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Yukon River salmon declines: What’s under the surface
And what anglers who value the abundance of these fisheries can do to help When I moved to Fairbanks, Alaska in 2008 to study for a degree in fish biology, I was mesmerized by the salmon that ascended thousands of miles up the Yukon River and its tributaries to spawn and die, begetting the next…
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River restoration in gold country
BLM restoration projects provide important research that is transforming mining practices in interior Alaska Alaska’s Bureau of Land Management (BLM) manages 70 million acres of mountains, rivers, wetlands and tundra on public lands for multiple uses and the conservation of natural, historical and cultural resources. Alaskans and visitors use these lands and waters for recreational,…
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This Land is Your Land: Drew Petrie and the river that raised him
In August, Drew Petrie can usually be found guiding clients on the Kenai River. As the owner and operator of Lost Boys Fishing, he works tirelessly from early June to late October
Our public lands are the foundation of healthy watersheds and strong communities. From remote trout streams to working forests and rangelands, these places provide clean water, vital trout habitat and public access for all Americans. But pressures like efforts to sell off and privatize public land threaten what makes them so valuable. This blog series…
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Photo of the Week – teamwork
Sure, you can go fish by yourself and have a great time and success in landing fish. But there are certainly times when teamwork is critical to landing your dream fish. In Alaska, where everything is bigger—the trout, salmon, mountains, moose, bears etc.—that couldn’t be truer. So next time you’re planning a fishing trip, make…
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Faces of Bristol Bay series: hunt, fish, Stop Pebble
A big game hunting and fishing guide’s perspective on safeguarding Alaska’s Bristol Bay. You know the saying; “I get by with a little help from my friends”. As we cross into our second decade of advocacy for Bristol Bay, friends are more important than ever. The region is threatened by the proposed Pebble Mine; an open…
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Faces of Restoration – Copper River Watershed Project
The Copper River Watershed Project (CRWP) is a local non-profit that works to keep the 26,500 square miles of the Copper River watershed free of fish passage barriers.
If you’ve eaten in a fine dining restaurant anytime recently, chances are you’ve seen Copper River salmon on the menu. These salmon are renowned for their high fat content and are beloved by chefs and foodies around the world. Most who enjoy this prized fish have probably never heard of the quaint coastal community of…
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Faces of Restoration: Paul Light works and plays in the Chugach
On a sunny late July afternoon in 2023, I stood on the bank of Resurrection Creek and watched dozens of pink salmon rest in a pool. The mountains of Southcentral Alaska’s Chugach National Forest surrounded me. A young brown bear attempted to catch some lunch in another pool just upstream. The air was thick with…
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