Low Water and Early Salmon Runs

What an exciting summer at Bristol Bay Lodge!

The weather’s been outstanding, by Alaskan standards, with low, clear water, and early salmon runs that have lingered longer than usual. The fishing has been off the charts!

Additionally, I’ve enjoyed working with a very enthusiastic staff. It’s been a real pleasure to watch this group of young men and women meld into such a highly efficient crew; one of the best I’ve experienced in 30 years.

All of this makes for a perfect Alaskan summer, but it’s the Artist-in-Residence Programs at Bristol Bay Lodge that set this season apart from the others.

We all live with art in our lives, but few of us have ever witnessed the artistic process. For nearly a month this summer the guests at Bristol Bay Lodge have had the rare opportunity to spend time with some of the outdoor world’s brightest talents, watch them at their craft, and ask them about their work and lives.

Nashville song writer, Scott Laurent and his friends shared their talents with during the first week of programing, writing songs by day, and performing new and old work during the long languid evenings.

Painter, Paul Puckett, and Swedish photographer, Per-Anders Nilsson shared our second week, and the images they captured with both camera and brush were outstanding by all measures. Per-Anders’ photography accompanies this blog post. Be sure to watch the video that Paul Puckett created of his week at BBL.

Writer, Don Thomas, whom I’ve worked with for nearly a decade, but have never met, joined us for our last week of programming. Don did selected readings each night prior to dinner, and graciously signed and personalized copies of his book, “The Language of Wings”, which he generously gave to all in attendance.

A summer in Alaska is difficult to improve upon, but this one goes down in the books as one of the best!

BobWhite