Now that we are riding the deeper slide into fall, it’s time to concentrate on those beautiful silvers entering the streams.
The Anchor River conditions are fine, even though a bit low, but the silvers continue to arrive and move upriver along with the Dolly crowd.
Eggs are working about the best, so far, but are also being taken on flies and spinners such as the Zray and red bell Vibrax. The coho can be picky.
Chasing them has worked well just after high tide and, of course, the soft tip of dawn or the lip of night’s slumber.
The Anchor River weir coho count on Aug. 17 was 48, with 69 counted the prior day and 193 the day before that, totaling 1,333 fish so far.
Although those counts are not hot, the hard core fisherdudes and dudettes still know how to nail them.
Silvers are spooky and avoid daylight like it’s a skunked-soaked dog with a breath that could melt the paint off a semi. They also love the rain and tend to motor upstream as the water level rises and the water temperature gets as cool as you think you are in your new wading gear that costs more than a boat payment.
As most of you know, spin casting is a very prolific way to fish for coho. When casting, it is important not to stop retrieving until the spinner or spoon is almost at your feet.
Silvers will often follow your lure all the way in before striking at the lure. I’ve had them slam the rod just before I was ready to take the spinner out of the water. It startled the hell out me and I lost a few because I stood there frozen like a dipstick without a clue. But I learned. Another suggestion while retrieving the lure is to move the rod to the left or right occasionally to change the direction of the lure. Also just stop reeling altogether for a second allowing the lure to flutter to see if that inveigles a strike.
If you are using a fly rod and targeting fish holding in slower currents, don’t cast your fly and line on top of them. Cast beyond or to side of where the fish are and then start your retrieve as short strips with the occasional pause. Coho will leave the school to chase and bite the fly. Remember, when hooked, they cop a nasty attitude and will normally blast out of the water with a tendency to roll in the line and leader.
Flies commonly used for this type of fishing are Muddler minnows, flash flies in greens, blues and reds and wooly buggers in different colors. Plus, don’t forget dead drifting beads and/or salmon roe clusters suspended under a bobber.
Of course, everyone has their favorite lure, especially if they’ve made it themselves and it resembles something a starving scavenger would spit out. So, use what works for you, including techniques.
Time now to take a look the fishing report for week of Aug. 18.
Freshwater Fishing
Expect fair coho fishing in the lower sections of the lower Kenai Peninsula roadside streams.
The run in the Anchor and Ninilchik Rivers is still plugging along, with new fish sticking their snouts upstream every day.
The upper sections of the lower Kenai Peninsula roadside streams are open to sport fishing, but expect slow Dolly Varden fishing.
Saltwater Fishing
Kachemak Bay/Cook Inlet
Groundfish
Halibut fishing continued to be more challenging last week. If things are slow, try drifting areas to explore new spots before setting the anchor.
King Salmon
King fishing improved over the last week with reports of chinooks throughout Kachemak Bay. The Bluff Point, Silver Ridge and Point Pogibshi are likely to produce the action. Trolling with herring and thin blade spoons behind flashers has been a reliable producer.
Coho Salmon
The silver run in the Dudiak Lagoon is wrapped up and been given its last rites for the season.
There are scattered reports of coho from anglers within Cook Inlet, but the fishing has been erratic everywhere. Trolling is still the best option.
Emergency Orders
Please review the emergency orders and advisory announcements below in their entirety before heading out on your next fishing trip.
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 reached at ncvarney@gmail.com.
