Bristol Bay tops the preseason forecast, and when the Kvichak tower tallied the 2,000,000th fish today, all rivers (but the usually late Togiak) have met their escapement goals. Differing opinions on how big this run might go, and what kind of tail that large Naknek-Kvichak will get to fish. Were these lag days indicated in Port Moller, and are there more coming? Better yet, are these slower days letting the buyers get ahead of the game?
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Is this running starting to wind down, or are there still really big days ahead? It seems like the Nushagak and Egegik returns may be gradually easing towards a tail, but Ugashik has been cooking this week. The Naknek Kvichak is the wild card again in 2017; if the forecast comes in as forecast, the total run is going to break 50 million. Except for the Togiak that usually run later, all of the counted rivers have made their escapement goals, with several well over the top end. The fleet has moved around this week and seems to have invested where they intend to wrap up the season. Will processors get their legs back under them for a big tail end, if it appears? What will happen to the price with the extra volume and all those "number twos" from the big days? Make a quick pledge so we know you are out there appreciating this unique, one-of-a-kind coverage of this one-of-a-kind fishery.
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Have feedback, suggestions of something you'd like to hear? ReachAvery Lill / Nick Ciolino / Allison Mollenkamp / or Caitlin Tan (in Naknek)
