Alaska Fish Wars - Episode Guide

It's the start of an intense fishing season as 400 vessels race to fish for wild Alaskan salmon. Climb aboard three boats for a firsthand look at the competition. To avoid a grudge match, rookie captain Gavin on the North Crow pulls a risky maneuver that pays off big-time. Captain Wes on the Night's Edge isn't so lucky - the only whopper he pulls in is a $3,000 fine for fishing across the legal boundary. Captain Dan on the Paragon braves rough waters in the hopes of making his trek worthwhile.

There is never a dull moment during the Alaska salmon fishing season. Onboard the Night's Edge, the surly crew faces a third day of bad luck when the boat's hydraulics break down. On the North Crow, Captain Gavin makes a rookie mistake -- grounding his boat on a sandbar. Captain Dan on the Paragon breaks away from the fleet and scores big. The crew picks up several hundred fish and gets the net back into the boat with only seconds to spare as time expires on the day's open fishing.

The Alaskan salmon season is under way and captains race into Cook Inlet to secure their share of payday. Captain Dan's fishing mojo has been missing all season long, so he calls in his 11-year-old son to help change his mediocre season. Captain Gavin finds himself fishing farther north than he originally planned, but he lucks out and brings in a huge haul. Captain Wes sets the first net of the day and after a few moments, a huge school slams into his gear.

The battle rages for Alaskan salmon in Cook Inlet. Every year brings new fishermen and a slew of challenges. Season on the Edge shows the adversity fishermen have to overcome when going head to head for the sockeye in the arena that is Alaskan Fish Wars.

With the season almost upon them, the commercial salmon captains of Cook Inlet are ready to spring into action. The stakes are high as each fisherman has something to prove this season and the salmon run is predicted to be one of the largest in history. As the fishing season begins some captains hit the fish hard, while others have a tough time even getting to the grounds.

It's the second day of fishing on Cook Inlet and, after getting a taste of the profits that can be earned on the first opening, the fishermen are looking to fill their boats with wild Alaskan salmon. For some of the captains their decisions bring in profitable results, while others begin to second guess their skills. But inner battles aren't the only woes on the water as faulty gear plagues some of the men.

It's the peak of Cook Inlet's salmon season -- these are the days when a fisherman can unload $30,000 of salmon in a single day and the competition can be fierce. Each captain makes the critical decision of where to drop their nets as some heed reports of the hot zone, while others defy the crowds. With an onslaught of fish around them, it's a race against time to pick the fish as quickly as possible and get the net back in the water before the fish leave the area.

The infamous tides of Cook Inlet wreak havoc on the fishermen. Taylor destroys his drive shaft in shallow waters and spends the rest of the day repairing his boat. Wes allows his crew to sleep in, and the late start also finds him battling low tide, which damages his boat. Sensible Captain Dino leaves port early to avoid the tides, and after a brief power failure, his reward is a tremendous fishing day. The tides form massive waves that ravage Captain Gavin's boat, causing him to be delayed.

Captain Dino lets his crew sleep in so they can recharge, but he finds himself in dangerous waters without a deckhand in sight. Taylor's patience is wearing thin and he pushes his crew even though they are visibly fatigued. Captain Wes has trouble finding the fish, but on his second try, he hits a huge set. Captain Gavin and Chris are exhausted from the long season and Gavin makes a costly mistake miscalculating the borders of the fishing zone.

On the final day of salmon fishing season, Captain Dino lands on a hot spot but must fend off desperate fishermen to keep it. Meanwhile, after blowing an engine, Captain Wes's day might be over before it begins. At the southern end of the fishing zone, things get crowded for Captain Taylor and he must turn to his father for advice. And after a strong start, Captain Gavin tears his net but refuses to give up.