We were talking . . . we'd like to bring some sockeye home with us but the problem is that sockeye will be spawning and dying when we're there in September, at least at Naknek, so what do we do? I emailed Jim, my friend who owns Naknek River Camp on the Naknek River, where my cabin is, and he said he could call Heidi at Diamond Lodge and buy some from her. She would store it till we get there. 150 pounds would do us - 50 pounds each. So we're set.

BUT - I threw a wrench in the mix. I said we should THINK about flying over to Kodiak Island instead of to the cabin at King Salmon and fish for silvers which run in September. This would add expense to the trip but we could explore the island and camp. So Bill's researching.

Here at the Landing, we started carrying a new wader line called Hendrix. I sent my Orvis waders in for repair or replacement cause they're leaking AGAIN. I've had bad luck with the guide waders from Orvis but at least they stand behind their product. If you're floating a remote river in Alaska, you better take an extra pair of waders. I now have one.

I'm not buying a new pair of wading boots. The pair I have, Orvis, are about 4 years old and have seen alot of use. The felt soles have been glued back on a couple of times. I ripped one off the other day and glued a new one on. It's taken several sessions but I think it's on good. I'll have to test it before leaving. Boots are another item you don't want to be without in the bush.

We have a 800 pound limit on the bush plane flying from Kotzebue to the river. That's including camping and cooking gear, fishing gear, clothes and food. 400 of that will be US. We'll have to weigh everything closely, before we leave as well as after we pick up our food in Anchorage. We'll use water purifier kits and drink water from the river.

I was thinking . . . haven't asked Bill yet but I assume we're cooking using butane. September can be a rainy time in AK and there's not a whole lot of trees where we're going so depending on dry wood for a cooking fire wouldn't be wise. That adds to our weight.

Sat Phone - we're weighing that option. Found a place to rent a phone for $59 per week but I'm not sure we'll need one. A GPS - yes. If this river was alittle wilder, I would say yes to the sat phone but it's very tame. Shouldn't have any problems floating. Bears - another thing. But there's aren't as many bears as, say, where we go in southwest Alaska. So we'll decide shortly.

Bill's been trying out jackets - fleece water proof, windproof. He's ordered and received 2 so far. He likes one. He brought it over and showed me- it was nice. It's a riding jacket - motorcycle riding. Reinforced elbows and shoulders. Has a hood. It's nice, especially for the price - $89. I'm still looking. I have a nice windproof Orvis fleece - I think that will do me. It was misplaced till this week.

Cameras - I have my Optio. It's still a great camera. Waterproof. Been through a lot. I have a video mini DV that's 3 years old but I'd like to get a HD. I have some leads. I want to document this trip as best as I can.