where they are fed until they are the right size to be released. Most are released at 2 grams, but some are going to be kept until 4 grams and they are released in 3 different stages. While it probably sounds pretty simple, it is enough to keep us all busy for 8 hours/day.
The weather was unusually pleasant in the mid-40s and sunny for nearly 4 straight days and the area is beautiful. We attempted to find a lake with trout in it, but as we learned, "trails" here aren't what we'd normally consider a "trail" to be. Nearly an hour into our hike (which was supposed to be 10 minutes) we ended up on top of a ridge with great views! We also bought a shrimp and crab pot, but have only caught 6 shrimp so far, and way more starfish than I ever wanted to have to pull up from a couple hundred feet. It's trial and error at the beginning is what they keep telling us! Anyways, other than my groceries getting mysteriously forgotten about (no one is sure where that went wrong), things have been good. We have kept busy playing pool, fooseball, watching movies, working out, and even attempting to learn guitar. One other guy and I spent the weekend at the satellite site in the next bay south, which was cool. The work was very easy and the house is floating, but unfortunately the weather was awful, so we didn't get to enjoy too much outside, although we did give fishing our first attempt (unsuccessfully). On the way back we saw the spouts of whales, but couldn't see the actual animals, while seals, eagles, and various ducks are an everyday thing.
Otherwise, all is good here and I am really looking forward to the late spring when the fishing picks up, then hunting in the fall, and plenty more exploring! I must admit, though, that I do occasionally miss having the ability to get ridiculously delicious and even more ridiculously cheap Asian street food at times.Random info--I obviously get some internet, albeit typically awful. I get cell service if I am next to a booster, so you'll probably have to leave me a message. My days off are Thursday and Friday. My address is :
Brian Merewitz
Hidden Falls Hatchery
1308 Sawmill Creek Rd
Sitka, AK 99835
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