Alaska Fishing

It must have been 14-15 years ago, but as I recall the event, it seems like yesterday. I had two fishermen in the boat and we were back trolling (trolling slower than the current, so you are slowly moving down stream) K-14  Kwick Fish for Kings, (we do not back troll these days, as we have developed far more productive methods for catching big Kings). We were fishing a river cross over, King Salmon travel up river along the deep banks, but on the winding Alagnak River the deep areas switch sides on the corners. We were fishing one of these crossovers about 4 miles from the bay. When you are back trolling it is imperative to not set the hook, as more often than not the King will hit the lure 1-3 times before they take it and if you set the hook on the first or second tap the King will not come back. It really is a fun (challenging) way to fish Kings, but many guides put the rods in rod holders so the guest will not set and put the fish off. Not me, I always want the rod in the fisherman’s hands and I was constantly chiding, don’t set the hook, let him take it. Even then we used barb-less hooks,  but when the fish took it he was on, not to be lost unless you gave him slack.

To make a long story short, (which I am not at all good at) one of my two cigar smoking guests had a tap on the rod tip and I said don’t set, if anything drop it back a bit, (I believe Kings swim though a school of herring at sea whipping their powerful tail, they then turn and pick up any stunned fish, if you set = pull it away, they lose interest) there was a second tap and almost instantly the rod tip went down hard. The fish was on and I knew right away that is was a real big one.

This was a fathers and sons group and this man’s son was about a mile down river wading and fishing for chrome Chum Salmon. It was the third week in July on the Alagnak River and King fishing was great, but Chum fly fishing was super. The fathers were pretty content sitting in the boat, smoking stogies, sipping a beer, and King fishing, but the teenage sons preferred to spend most of  the day wading, where they could  move around a bit, have constant action and all have fish on the line at the same time.

Rick’s ( yes, I remember the name from 15 years ago, though my refrigerator  is covered with post it notes for just this week)  King made some great runs, I pretty much put the boat mid river and shut the motor off so we could enjoy the fight. I t was maybe 15 minutes, I was probably a little too quick getting the net out, but it was a really big fish and I wanted to land it real bad. The fish, a male, was almost too big for the net, but I reached as far as I could and I scooped him. Well, all hell broke loose and male Kings having pretty sharp  teeth, he thrashed and broke a couple of meshes, (a grown man could step on the net, pull as hard as he could and not break a mesh) almost instantly he was through the net. I don’t think I asked for the rod, I just kind of grabbed it from the client. Somehow I was able to pass the rod (tip first) through the hole in the net, and the miraculously the fight was on again. Now I have a net with a rather large hole in it.  I told the guest to relax and to keep pressure on fish, fortunately he was a pretty experienced fisherman. I started the motor and moved the boat mid river again, there was no wind, it was a pretty bluebird day, a real rarity for Bristol Bay.

I had some 20 pond mono in the boat and I started mending the net, with one eye on the fish and one on the fisherman, it was not a pretty mend job! By now we are rounding the corner maybe 300 yards above the young lads fly fishing for Chums, Rick’s son one of them. I said, “Let’s put some pressure on the fish,” a late thought, but now I wanted to land that big King right in front of the boys.

To finish this way too long story, we netted the King for the second time right in front of Rick’s son and his friends. My lousy net mend held and we were able to hoist the 53 inch King for all to see before we released him, (even back in those days we did not keep any fish over 40 inches) there were some hearty cheers from the boys who had no idea what had transpired up stream. Not surprisingly, after seeing that huge King the boys decided to skip the Chums for a while and go back to King fishing.

In all honesty I cannot remember anything else about that day, (I am positive that the story was prime happy hour and dinner conversation) or that week, but I remember the fish, that spot and the circumstances like it was yesterday!

Karl Storath, Angler’s Alibi Alaska

Visit us at: http://www.anglersalibi.com

2011 Fishing at Angler’s Alibi Alaska on the remote Alagnak River.

We started our 2011 season On July 1. King and Sockeye Salmon are our main target this week and we were not disappointed. King fishing was excellent drifting with two guest per boat was most effective with 10-20 hook ups per fisherman. All of our guests were returnees and everyone caught several fish over 30 pounds. For Sockeyes we wade and cast flies, most days getting a limit of 5 took about 2 hours with two out of three hook ups throwing the hook with spectacular jumps.

Our second week we again concentrated on Kings and Sockeyes with Chum Salmon added to the mix. I think every guest ( many of them returning for their 18^th year in a row) landed Kings over 40 pounds and there were at least 3 fish over 50 pounds. Due to heavy commercial fishing in Bristol bay the Sockeye fishing was not as good as week one, but wading and casting for chrome bright Chum Salmon was spectacular.

Week three was pretty much a carbon copy of our second week, with lost of 40 pounder Kings, but I don’t think we landed any over 50 pounds this week. We release all Kings over 40 inches and all hens, so we must estimate the weights of the bigger fish via length and girth, we had no Kings over 50 inches long this week and it takes at least 50 inches to equal a 50 pounder. Chum fishing was getting down right silly easy, with the dry fly chase starting up!

I will go into our next three weeks later, but for now the Alagnak River King run was looking like a great one, and the Sockeye escapement (counted up river) was over 700,000 fish.

 Angler’s Alibi Alaska is fly fishing, salmon fishing, trophy trout fishing and wildlife viewing. We are on the tide water area (only 7 miles from salt water) on the Alagnak River, accessible only by float plane and 250 miles from the nearest highway, in Alaska’s most famous remote fishing area, adjacent to the more than four million acre Katmai National Park. The world famous Alagnak River has a combined run of over 3 million King, Sockeye, Silver, Chum and Pink Salmon each year plus a huge resident population of Trophy Rainbow Trout and Grayling.

 We cater to only 10 guest each week Our Alaska fly fishing program is the top priority and all of our guides are excellent/patient fly fishing, fly tying instructors, but we are equally familiar with spin & casting gear if that is your preference. At Angler’s Alibi Alaska fishing always comes first, but you will also see an unbelievable array of wildlife. Sighting of brown bears, moose, beavers, otters, eagles, osprey, loons and other waterfowl are everyday occurrences.

Visit us at: http://www.anglersalibi.com

Don’t hang your poles up yet!

Fishing in the winter Months can be just as much fun as the summer you just have to know when where & how. The fishing has been good in a lot of the lakes and they have plenty of ice now but all ways use cation cold water kills. We fished on a lake called Hidden lake that is down on the Kenai peninsula and we had a great day with 9 lakers in total. This is one of them lakes that if you don’t know what you are doing you can have a poor day of fishing. It is all ways best to ask around before heading to a lake that you have not fished before. I all ways pick the brain of one of the local tackle stores before I head out and be sure to talk to more then one so you can compare notes between the two.

Be sure to pick up a set of Fish&Game regulations before heading out to every lake has it own regs. These lake trout love herring so be sure to pick some up at the store along with some spoons to try some jigging. The best time seemed to be early morning and late evening just before dark like any type of fishing it seems that the fish are on the move more or just wanting to eat at that time.

Soldotna Trust Worthy Hardware is putting on their yearly ice fishing derby for the Month of February. They will be having daily prizes and prizes in all categories this derby is great for all ages bring the kids they have kid prizes to so get out and have a great time.

The Kenai Peninsula has many lakes that have fish in them and you can get maps that show them all either on line or in most of your stores around Anchorage, Kenai & Soldotna. Get out and have some fun and just remember cold water kills so be safe and enjoy the winter with some fishing.

Tight Lines Gary @ Alaska Fish On Charters!

www.alaskafishon.com

1-888-283-4002

bigfish@alaska.com

Salmon fishing in Alaska provides anglers with the challenge they want and need. One of the most popular fish for eating and catching, salmon thrives in Alaskan waters. These fish are born in fresh water lakes and streams. They travel to the ocean to live their lives, returning to fresh water to spawn the next generation.

Salmon fishing in Alaska can occur in fresh or salt water. It all depends on the angler’s preference. In salt water, salmon tend to fight harder. They are in the prime of their lives and have the drive to prove it. So if you are looking for a good fight, take a charter out to ocean salmon grounds. If you want to fish in the streams, then be prepared for a fight as well. The salmon must fight their way upstream to get to their spawning grounds. And the streams they traverse are often rocky and challenging as well. Don’t think a fresh water trip would be a walk in the stream.

Salmon fishing in Alaska requires knowledge and a bit of luck. Fishing tackle choice will depend on where you are planning on fishing. All has to be robust since salmon can put up a struggle anywhere they swim. Heavy line and a good knot are requirements in any rigs. The decision to cast or troll also influences the tackle choices. A good tour guide or charter captain can help you determine what the best combination is for your vacation. Fishing guides are essential to make the most of a salmon fishing trip. With some salmon species weighing in at over seventy pounds, they definitely qualify as big game fisherman. And a good guide will take you to the sweet spots where they know the salmon like to bite and fight.

What is the best part of salmon fishing in Alaska? You are surrounded by the natural beauty of the state. The Tongass National Forest in the panhandle is a great place to visit. Salmon race in the streams of this majestic area filled with glaciers and deep fjords. The famous Kenai Peninsula is the home of many streams that teem with salmon. This area is also home to the salmon in coastal waters. The Yukon and Tanana rivers, coming from the Interior, provide migration routes for salmon as well. Wherever you plan to fish for salmon, Alaska will provide an adventure for the dedicated angler and the beginner alike.

Alaska’s Inside Passage Resorts LLC
George De Filippo, President
4925 Cervato Way
Santa Barbara, CA 93111

Toll Free: 800-926-2477
Local: 805-964-9622
Fax: 805-879-3787

Web: www.alaskalodgesandyachts.com
Email:  aipr2@ix.netcom.com

Being fortunate enough to be in the adventure travel and sportfishing profession, I have the opportunity to speak with anglers from all over the country. I hear accounts of Blue Marlin fishing in Costa Rica, or Bone fishing the flats off Midway Island.   There is a plethora of amazing destinations to explore and fish, and I am always amazed at the lengths anglers will go to exercise their love for sportfishing and travel.

In recent years, I have noted a trend developing in the adventure travel universe.  That new trend of course is sportfishing cruises which are found operating primarily in Alaska’s southeast region or Inside Passage. This phenomenon seems to have originated on a few of Alaska’s more traditional yacht charters which offered fishing and crabbing upon request as part of the overall guest experience. These activities were offered to compliment a host of activities such as whale watching, glacier excursions and wildlife viewing. Naturalists often were on staff and offered insight into a guests unfamiliar surroundings.

Where the live aboard sport fishing cruise really differentiates itself from the traditional yacht charter is the focus on hardcore fishing and the ability to professionally process your catch while at sea. These excursion vessels typically cruise with a compliment of two or three cabin cruisers which transport up to four anglers each to the fishing grounds. These smaller boats (20 -26 feet) are the preferred platform to reel in Alaska’s bounty of great seafood.  After your limits are in the bag, the cabin cruisers return to the “mother ship” which has now moved ahead and has anchored in a protected cove for the night.  In the galley, chefs prepare sumptuous meals of crab, premium meats, and Alaska seafood for the returning guests. Deck hands ready themselves to process the days catch, while appetizers and refreshments await you in the dinning area creating the ideal setting to share your stories of the day’s adventures.

There are certain foods or experiences that just seem to compliment each other. For example, soup and sandwich, warm apple pie and vanilla ice cream, etc. The live aboard fishing cruise is another example of a natural pairing. Live aboard cruises can be either a whole boat charter or passengers can book a cabin and join up to eight other guests with whom to share the experience. The cost of booking an Alaska live aboard cruise is typically no more than an Alaska lodge stay or a yacht charter for the equivalent number of days which is typically six days and five nights. I am convinced that the sport fishing cruise is the most fulfilling Alaskan experience available.

Live aboard cruises are also available in Panama’s Coiba National Park. Panama’s live aboard programs are warm water counterpart to Alaska sport fishing cruises. Because of Panama’s tropical climate activities include big game fishing, surfing, snorkeling and scuba diving. If you want your cake and want to eat it too, consider an Alaska live aboard fishing cruise or a Panamanian multi-sport live aboard excursion. In either case you’ll see more and have a more interactive experience than either a cruise or land based vacation could ever offer alone.

Alaska’s Inside Passage Resorts LLC
George De Filippo, President
4925 Cervato Way
Santa Barbara, CA 93111

Toll Free: 800-926-2477
Local: 805-964-9622
Fax: 805-879-3787

Web: www.alaskalodgesandyachts.com
Email:  aipr2@ix.netcom.com