Last year, Jason Ching produced the short film showcasing the research of an Alaska Salmon Program. Watch it here. It was incredible. Some of the best salmon, wildlife, and landscape videography we'd ever seen. Fast forward 1 year. 

Today, Jason has yet another beautiful Alaska video reel, focusing on the landscape and salmon of Lake Aleknagik in the Wood River System and Iliamna Lake. There are some absolutely fabulous aurora, aerial, and underwater shots in this short film. 

From the Filmmaker: 

This video highlights the scenery of Iliamna Lake and Lake Aleknagik in Southwest Alaska. These two watersheds provide spawning habitat for some of the largest returns of wild sockeye salmon from Bristol Bay, and also serve as important habitat for the development and growth of salmon in their early stages of life. As a keystone species in Bristol Bay, sockeye salmon are of large economic importance to the commercial fishing industry and local lodge outfits, they serve as an important food source for local communities, and also support the diverse and amazing ecosystems within these watersheds.

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A fantastic look at the life cycle and nutrient cycle of Alaska's wild salmon. These fish give us so much, it is our responsible to protect the best we have left.

From the Filmaker: 

Once they enter fresh water chum salmon stop feeding and morph into an aggressive creature intent only on mating. After spawning, they die and their bodies become a source of nutrients for everything in the forest and sea.

Very special thanks to Lynn Schooler, who without I could not have made this short. Special thanks to Richard Nelson, Hank Lentfer, Riley Woodford and Henk Meeuwsen for providing additional sounds.
To Lynn & Michio, whose stories and adventures inspired me to come to Alaska.

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UPDATE - Shot over the course of three weeks with a Canon 5d and a GoPro. Music: Smetana - Má Vlast (The Moldau) and Górecki - Symphony No. 3: Il Lento E Largo