Pulled my traps today after not getting anything for the second check in a row. The 330 was sprung and the bait gone. It was set outside of the entrance to a square bucket, and when it sprung, it caught on the bucket so didn’t finish. Another lesson learned for next year. Big winds here – over 100 mph at Eaglecrest, and 70+ mph in downtown Juneau. All great at the cabin. Lots of snow and wished I’d had skiis to get in to the cabin. Did the dishes and read old Alaska Sportsman magazines. Changed oil in the outboard when I got home, after putting chains on the truck to get the boat trailer up the driveway.

With all the rain on top of the snow, the creek behind our garage had left it’s banks and was going down our back yard, right down our front walk way and down the steps. Sump pump was going every minute. Cleared out the creek, and went to our neighbors house and cleared out their part of the creek, too, as they are down south for the winter.

Will get my marten off to auction and the mink to Moyles for tanning. I’ve ordered some info. from UAF and going to try to make my own mittens.
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Mark Stopha
Alaska Wild Salmon Company
4455 N. Douglas Hwy
Juneau, AK 99801
www.GoodSalmon.com

Nothing in the traps today. Beautiful in the woods – like Disney Land. About 18 inches of snow on the beach, and half a foot in the timber. Total silence walking. Had one 220 with a fish head as bait snapped, so put a 330 there and a new fish head. Saw one deer on…

Back out

Finally got a few marten sets out today, and tried my first otter set. Only vehicle at the boat ramp. After all the cold and wind, it warmed up and dumped 8 inches of snow. The winds laid down mid-morning, so I headed out. I spent my first 2 seasons trapping this shoreline, and knew…

Not many things nastier than mink musk glands. Seems I can’t skin one without damaging or otherwise releasing that nasty odor. Thank God our niece gave us a plug in scent thing for Christmas or Sara would evict me for good cause. I did learn how to flesh a mink tonight, after, of course, looking…