During the last couple of weeks, this column has offered more than a few tips on what techniques can be utilized to nail those evasive silver critters entering the Fishing Hole and, from the responses received, they actually work.
It also helps to know your fish, if for no other reason, to help you keep out of trouble and not look like a clueless dork.
Speaking of dorks, my old bud Wild Willie was a primo example of the classic clueless when he showed up here years ago and set up a palatial visqueen camp out on the Spit.
Back then, ex-Californian W.W. couldn’t tell a perch from a squid when it came to salmon, much less the rules and regulations pertaining to them. So, he immediately got into trouble and ended up on a first-name basis with the Fish and Game troopers.
Turk and I tried several approaches to teach the ole curmudgeon the difference between the species but he had the retention span of a gnat until we sat down with him and went through a free copy of the Sports Fishing Regulations Summary booklet from the local state’s Fish and Game Office.
What got Willie’s immediate attention was that it was free and didn’t use big words. Not only that, he admits that he’d still have his head up and locked in a very dark orifice if the booklet hadn’t included colored pictures of the different species of gamefish he was interested in.
What can I say? Til this day the ole boy’s so averse to learning something new that his version of a text message is a Crayoned note left under a rock in our driveway.
Anyway, from enquiries we’ve received lately asking about the identifiable differences between salmon, I suggest fisherfolk pick one up to keep as an overall excellent reference source.
Reminder: when the tide edges up the beach on the outside of the lagoon, the schools will be running along the shoreline. They circle and cruise both far north and south of the entrance. Take some gear and a stroll. Watch for the schools’ wakes and jumpers then cast several yards ahead of them.
Time now to take a look at the fishing report for the week of Aug. 11.
Freshwater Fishing
A sizable number of Coho have been arriving in the lower sections of the lower Kenai Peninsula roadside streams. Fish near the mouth during the incoming tide or near daybreak to greet the rookie arrivals. Cured salmon roe clusters suspended under a strike indicator is a great way to get a silver’s gorge on.
The upper sections of the lower Kenai Peninsula roadside streams are open to sport fishing but expect turtle-slow Dolly fishing. Dead drifting beads are your best shot.
China Poot personal use dipnet fishery is still open through Aug. 15 but this run will soon be beyond sunset.
Saltwater Fishing
Kachemak Bay/Cook Inlet
Groundfish
Halibut fishing put on the brakes a bit last week. But the marine forecast is favorable during the coming days. Plus, the tidal exchanges are decreasing this week so fishing should improve.
King Salmon
King fishing was abysmal to so-so over the week but should start to gear up as we get closer to the end of the month. Try places like Silver Ridge, Bluff Point and Point Pogibshi. North of Bluff Point reopens on Aug. 16 so some of the popular locations between Bluff Point and Anchor Point would be worth trolling this week.
Coho Salmon
The coho run in the Dudiak Lagoon is slowing down to a sloth crawl but there may still be a few newly arriving stragglers to take a crack at this week.
There are scattered reports of silvers from anglers within Cook Inlet but the best catches have been reported from the outer coast. Also, silvers are beginning to be landed near the mouth of Kachemak Bay. Try trolling for them the same way you would for kings.
Emergency Orders
Ninilchik River Closed to King Salmon Fishing
King Salmon Bag Limit Reduced from 2 to 1 in Lower Cook Inlet Salt Waters
Rockfish bag limit reduction: 2 pelagic, 1 non-pelagic.
For additional information, please contact the Homer ADF&G Office at 907-235-8191.
Nick can be contacted at ncvarney@gmail.com.
