Travis Beals BBNC Fish First Award in Kaltag (Photo: Siri Raitto)

Veteran musher Travis Beals of Seward was the first musher to arrive in Kaltag.  Beals received the Bristol Bay Native Corporation Fish First Award from Carol Wren, BBNC’s Senior VP of Shareholder Development.  The award consists of 25 pounds of fresh Bristol Bay Salmon filets, $2,000 and a wood burned art piece created by artist Apay’uq Moore.  In honor of the tenth anniversary of the award, the artist included 10 fish in the artwork.

BBNC Fish First Award Given In Kaltag (Photo: Siri Raitto)

Jason Metrokin, BBNC President and CEO said, “Both dog mushing and fishing are longstanding traditions in Bristol Bay, and we’re excited to honor both with the 10th annual Fish First Award.  We wish Travis the best of luck and hope they enjoy the taste of Bristol Bay this summer.”

Travis arrived in Kaltag at 15:03.  After receiving the award, which will be re-presented in Nome, Travis took straw and headed toward Unalakleet.  It looks like he went about 17 miles and is camping in the shelter of a forest.

Travis rested in Nulato for almost 5 hours.  He covered the 47 miles between Nulato and Kaltag at an average speed of 10.6 mph.  His total run from Nulato to where he’s camping now was 64 miles. 

Jessie Holmes Arrives in Kaltag Behind Travis Beals (Photo: Siri Raitto)

It’s definitely a fast trail between Nulato and Kaltag.  Teams following Beals were almost all running over 10 mph – Holmes 10.64, Drobny 10.80, Hall 9.86, Redington 11.33 and Seavey 11.33.

Holmes arrived in Kaltag at 17:02.  Following Holmes, Drobny, Hall, Redington and Seavey came into Kaltag in a 22 minute span beginning at 18:14 with Redington and Seavey 1 minute apart at the end of the train.  With the speed at the front ramping up, the race will spread out as the hours pass.