Sweetheart Creek, Southeast Alaska – Image 2733

Many years ago, the State of Alaska planted sockeye salmon in Sweetheart Creek about 30 miles south of Juneau. The sockeye established a strong run, and the state allows for a personal use fishery. With a special permit, Alaskans can catch up to 20 sockeye per permit. Since sockeye do not generally bite on a lure or hook–nets are used. Here a fisherman throws out a cast net on top of a swarm of sockeye and pink salmon piled up at the bottom of a series of cascading falls. The fish runs start in late July and run through August. The image illustrates the month of August in my 2012 Juneau Alaska Calendar. Enjoy the photo and thanks for visiting. Camera body: Nikon D300, Lens: Nikkor 18-200mm F/3.5-5.6, Digital Capture, ISO 200, Polarized© Mark Kelley