The Photography of Andy Sorensen

Every year in June, a King Salmon fishing derby is held in the heart of Anchorage, Alaska at Ship Creek. Some very big fish return to this stream, according to a state biologist, some as big as 70 lbs. The locals and tourists flock to the muddy banks for a chance at catching a prize winning fish. Since I personally fish this stream almost every day, I thought it would be fun to take my camera along, and post the photos for all to enjoy. This year, proceeds from the derby benefit the Downtown Soup Kitchen. There are 8 pages here that includes 116 photos that cover the time span from June 4th to June 12th, so don't miss any. Please let me know which one is your favorite, and don't be afraid to leave a comment. Enjoy!

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Andy Sorensen (ajstudio) > 2005 Ship Creek King Slam'n Salm'n Derby photo

Andy Sorensen (ajstudio) > Fishing at the cable. Between the cable and the dam, no fishing is allowed. As you can see, many push the limits and lose their terminal gear here. This birds nest of hooks, sinkers, lures and line will continue to grow until either someone uses their ingenuity to collect this small tackle store of materials, or the water drops enough that it allows for an easy collection.

Andy Sorensen (ajstudio) > This pleasant scene is not what most people think of when they speak of fishing at Ship Creek. Just below the dam, the bottom is a mix of gravel and mud. Walk downstream 100 yards and the gravel is gone, replaced with all mud. The old dam, blocks most of the tidal effects and creates a completely different character upstream. The dam also blocks the path of salmon from their upstream journey. The gates are carefully adjusted each year to ensure the proper escapement of salmon to the Elmendorf Fish Hatchery, located a mile or so upstream of the dam. The Chugach Mountains can be seen in the distance - the source of the headwaters for Ship Creek.

Andy Sorensen (ajstudio) > OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Andy Sorensen (ajstudio) > I'm not sure what this group of fishermen were thinking. But I don't doubt one of them believes a soft pillow and warm bed would be a better place to be than sitting on the muddy banks of Ship Creek.

Andy Sorensen (ajstudio) > Sometimes you just have to do what's necessary to scratch that fishing itch.

Andy Sorensen (ajstudio) > Getting a bird's eye view of the fishing action below from the footbridge over Ship Creek. The reason I took this was just before I could get the camera ready, a fellow in a Superman shirt was looking down. That would have made a nice photo.

Andy Sorensen (ajstudio) > It's not only the guys who come to play in the mud at Ship Creek. Chest waders such as these made from neoprene, are a common sight, and help to keep one reasonably clean. They also significantly expand the amount of the creek a person can fish.

Andy Sorensen (ajstudio) > One of only two Kings I saw caught this morning. There are a couple fillet tables set up for those who want to leave the mess at the stream, and not take it home with them. It's as easy as removing one side of the fish and then the other. Some folks steak their kings. To do this, I personally use an electric knife which makes it easy to cut through the backbone.

This pleasant scene is not what most people think of when they speak of fishing at Ship Creek. Just below the dam, the bottom is a mix of gravel and mud. Walk downstream 100 yards and the gravel is gone, replaced with all mud. The old dam, blocks most of the tidal effects and creates a completely different character upstream. The dam also blocks the path of salmon from their upstream journey. The gates are carefully adjusted each year to ensure the proper escapement of salmon to the Elmendorf Fish Hatchery, located a mile or so upstream of the dam. The Chugach Mountains can be seen in the distance - the source of the headwaters for Ship Creek.