Dawn SE Alaska Backcountry

Fall comes early to the backcountry of SE Alaska. Sunrise warms the

saturated, muskeg swamps in the highcountry, causing fog to rise in

response to the rising temperature. It's a quiet time of year, as fall

settles in. Bears fatten on spawning salmon, and wolves call to each

other across the peaks and valleys.

Is the salmon return as bleak as reported?

I haven't heard that. I just see them spawning in the streams. Don't know how this year's returns compare to other years. I'm sure that will be reported at the end of the runs. You'll probably hear as soon as I do. I know there was grave concern due to the heat and shortage of water in the streams. I believe that was an expression of fear rather than an actual result. We're getting plenty of water now.