So I promised you another mystery story form Katmai and here it is. In 1956 a fishing guide and bush pilot decided that he would transport 20 arctic char from Lake Idavain to the lake inside Kaguyak crater. Idavain lake is part of the Naknek drainage. Kaguyak crater is off the pacific coast. It is one of two volcanic craters that contain lakes in Katmai. The other one is Katmai Crater itself. Off he flew and as he passed over the crater he dropped 20 fish.
In 1963 this pilot told this story to a biologist who went out the next year to see if the arctic char survived. He did not find arctic char but he did find dolly varden a different char species. The Kaguyak crater does not have a stream or river flowing out of it and dolly varden are a river fish that like to go and visit the ocean then come back. Yet this biologist found 9 specimen. To this date no one else has ever surveyed the lake. A number of biologist have argued over whether any char species exist in the lake. The story from the pilot was quoted as a personal communication in 1969 but in 2007 biologist said this is a local myth or native lore.
Which is it? I don't know, that is why it is a mystery but I am writing a grant proposal to see if I can find out. I could have a lot of fun this summer if I get all these grants.
No comments:
Post a Comment