In 1959 a couple of well meaning fisheries employees thought they would help the salmon make their trip upstream in the Brooks River. They decided they would build a fish ladder. There was only a few National Park people at the time and they thought that this wasn't right so they communicated with the regional office. The only form of communication from Brooks Camp to regional office was snail mail. By the time regional office got the letter and drafted their response and mailed it back, the fish ladder was built. The regional office letter said to stop the building immediately. But it was too late.
Today the fish ladder is decaying and falling apart. We are thinking about its future plans. The plans for the day are to take a representative of the Alaska Game and Fish Fisheries division out to inspect the ladder. Lucky for me, I have been put in charge of all correspondence about the fish ladder. So my boss and I are taking the visitor out to Brooks Camp to examine the ladder. It is going to be a cold boat ride out to the park on the water. Maintenance has been pulling boats and the docks out as the water edges have begun to freeze. But we are going to brave one last trip across Naknek lake.
I will have to have my waders on as the inspection will be a water tour and I heard from those that pulled the docks that water is cooooold. But all I can think about is another chance to see the bears, if there are any. Brown bears will start to den in late October and in November. I can't wait to see who is still around. What a nice way to finish the week,
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