Dipnetting - Alaska Life

I’ll admit it – I don’t know why I love dipnetting. It’s one of those activities that’s just pure, unadulterated joy, and I can’t explain it in any other way. Maybe it's the simple thrill of it all, or perhaps it’s the way the community of people gathers along the beach, all of us working together with one common goal: to catch fish.

You're missing out if you've never been to a Kenai beach on a sunny day during the dipnetting season. Picture this: the water is glistening under the sun, the air is filled with the salty scent of the ocean, and everyone around is happily hauling in fish, laughing and shouting as they pull in one after another. It’s messy, it’s loud, and it’s a whole lot of fun.

Of course, it’s not all pristine beaches and perfectly caught fish. The sand gets everywhere, no matter how careful you are, and if you’re standing in the water, fish guts tend to fly. It’s part of the process – part of the experience. Pooping seagulls are a constant, and there’s the occasional fish you didn’t quite land the way you wanted, but it’s all part of the charm. When you get a solid catch, and your net is full, there’s nothing quite like the feeling of success.

But let's be real — it's not always sunny, and dipnetting definitely has its tough days. On those freezing, overcast, rainy days, it can feel like the fun has been sucked right out of the experience. You’re cold, wet, and watching the rain beat down on the water. The fish are nowhere to be found, and you start questioning your life choices. But as soon as that sun breaks through and the fish start biting, all of that fades away. There’s a unique satisfaction in knowing that, no matter what, you’re part of something bigger. It's the heart of Alaskan living – gritty, raw, and yet, so rewarding.

For me, there’s no better way to spend a summer day than on the Kenai beach, dipnet in hand, a bright sun above, and the excitement of the catch filling the air. It’s more than just fishing. It’s about community, tradition, and the simple joy of getting out there and being part of the world around you.

As an Alaskan gal, I’ll take a sunny day on the beach with a dipnet in hand over anything else. It's not about what I catch – it’s about the experience, the people, and the moment. And on a day like that? There’s no place I’d rather be.