04/30/2026
Salmon season is just around the corner, and one of the most important pieces of gear we use is our nets! Each net is made up of 3 main components a cork line (to float the net), web in the middle (to catch the fish), and a lead line on the bottom (the weighted rope sinks, causing the net to spread open). Each year the web takes a significant beating, since the Bristol Bay fishery lasts only a few weeks fishermen often cut the mesh to remove salmon quicker and get the net back in the water, this results in holes that are nearly impossible to repair effectively. Luckily the web is relatively inexpensive so after each season the old web is stripped off of the cork and lead lines and a new web is tied in place. We call this the process of hanging a net! We use twine and special knots to secure the web back in place. The "hanging bench" that I use has adjustable components that allow me to space the corks and web evenly!
