Last year, the Radon crew packed only essentials for life on a 30ft by 10ft boat and ventured north to Alaska for our annual migration to Bristol Bay, home of the world’s largest wild sockeye salmon run.
Our journey began in Aotearoa, at the southern end of the Pacific. Over three days of flights and layovers, we gradually made our way north, finally arriving in the remote town of Dillingham. Separated from the world with miles of tundra and no road connection to the outside, it’s an unparalleled challenge, but we wouldn’t have it any other way.
And now, as another season approaches, our excitement builds for the journey ahead.
Table of contents
Arriving in the Alaska, The Last Frontier The Heart of the Matter: The Sockeye Salmon Run Weather in Bristol Bay: Expect the Unexpected Science-Driven Management: Escapement Goals Keep the Runs Strong Beyond the Fish: Wildlife, Community, and Daily Life Memories That Last a Lifetime Go Behind the Scenes at Arapawa Blue Pearls Frequently Asked Questions Related Readings
Arriving in the Alaska, The Last Frontier
We fly from Auckland to California, then Seattle, cross over Canada, and catch our final jet to Dillingham in Bristol Bay. Alaska’s vastness comes alive as we pass mountain ranges, forests, and wetlands. The endless tundra below is snow-free in their summer and our winter. Rivers like the Nushagak and Naknek snake through the land, leading deep into the state or to large lakes.
Bristol Bay in southwest Alaska, above the Aleutian chain but below the Arctic circle, is a rugged paradise fed by major rivers. It’s ideal for the Radon family, who’ve journeyed here nearly 20 years to join the world’s biggest seasonal salmon fishery. A third of the world’s wild salmon are caught here in about four weeks.
The Heart of the Matter: The Sockeye Salmon Run
Bristol Bay is famous for sockeye salmon (red salmon), with runs of 45–60 million each season. These fish spend years in the ocean before returning to spawn in their natal rivers. The commercial fishing season opens around June 20, peaking for commercial and sport fishermen by early July through the 15th.
During our trip, we dive into the exhilarating pace of the fishing season. Picture rivers brimming with gleaming sockeye—bodies initially silver, then blazing red as they mature and prepare to spawn upstream.We don’t fish the rivers but the large bay—wider than Cook Strait and about 40ft deep, with 20ft tides, big sand bars, and strong currents. Sockeye are powerful and known for leaping over nets when near the surface!On good days, we work nonstop—picking and setting nets repeatedly, targeting these 5–8-pound, omega-3-rich fish that make excellent table fare.
The run’s scale is staggering and carefully managed for sustainability, ensuring enough fish escape to spawn while supporting one of the most productive fisheries on the planet. It’s a testament to smart conservation that keeps this wild wonder thriving year after year.
Weather in Bristol Bay: Expect the Unexpected
Alaska’s summer weather kept things lively during June and July. Daytime highs stayed in the 50s–60s°F (14–17°C), with June in the high 50s and July up to 65°F. Nights dropped into the 40s–50s°F. We had everything from bright days with flowering tundra to distant showers bringing mist and dreariness.
Long daylight—nearly 18–20 hours in June—means we fish late and it never gets truly dark. Rain and wind are staples, so rain gear, layers, and waders are essential. By late July, storms arrive, but during sockeye season, rougher weather brings fish to the surface, where oxygen levels are highest.
Science-Driven Management: Escapement Goals Keep the Runs Strong
At the heart of Bristol Bay’s success is the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) escapement-based management system. “Escapement” is the number of salmon allowed past fishermen to spawn. Biologists set goals for each river, with specific ranges to maintain future returns while sustainably harvesting surplus.For example:
Kvichak River: 2–10 million sockeyeNaknek River: 800,000–2 millionNushagak River systems: adjusted optimum escapement goals (OEGs) that flex with run sizeAnd similar targets for Ugashik, Egegik, and others.
ADF&G monitors in real time—using sonar, counting towers, test fisheries, and biologists on the water. Openings and closures are adjusted daily during June–July to meet targets. In 2025, the inshore run reached 56.7 million sockeye, the commercial harvest was 41.2 million, and escapement goals were all met or surpassed, with 15.5 million moving upstream.
This data-driven management—widely considered the gold standard—has kept Bristol Bay’s wild sockeye runs at an average of 57 million since 2006. The fish here are 100% wild, no hatcheries, highly diverse, and resilient. But this system works because all environmental, commercial, and sustainability interests remain balanced. Every group values a thriving fishery for the future.
Beyond the Fish: Wildlife, Community, and Daily Life
The trip wasn’t just about salmon. We have some time to catch up with friends we only see once a year, and to take a break from work. This work is still busy and hard, but has a greater focus on what is right in front of you, with the basics of ‘eat, sleep, fish’. It provides mental reprieve by consolidating many jobs into a handful of consistent duties and responsibilities.
For the whole family, it’s a hands-on adventure mixing commercial fishing with being part of something bigger. Having done this since childhood, it feels natural each year. With Starlink and better cell service, businesses can run on a MacBook across networks. It’s a major change from when we started—fitting schoolwork around chores, fighting seasickness, or finding energy to do math homework.
Just another day in our unusual lives here.
Memories That Last a Lifetime
Our Radon trip to Alaska exceeded every expectation every year. The thrill of battling fresh sockeyes in the nets, the camaraderie of working together as a crew, and the sheer beauty of Bristol Bay created bonds and stories we’ll share forever. It’s no wonder the family returns year after year. The combination of world-class fishing, stunning wilderness, and the satisfaction of sustainable harvest makes it addictive.
So, whether you're an angler, nature lover, or simply craving an off-the-grid adventure, Bristol Bay during the sockeye run should be on your bucket list. Because it's on ours every year.
Jacob Radon
Jacob grew up on Arapaoa Island, surrounded by the lifestyle and aquaculture of his parents. From an early age, the rhythms of the island shaped the way he sees the world — the tides, the water, the quiet patience that good farming demands. He loves pāua and has a deep interest in understanding their biology, behaviour, and how best to optimise their growth. That curiosity, rooted in a childhood spent close to the ocean, is what makes Jacob such a natural and passionate part of the Arapawa Blue Pearls team.
Go Behind the Scenes at Arapawa Blue Pearls
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the best time to fish for sockeye salmon in Bristol Bay?
The prime window for sockeye (red salmon) is late June through mid-July, with the run typically peaking around June 21 to July 12. The overall Bristol Bay salmon season runs June–July for the bulk of the action, though kings start earlier (mid-June peak) and coho come later (late July–August). Long daylight hours (18–20+ in June) mean you can fish almost around the clock during peak season. Weather is generally mild but pack for rain—highs in the 50s–60s°F.
What makes Bristol Bay’s sockeye run so special?
It’s the largest wild sockeye salmon fishery in the world, with annual runs often exceeding 45–60 million fish. These are 100% wild, genetically diverse populations—no hatcheries involved. The fish are powerful fighters (5–8 lbs average), excellent table fare rich in omega-3s, and the fishery is MSC-certified sustainable.
How sustainable is the fishery, and why can we keep harvesting so many?
Bristol Bay uses science-based escapement management: ADF&G sets river-specific goals (e.g., millions of fish must reach spawning grounds) and adjusts openings daily via sonar and test fisheries. In 2025, the run hit ~56.7 million with strong escapements met across the board. Combined with habitat protection (e.g., against mining threats) and MSC certification, it’s a global model that’s thrived for 130+ years.
How does this connect to our Arapawa Blue Pearls operation?
For the Radon family, Bristol Bay reinforces our commitment to sustainable seafood and aquaculture. Just as we focus on responsible pearl farming and reseeding in New Zealand, Alaska’s model shows how commercial harvest and conservation go hand-in-hand. It’s inspiring for our blog, farm tours, and family values of kaitiakitanga (guardianship).
