Steve Kurian fell for Bristol Bay and its incredible runs of salmon when he first signed on to work a set-net operation in the early 2000s. That season he and his wife to be, Jenn, lived in a shack on a bluff near Naknek and learned to live by the tides and the pulses of salmon runs. Since then, he and Jenn have made a life of fishing Bristol Bay. The two, sweethearts since they were 15, are fishing partners who own fishermen direct marketer companies Wild for Salmon and Pride of Bristol Bay. Both companies specialize in delivering high quality and sustainably caught Alaskan seafood to customers’ doorsteps across the country. Steve and Jenn’s love of wild salmon has only increased with time. The two are invested in keeping Bristol Bay rich and intact for future generations.
Product Descriptions by Steve Kurian
Smith Guide's Choice Sunglasses
Seeing fish jumping, finning, or swimming by the boat can be just the hint you need to set your net on a huge school of sockeye salmon. My Smiths protect my vision from the UV rays while I spend long hours staring at the sea. At the end of the day, how tired your eyes are is an indicator of the quality of the glass you are looking through all day.
Woolpower’s wool long johns are the best when spending days on end in the same clothing going from wet to dry, hot to cold on the flying bridge of the F/V Ava Jane. They’re also great for tracking wildlife during the winter. The wool breathes well and is comfortable against the skin.
$105-$150
On the boat, you can always find a Lodge cast iron skillet on the day-stove. Nothing beats well-seasoned cast iron for cooking wild salmon. The heavy pan distributes the heat evenly, and you never have to worry about the chemicals that were used to make the non-stick coating that is on other pans.
Leupold BX-3 Mojave 10×42 Binoculars
I am on my second pair; boat life is hard on binoculars. There are certainly fancier binoculars on the market, but these work great in low light for spotting fish and identifying neighbor boats. When one of my eyepieces got damaged, I sent them in for repair. Shortly after, a new replacement pair showed up in the mail. Great warranty, great quality!
These pants keep me warm and dry while living on the deck of a 32-foot gillnetter in Bristol Bay’s wet and wild weather. They’re built tough! My first pair lasted 10 seasons.
$160
Alaska Magazine
September 11, 2021
By Bjorn Dilhle
Tags: About POBB About Pride of Bristol Bay Articles
