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Article: Main Bay steals thunder from run on Copper River; a handful of boats reap the unexpected bounty of sockeye and haul in hefty paychecks. (North Pacific).(Brief Article)
- Article from:
- National Fisherman
- Article date:
- August 1, 2002
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2002 Diversified Publications. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Alaska's Copper River salmon fishery opened with the usual fanfare May 16, but the real buzz was at Main Bay, 100 miles west across Prince William Sound.
A handful of boats gorged on a surprise feast of sockeye returning to the Main Bay hatchery, earning extraordinary sums.
"We wrote a check to one fisherman for $100,000," acknowledges Al Shelly of Great Pacific Seafoods Inc.
"It was the right combination of lots of fish, not very many fishermen and a high price," says Cordova gillnetter Rick Bray. "It was pretty much beyond my wildest dream."
Only about 10 boats were in Main Bay at the start of the 72-hour season opener, with perhaps ...