Wildlife was abundant, but hard to spot. We enjoyed splendid isolation for the first two days, then began enduring the occasional roar of a jet-powered skiff coming up from the lodge with its pampered clients. We also saw two other rafting parties. But none of it could reduce the sense of wilderness. We wouldn't have to catch a lot of fish to make this worth the trip.
Timing is the thing Good thing.
Uncertainty is a large part of an Alaska adventure. Weather often alters plans, and even cancels them. The silver salmon run we planned the trip around never materialized. In fact, it was such a failure, the state dropped the daily limit from five to one while we were on the river. There was nothing to blame.