Elvers glimmer in the cupped hands of a tribal fisherman at the town landing in Bristol, Maine on March 30, 2020. This small handful was plucked out of the seaweed-covered rocks that were revealed during low tide.
A tribal fisherman positions his net at the town landing in Bristol, Maine on March 30. 2020. Members of the Passamaquoddy tribe travel four hours to take advantage of the abundance of elvers that traditionally pass through this bend of the Pemaquid River.
Tribal fishermen work in the cold waters of the Pemaquid River on the opening day of elver season in Bristol, Maine on March 30, 2020.
A tribal fisherman pulls a fyke net into position during low tide at the town landing in Bristol, Maine on March 30. 2020. The specially designed nets efficiently funnel the baby eels for easier harvesting.
A tribal fisherman grabs a dip net before heading into the cold water at the town landing in Bristol, Maine on March 30. 2020. Fishermen are granted licenses for either fyke nets or dip nets but in order to maximize social distancing, fishermen this year were able to fish with multiple licenses so that less people crowded the river.
A tribal fisherman battles the slippery rocks to set his fyke net at the town landing in Bristol, Maine on March 30. 2020. Elver fishing is defined by the rhythm of the tides, and fishermen can often be found harvesting their catch at night when the tide is right and the elvers are swarming.
A tribal fisherwoman inspects her fyke net during low tide at the town landing in Bristol, Maine on March 30. 2020.
Bane, a German Shepherd, protects the belongings of his tribal owner at the town landing in Bristol, Maine on March 30. 2020. Fishermen often camp out for several weeks prior to the start of the season to ensure the best location for their nets.
Steve Staples lifts his floating bin of fishing supplies out of the river at the town landing in Bristol, Maine on March 30. 2020. Staples has been participating in the elver fishery since the early '90s.
A tribal fisherwoman observes members of the Passamaquoddy setting their nets at the town landing in Bristol, Maine on March 30. 2020. While individual fishermen have a limit set by the state of Maine, so, too does the tribe - once the tribe quota is met, they must all cease fishing even if their individual quotas are not made.
A fyke net floats on the Pemaquid River at the town landing in Bristol, Maine on March 30. 2020. The large nets can cost upwards of $1,000.00.
Fishermen fill the tiny town landing on opening day of elver season in Bristol, Maine on March 30. 2020. The lucrative season can make a fisherman's year with last year's prices in excess of $2,000.00/pound
