The Kenai Peninsula

The Kenai Peninsula is all about King Salmon fishing, tide charts, Silver (Coho) Salmon fishing, clamming, Sockeye (Red) Salmon fishing, Halibut fishing, dip netting (residents), net setting (commercial), charter fishing trips and fish processing.  Tourism figures somewhere into the mix as well--tourists come to fish! 

The kind and thoughtful folks at Diamond M arranged a halibut charter...NIGHTINGALE GOES FISHING!

The limit is 2 DELICIOUS halibut per day!

RAZOR CLAMMING:  Nasty!  That is all anybody really needs to know about clamming.  However, a short description seems necessary... Grandpa Martin agreed to serve as our clamming guide one cold, damp morning.  BIG rubber boots are required as there is much mud involved, into which I, my 3 layers of clothes and camera unceremoniously fell and became stuck.  And that is why there are no photos!   The mud flats can be just like quicksand.  People die stuck in the mud!!  My normal cheery morning attitude quickly deteriorated.

Hundreds of people were searching for the coveted razor clams by digging in the heavy, wet mud.  Razor clams don't just surrender when they are discovered...noooooo, they disappear deeper into the mud almost before you get a split-second glance.  Should you want to actually take the clam home, you must immediately DIVE into the hole, about up to your shoulder, blindly scooping through the mud to grab the illusive shelled-prize. 

Our new friend Dan shows everybody how it's done.

The Tauses returned home, wet, cold, smelly and muddy with TWO clams in our bucket...happy to have had a delightful Alaskan adventure!! :):)

Bald Eagles clamming on the beach.