Reel AK Jewelry
The Wild Journey of a Salmon
Dive into the
Creative Waters
of Reel AK Jewelry!
At Reel AK, every piece of jewelry is crafted with a touch of the untamed Alaskan wilderness. Join us on a fascinating journey through the life of a salmon, from the pristine waters to becoming a stunning piece of Reel AK Jewelry.
The Beginning: Eggs to Alevin
Our salmon's journey starts with the delicate process of hatching. In just about three months, tiny alevins emerge, feeding off their yolk sacs for several weeks.
Early Stages: Fry and Parr
As the alevins grow, they transition into fry, spending 1 to 10 weeks navigating their watery world. The parr stage follows, with distinctive "finger" markings visible on their dorsal side.
On the Move: Smolt Stage
After several months, the smolt stage begins, lasting 1 to 3 years. These young salmon group up and embark on a journey to the sea, shedding some of their distinct banding.
The Ocean Odyssey: Adult Salmon
Adult salmon spend 1-6, sometimes 8, years at sea. During this time, they feast and fatten up for their eventual return run to their spawning grounds.
Spawners: The Return Home
As spawners, salmon return to the rivers they left, using pheromones to navigate. Once in the river, their main purpose shifts to spawning. After completing their mission, they spawn and die, adding vital nutrients back to the watershed.
Harvesting: From The Rivers
Reel AK's journey begins as the salmon are harvested, whether through sport fishing, gill netting, or dip netting. Each method has its unique characteristics, capturing the essence of the diverse Alaskan rivers.
Fun Fact: Reel AK focuses on the Kenai River, Kasilof River, and Anchor River, employing techniques like the famous "Kenai River flip" in sport fishing.
Discover How Every piece of Reel AK Jewelry is made with love
Harvesting: A Delicate Beginning
The journey of a Reel AK creation begins with the careful harvesting of spawners. These mighty fish are sourced either from the vast ocean or the flowing rivers, selected for their unique characteristics that will soon become a part of your jewelry collection.
Processing: Sealing in Freshness
Once harvested, the spawners undergo a meticulous process. Each salmon is skillfully filleted and vacuum-sealed, locking in the freshness of the wild. This step ensures that the essence of the Alaskan waters is preserved, ready to be transformed into a piece of wearable art.
Dinner Time: A Culinary Prelude
Before becoming a charm, these salmon play a role on the dinner table. From thawing to expertly skinning the fish, each step is a dance of preparation. Whether baked with dill and lemon pepper, smoked, grilled with fresh lemon, or fried into delightful salmon nuggets, every meal is a celebration of the wild harvest.
Fish Skins: Preserving Memories
The unique journey takes an unexpected turn as the dried fish skins find an unconventional home – a college Zoology book. Nestled between the pages, these skins are carefully stored, preserving both the unique shapes and memories of the salmon in an unexpected and whimsical manner.
Crafting: Precision with Leatherworking Tools
Equipped with leatherworking tools, the transformation from fish skin to wearable charm begins. Each punch into the skin is a stroke of precision, creating shapes that will soon adorn the ears of those who appreciate the artistry of the wild.
Resin Magic: Capturing the Depths
The crafted fish skins undergo a magical transformation as two layers of resin are applied. This process creates a captivating dome effect, reminiscent of a fish gracefully swimming underwater. The resin not only protects but also enhances the natural beauty of the fish scales, capturing the essence of the untamed waters.
In each step of the jewelry process, from the harvest to the final touch, a story unfolds. Every Reel AK charm is not just an accessory; it's a testament to the wild beauty of Alaska, a journey preserved in resin and worn with pride.
Giving Back
Reel AK donates $1 per pair of earrings sold to Cook Inletkeeper, supporting the protection of Alaska's Cook Inlet watershed.
Cook Inletkeeper is a community-based nonprofit organization that combines advocacy, education and science toward its mission to protect Alaska’s Cook Inlet watershed and the life it sustains. Inletkeeper’s monitoring and science work builds credibility with scientists and resource managers, its education and advocacy efforts enhance stewardship and citizen participation, and together, these efforts translate into Inletkeeper’s ability to effectively ensure a vibrant and healthy Cook Inlet watershed.
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