Traveling Angler 2011 TA_2012 | Page 10

PHOTO ESSAY photography by jim klug In Praise of Without sockeye salmon we shudder at the thought of what Alaska would be, or should we say wouldn’t be? It’s clear that trout, brown bears and fishermen wouldn’t exist to the degree that we know today. Bristol Bay’s massive sockeye salmon runs draw both bears and rainbow trout, which in turn attract fishermen. The opportunistic rainbows feed off the salmon eggs, while the bears make quick work of the unsuspecting sock- eye. And we anglers, well, we can’t help ourselves. 8 www.travelinganglermagazine.com