It sure felt good to get out on the river.
The first trip of the year is always special. It’s because it’s a salvage run and I’m traveling by cataraft. It’s peaceful, quiet, and I have the place to myself.
Well, I didn’t exactly have it to myself this year because these guys were with me. My friends Rusty and Mack had never floated the river in catarafts and asked if they could join me. Why not? The more the merrier.
So, how did our salvaging go? Besides picking up trash, which is always a good thing, we were able to find a few “treasures”.
It’s really no surprise, but the majority of treasures found are fishing lures. Some can be used again, others not. Can you ever have too many lures?
How’s that for beginners luck? On his first float ever Mack found the holy grail of river salvaging. In his right hand is a RL anchor, currently selling for $189.99 at Trustworthy Hardware. In his left hand, a buoy that sells for $372.99 at West Marine. I’m sure whoever lost these items aren’t too happy. If you’re reading this, and you did, Mack will gladly entertain offers.
That reminds me of a story. Jeff King, who more or less pioneered Kenai River salvaging, use to say his goal was to sell an anchor to the guy who lost it. Jeff is now retired in Montana/Mexico, and found nearly 40 anchors in his lifetime. Unfortunately, he was never able to sell an anchor back to the person who lost it.
After about four hours of paddling and walking gravel bars, this is what I was able to find. A Garmin Fitbit, rod holder, minnow trap, glasses, couple of fishing rods, a landing net, fish wackers, scissors, needle nose pliers, and about two dozen lures. Some of this will end up in the landfill, or maybe in Fred G. Sanford’s front yard. I’ll keep a few of the more useful items for myself.
If time permits, I might float the river once more. A few prime picking areas were covered with ice and the mystery of what might be revealed is a strong motivator for me (and all pickers).
See you next week. If it all works out, I’ll have my first ocean fishing report.
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