Friday, July 23rd…ADF&G closes the fishing down at 9am on Friday, July 23rd and REopens it again on Monday, July 26th at 9am.  I’m not sure of the reason but they do this each year.   From a sockeye’s perspective…it might be like a national holiday…Independence Weekend.  Swim free for 3 days

Because the fishing has slowed down anyway and the fisherman need to take almost 3 days off, most fishermen call it quits at this time.   Most head into the river awaiting “Tractor Bob” and his long list of candidates to be removed from the river and sent to dry dock for the winter.  This is exactly the direction the R~J went.  The tide only permits a couple of boats to be pulled each high tide so the R~J must wait till Sunday morning.  Meanwhile the guys worked to strip the nets, cleaned the brailer bags and fish holds, and scrubed down the back deck.   Then it was time to relax!  Saturday night deck party!