Alaska
Finally made it to the salmon feed at Brooks Falls, on the Brooks River in Katmai National Park. Didn't happen on my first try, but had good weather the second. Was actually a tad worried as it was overcast in Anchorage, but Katmai Air/Aleutian Airways seemed to operate as normal. Gates A14-A17 are for intra-Alaska flights and have no security screening, so it's a quick jaunt from curbside to the terminal to the gate. Aka bring your own drinks and snacks, because there aren't any at the gate, nor any at King Salmon Airport, which is the main connecting airport to Katmai National Park.
Was hoping to fly on one of Aleutian Airways' Saab 2000 aircraft, but instead got stuck on the operated-by Argentum Airways ATR 42-600, which was a bit disappointing, as I've flown on ATR's a bunch before, but never on a Saab 2000. Still wasn't complaining, as it was barely one hour flight between ANC and AKN, so nice and quick. Katmai Air then took over in King Salmon, with an even quicker shuttle ride between the airport and the river, where a pair of elderly Dehavilland DHC 2 MK III floatplanes awaited. Loading was efficient and the ~25 minute ride to Brooks Lodge, on the Naknek Lake, was quite fun, especially as I had a window seat and could enjoy the beautiful-yet-rugged terrain below.
Apparently it was a slow day at Brooks Camp inside Katmai National Park, less than ten floatplates visible-- rangers later told me there could be upwards of 20 on busy days. Next stop is orientation (aka bear camp), since Katmai National Park is bear territory, and we are just guests. It's not a long process, about 15 minutes, although I can imagine a wait to get in on busy days. Bear safety, food safety, luggage storage, etc. are all efficiently explained, and then it's off on the ~1 mile trek across the Brooks River to see the bears.
The walk is quick and easy, make sure only to stop in allowed areas, and that all gates are opened/closed behind you. There's a few viewing platforms on the way, and some other hikes I didn't do due to a lack of time, but pretty quickly you're at the last outhouse before the turn off to the bear viewing platforms on the Brooks River. There was about a 30-40 minute wait after checking in with the ranger at Brooks Falls Bear Viewing Platform, but it's a comfortable one, as there's a second (open without a wait) viewing area, Riffles Platform, a short walk from the (thankfully covered and with benches) check-in area. From the Riffles Platform, you can get your first glimpse of the bears feeding on salmon at Brooks Falls.
The reward was swift. No bears at the top of the falls, but a half-dozen or so fishing below the falls, accompanied by a crowd of seabirds hoping for scraps. One bear in particular appeared to like the leaping approach to fishing, although I am not sure if that was more for dramatic effect. After 30 minutes, made it back to the check-in area, waited a few more minutes, and it was not long at all before my name was called for my turn on the main viewing platform-- and it was as good as hoped. Watching bears catch sockeye, skin them, and then eat them, skin, meat, bones, fins, heads, and all is much more impressive in nature than it is in captivity.
My 30 minutes being up meant it was time for lunch. Walked past a bear sleeping in the woods, not far from the trail, as well as a bear and cubs crossing under the bridge across the Brooks River as it entered Naknek Lake. I'd brought snacks, but decided to splurge on the buffet at the cafeteria. $45 is pricey, but considering how expensive it is to get things out to such a remote area, the price makes sense. And to their credit, the hot dogs were very good and the burger was excellent. Passed on soup, french fries, and dessert, although I will admit curly fries were tempting.
Another 30 minute wait for second stop at the Brooks Falls Bear Viewing Platform after lunch, which was way more amazing than my morning visit. This second time around, one bear with the skill to fish from the top of the falls, and holy crap, that bear cleaned up vs. all the other bears present. Caught (and ate!) so many fish that if s/he dropped a catch, I don't think s/he cared, as there was another fish in his/her mouth within minutes. The afternoon light also made the color of the salmon all the more visible, and even more dramatic as you could see multiple ones trying to jump up the falls while one of their fellows was actively flapping in the mouth of the bear at the top of the falls. Add in one bear eating his/her catch from shore behind the viewing platform, and it was quite the experience.
All too soon it was time to board the floatplane back to King Salmon. Katmai Air put me on the exact same one as the morning, then we ended up delayed at King Salmon Airport as the inbound from Anchorage was late. Coordinated with some other passengers to do a quick taxi ride into town as the airport was devoid of snacks, grabbed a few snacks, then back to the airport, where the theme of the day continued-- the exact same airplane from the morming ANC-AKN flight did the return AKN-ANC as well.
Was an uneventful rest of the day. Even with the delayed return to Anchorage, still had plenty of time left before my flight back home to find dinner, although not enough time to leave the airport. Inspired by the bears and their sashimi buffet, hit up Sushi On The Fly at the airport for a meal that was most certainly not as fresh or tasty as what I'd witnessed a few hours before, but that was all good-- have to keep realistic expectations for airport food, especially in the USA.
Verdict: an amazing experience, but the salmon feed is not nearly as spectacular as, say, Yellowstone, Yosemite, or Zion National Parks.