Fishing out of Ninilchik part (2)

Fish, Seaweed, and Science – A Full Day in Ninilchik

Alex was in his element—carefully picking bits of seaweed off the fishing lines just to see what tiny creatures he could find. That boy has a built-in curiosity radar! On the ride back, Gary and the boys sat up front, taking in the view. The water was stunning, and it was fascinating to watch how strong the current became as the tide changed.

Jessica captured a sweet photo of the boys proudly showing off their fish, and we all enjoyed watching the crew break down the catch once we got back to shore. The boys got to help here and there—carrying fish over, dipping them in salt water, and tossing them into the prep bucket before heading off to the vacuum sealer and straight into the freezer.

One of the coolest parts of the whole process was when the crew showed how to remove the ear bone from each fish. They explained that if you take it home and put it under a microscope, it has rings—just like a tree—that tell you how old the fish is. They even pulled out an eyeball and showed the boys what it looks like from the fish’s point of view. Total hands-on science moment!

After all that, we grabbed some pizza to-go and made a quick stop at the grocery store for baking soda. We’d heard vinegar and baking soda help cut down the fishy smell—which was needed, especially since a couple of kids loved playing with the fish. (No kisses, but plenty of handling!)

By the end of the day, we were tired, a little smelly, and totally full—of food, fun, and new memories. It was a full day, but a good one.Read more