Life

Reeling ‘Em In: How to give a 12-year-old boy a good time fishing — and get skunked, too

Our student learned fast and landed more than the “T Man” one morning.

Refuge notebook: Rethinking nonnative species in a human-driven world

Wow. In the Alaska Department of Fish and Game’s 2019-2020 hunting regulations, mule deer and white-tailed deer can now be harvested. These two nonnative species… Continue reading

Out of the office: Taking our time on Tutka Backdoor Trail

“21 miles and 6,000 feet of climb? In four days?” The scene was the lobby of the Kenai Visitor and Cultural Center in mid-April, immediately… Continue reading

Reeling ‘Em In: Finicky silvers have specific bait requirements, doncha know

It’s time to take a look at the fishing report for the week of July 30 - Aug. 5.

Refuge notebook: Rising estuary still provides great bird habitats

What happens when the largest estuary on the Kenai Peninsula suddenly drops 2.3 meters in elevation and then rises slowly over the next half century?… Continue reading

In lieu of a photo of a deformed fingernail, the author shows off some funky fingernails and daydreams of a day soon when she can get a manicure without explaining what happened to her thumbnail. (Photo by Kat Sorensen/Peninsula Clarion)

Tangled up in Blue: Thumbs up

I accidentally ripped my fingernail out just as I was about to meet a large group of people. They all extended their hands toward me,… Continue reading

In lieu of a photo of a deformed fingernail, the author shows off some funky fingernails and daydreams of a day soon when she can get a manicure without explaining what happened to her thumbnail. (Photo by Kat Sorensen/Peninsula Clarion)

Reeling ‘Em In: Try Nick’s smart tips for catching silvers at The Fishin’ Hole

The key to get into the winner’s bracket is to remember a few simple facts.

Nate Rochon cleans our fish after dip netting in the Kasilof River, on June 25, 2019, in Kasilof, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Dipping into dipnetting

The net needed to be assembled. The two pieces, one very long rod, connected to a shorter rod with a large square net, is awkward… Continue reading

Nate Rochon cleans our fish after dip netting in the Kasilof River, on June 25, 2019, in Kasilof, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Refuge notebook: The many faces of the Swan Lake Fire

The smoke hung low in the valley as we walked down a dozer line to its end where a clearing had been created. Just weeks… Continue reading

Reeling ‘Em In: Learn the difference between kings and silvers

It’s time to take a look at this Week of July 16 - July 22.

Refuge notebook: Elodea still a threat to salmon in Alaska

The commercial harvest of the five salmon species in Alaska was worth $586 million to fishermen in 2018. More than half of those gross earnings… Continue reading

Kat Sorensen runs along a crossover trail on the descent on July 4, 2019, during the 92nd Mount Marathon Race in Seward, Alaska. (Photo courtesy of Kat Sorensen)

Tangled up in Blue: A few Irish steps

In their extravagant dresses and tightly wound curls, my cousins would dance their weekends away. Irish stepdancing is marked by intricate footwork coupled with a… Continue reading

Kat Sorensen runs along a crossover trail on the descent on July 4, 2019, during the 92nd Mount Marathon Race in Seward, Alaska. (Photo courtesy of Kat Sorensen)

Reeling ‘Em In: Mud Bay offers chance at halibut fishing — without the puking

Slamming 10 to 40-pound flatfish with salmon tackle in shallow water is addicting.

The waves, or places I belong

On my days off I drive. I drive to mountains and rivers and through flats — pacing the highway with wheels looking for a groove… Continue reading

What costs wood frogs an arm and a leg?

I was surprised to learn that despite the diverse wildlife in Alaska, the state has not a single reptile. Alaska’s cold conditions make life in… Continue reading

Reeling ‘Em In: Snagamania starts at Nick Dudiak Fishing Lagoon

The tides are going to be rockin’ some righteous change-outs

The old windows in Kat Sorensen’s apartment are painted shut from the inside and the outside which can cause some issues on hot, Alaska afternoons. (Photo by Kat Sorensen/Peninsula Clarion)

Tangled up in Blue: Windows

My slanted, attic apartment downtown in Seward has a lot of charming flaws. I have to brush my teeth in my kitchen sink, for one,… Continue reading

The old windows in Kat Sorensen’s apartment are painted shut from the inside and the outside which can cause some issues on hot, Alaska afternoons. (Photo by Kat Sorensen/Peninsula Clarion)
The white “petals” of bunchberry are really modified bracts that attract pollinators. (Photo provided by Kenai National Wildlife Refuge)

Refuge notebook: A common little plant with uncommon traits

This summer, I traveled from the East Coast to the Kenai Peninsula to intern with the biology program at the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge. As… Continue reading

The white “petals” of bunchberry are really modified bracts that attract pollinators. (Photo provided by Kenai National Wildlife Refuge)

Reeling ‘Em In: Not even dinosaur-killing virus can stop Nick from his report

It’s time to take a look at fishing report for the week of June 25 - July 1

The Kenai Mountains across Kachemak Bay rise behind the Mariner Park Campground on the Homer Spit in Homer, Alaska, as seen on June 15, 2019. The city campground offers both tent and motorhome camping. Although the facilities are minimal, the beachfront view is amazing. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Out of the Office: A love for camping becomes the glue of a lifelong bond

Tents are windows to adventure

The Kenai Mountains across Kachemak Bay rise behind the Mariner Park Campground on the Homer Spit in Homer, Alaska, as seen on June 15, 2019. The city campground offers both tent and motorhome camping. Although the facilities are minimal, the beachfront view is amazing. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)