Early start at around 7 a.m. – we paddle down back to the confluence with the Alatna River – water is crystal clear (more thant 1,5 m deep here) but weather is changing between clouds and some sun.

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We like this camp on Malamute Fork a lot but still have some way to go.

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The next picture is actually a good example how rivers change – the small channel in the back of the picture “should” be the main channel according to the maps – but it has practically no water at all – we are not even sure if it rejoins the main channel. The actual main channel continues on the right in the picture but that might be different next year.

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Same geese as yesterday?

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Another confluence with a little creek. This one is called Rocky Bottom Creek. Of course we have to stop for fishing.

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At first we only see salmon – dead and live ones.

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But a little bit to our surprise we get some arctic graylings. We are not able see them in the water between the salmons but they are there and we get them – one per person in total in about 10 min max (afterwards we stopped, one for each of us is enough).

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Across the confluence with Helpmejackcreek we stop as we want to check out some boulders further downriver and where to pass. But as the weather does seem to get worse and the gravel bank makes for a good camp we decide to camp here.

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Not long after we finish to set up camp it starts raining quite heavily. We find refuge in our tents for about two hours.

My dad even sees a grizzly bear on the other riverside when leaving the tent in the rain – (un)fortunatley when he tells us – the bear is already gone.

Even when it stops raining in the evening, getting the fire started is not that easy – but the arctic graylings are totally worth it – best fish ever. We have couscous and parmesan with it – great combo.

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