The proposed Pebble Mine in Alaska — the one planning to use toxic removal methods, potentially poisoning one of the richest watersheds in the whole state, including Bristol Bay — is the subject of Felt Soul Media’s blog.

Felt Soul Media Header

They’re creating documentary about the mine and the opposition to it, and writing about the process on their blog. It’s a wild ride, and one of the best posts includes this passage:

Did you know that bug populations are so epic in Alaska that the severity of the insect swarm can dictate Caribou migration? At one point on the upper Nushagak river I was contemplating my own migration back to Colorado as the demonic white sock fly was crawling up my sleeves, behind my ears and under my waist line, leaving streaks and pools of my own blood behind. As you could imagine, it’s a little challenging to hold a camera still when this is happening. It’s also hard to resist the urge to flail around like a man on fire, ripping your clothes off and cursing God. When I rolled up my sleeve, my forearm looked like it had been through BB gun hell fire. Your skin crawls with the urge to itch the bites after you’ve wiped the blood away but those who know from experience tell you not to scratch unless you don’t mind permanent scars oozing puss, or a possible trip to the hospital. Not what I would describe as ideal filmmaking conditions, but fuck it, you only live once.

Sure, it’s a teensy bit Jack London, but it’s engrossing reading, and Ben Knight’s photography is great stuff. Worth a read, especially if they can help kill this awful project.

[tags]fly fishing, felt soul media, pebble mine, alaska[/tags]

Posted in Fishing Blogs.