Alaska Yukon River Fishwheel Catching Salmon - Stan Zuray

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Published 2007-09-10

This is a Fishwheel catching salmon during the height of a record 2005 fall chum salmon run on the Yukon River. As with many runs of fish everywhere, long periods of time (days and weeks) can pass without a single one caught. On this day that was not the case as you can see. Some historic papers going way back counted 393 Yukon River fishwheels from Canada to the river mouth (almost 1000 miles of river). Today there are a tiny tiny fraction of that amount of wheels on the Yukon (ADF&G counted 69 in 2015) and the chum runs remained healthy then and now. Estimated salmon passage past this wheel on the day of the video was 100,000 fall chum salmon. The wheel that day took about 30.
6/10/13 note: A long time ago I said I'd not be commenting anymore on the video due to negative comments but would not delete them either. Lately the video has gained quite a bit of views and with that some pretty vicious and ridiculous comments from people who get a kick out of being negative about things they have no clue about. This fishery supports native and rural fishermen living up and down the Yukon River. The fall chum salmon shown here numbered about 1 million into the river last year and is considered by the State of Alaska Department of Fish and Game to be underutilized on many years and in particular this year 2005 in the video. Nobody is killing any run off here with this traditional fishing. I will be deleting all negative comments I feel are not sincere at my leisure and discretion from now on. The Management

Also "Carry On: Stan Zuray's Journey from Boston Greaser to Alaskan Homesteader" is now available on Amazon in paperback, eBook, and audiobook. Amazon reviews always appreciated. www.amazon.com/dp/1521098891

Anyone interested in a signed copy has two options:
- Go to: www.thestanproject.com/merchandise and buy a pre signed book (the simplest)
- Buy a book on Amazon and follow these instructions. (Many have done this and it has worked well. Done hundreds and no mail failures yet).
1. Get two 12.5 x 9.5" priority mail flat rate envelopes at post office.
2. Self-address and put postage on one envelope.
3. Address other one to: Stan Zuray, Box 77172, Tanana, Alaska, 99777 and put book and other envelope in it (folded) and signing instructions if any and I'll sign and return.
Please send no money - my privilege to sign but an Amazon review would be appreciated. Flat rate both ways will cost you under $15.

All Comments (21)

@iain1969 3 years ago

I only just discovered this. As a hook and line fisho I find this machine absolutely remarkable. I could watch it all day. Thank you for sharing it with us.
@YourDailyVideoNews 4 years ago

Love it - thank you, Stan, for sharing this. Your videos, dialogue and the show have taught us a lot about life in your area of the world. 👍👍👍👍👍
@FtLMale1 3 years ago

This shows what smart thinking, hard work and perseverance can achieve. Great to see that the older designs still deliver the goods. Thanks so much for sharing.
@kellyhh1371 2 years ago

I could watch this on a live stream all day long. These fishwheel videos are never long enough.
@CilginTurk_usa 6 years ago

Great video Stan! I come from a family of fishers, & am a big fanatic of fishing myself. This reminded me of why I rather live in country side where I can harvest and catch my own food. Anyways, thank you for the awesome video and stay positive :)
@Downeastwaves 6 years ago

Thanks so much. Excellent!! I'd love to see them in operation again. Saw one over near Ugashik years ago.
@stanzuray 11 years ago

Some historic papers going way back counted 150 Yukon River fishwheels from Fairbanks to the river mouth (almost 1000 miles of river). Another 150 at least would have been on the upper Yukon from Tanana to into Canada. Today there are a tiny tiny fraction of that amount of wheels on the Yukon and the chum runs remained healthy then and now. Estimated salmon passage past this wheel on the day of the video was 100,000 fall chum salmon. The wheel that day took about 30. Aggressive - yes/no.
@6240tv 2 years ago

Living In Great Lakes region nothing tastes better to me then a gift of freshly caught salmon smoked right by where caught .. no middle man processing . Best salmon I ever tasted . Family friends gifted this to my parents when I was child so delicious .
@randomfamilyman4876 5 years ago

What an amazing piece of machinery! Thank you for the in-depth and informative description
@kathrynanthony7425 1 year ago

I knew what a fish wheel was, but never really seen one (not in action for sure) Amazing, Entertaining and captivating and after seeing it, makes ya realize just how genius an idea this was and the ones who dreamt it up. Just awesome! Thanks so much for the share!
@chefgiovanni 6 years ago

Alaska the beautiful. Thanks for sharing.
@Nonifull 4 years ago

Love the basket windmill idea! Stunning craftsmanship!
@packerdoctor 11 years ago

Thank You!!!!!!! Stan you are a man amongst men. How you tolerate that son of yours is a testament to a fathers love for his child. He knows you love him, and one day it is going to hit him like a ton of bricks when it dawns on him how much. I discovered, (pun intended) you on Yukon Men. Keep up the good work.
@kennytoney1311 6 years ago

I'm absolutely green with envy of your life!! Thank you for sharing it with us.
@ricksoutdooradventures5250 7 years ago

Stan & Family....Thank You for keeping the sustenance lifestyle alive and well. Feeding friends, family and sled-dogs is no easy task. I truely appreciate the work you put into your "wheel". It reflects the respect you have for native ingenuity and designs. You are the last of a great lifestyle, in world that has lost imagination, flexibility, adventure and compassion for mother nature. Please....Ignore those who are ignorant (they are obvious) and recall only what they have done to this world. KUDDOS To YOU!!
@OneJadePrincess 7 years ago

Very clever. Thanks for sharing!
@channelpressure 11 years ago

All that's needed is context really. This right here is a modest harvest that feeds a village and still allows for the fish population to continue growing. A lot of people are used to the devastating deep water fishing which literally scrapes the oceans clean, but they haven't thought it through properly to stop and realise that this is not the same thing. Thanks for the video!
@irchrisb 11 months ago

Loved seeing these operate on the Tanana. There was a stern wheeler tour in the 70s that started on the Chena and went up the Tanana a ways. Though we lived on Badger road, this was the only time I got to see a fish wheel. It was fun to see the sled dogs standing on top of their houses barking and howling. We also got to see the dogs pulling a three-wheeler for exercise. Good memories.
@davidbialik1878 9 years ago

Thank you for posting this video. I had never heard of a fish wheel and never knew what one was until I was doing Boldt Decision research (1974 fishing rights decision). Devices like these "were licensed on many rivers in WA state as early as the 1880's - 1890's." Source, Alvin Ziontz.
@Camerasdontlie 2 years ago

Hello Stan from Dublin Ireland 🇮🇪. Great to hear from you again. I’ve had to open a new account as YouTube didn’t like some of my comments on Irish people fighting back against the British 90 years ago. But never mind I’m back bigger and better