More Blog Articles
02/19/2012
JJF Alaska Show a Hit in Brazil!
02/12/2012
Fishing at Jimmie Jack's in June
02/09/2012
Fishing in May on the Kenai and Kasilof Rivers: The Pros and Cons
Jimmie Jack's Blog
JJF Alaska Show a Hit in Brazil!
The Alaska show has been a huge hit in Brazil. We just received news that they aired the show again this weekend during Carnaval! (Sidenote: Rosy's brother is throwing another huge party to watch the show at his neighborhood bar in Campinas.) They have been showing both shows multiple times since October.
It started out that I asked my hot Brazilian wife, Rosy, to see if she could make contact with a Brazilian fishing show. She was shocked when she heard back from Globo Television. I, the gringo, did not understand the magnitude of this project. Well, we hosted a reporter and camera man in July last year, and the show first aired in Brazil in October and showcased Alaska to all of Brazil.
Well, now, Rosy's Facebook has lit up, and she posts photos of our life here in Alaska, and her Brazilian fans love it. She has been interviewed by her home town paper, and now a large magazine from Campinas where she lived for 15 years. And, if you fish with us this next season, you will probably here some Portuguese, because the Brazilians are coming!
Fishing at Jimmie Jack's in June
Every year, fishing the Kenai and Kasilof Rivers becomes two very different experiences in June. Because of differences in regulations, angler density, and fish count, these rivers begin to look like two different worlds. In some respects, fishing Alaska in June feels like fishing in late-May, only everything is on the rise: water levels, air temperatures, and numbers of king salmon.
Lets start by discussing the few remaining similarities between the Kenai and Kasilof Rivers. The early-run of king salmon is going strong and both rivers are seeing significantly higher fish counts. In June the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) sonar counter near the mouth of the Kenai River now detects 200-600 kings leaving Cook Inlet every day. With the increasing fish count comes increasing angler density on both rivers as well. Since their source glaciers are now belted with up to 19 hours of sunlight a day, the water level is rising on both rivers, too. This means fewer obvious places to set up an ambush near deeper water channels.
Got all that? Good, because more fish, more anglers, and more water is all the Kenai River and Kasilof River share in June. The Kenai River is now teeming with moderate-sized kings at 25-40 pounds, but if you want to land one of these fish, you must do so with a single-hook, unbaited lure. The ADF&G also stipulates that once you retain a king 20 or longer on the Kenai, you may not fish on that same day for any species downstream of Skilak Lake (at and above which fishing for kings is closed). Also, kings between 46 and 55 must be released. Remember that fish that you intend to release must remain in the water. This regulation is in place to allow you the opportunity to catch the next world record 100 pound king, but keeps anglers from taking any 6 year-old kings out of the gene pool.
So if you get a lucky strike early on, fishing for kings on the Kenai in June may make for a pretty short day. The good news is youll have plenty of people to talk to once youve wrapped things up. Angler density on the Kenai is by no means uncomfortable in June, but its up. You may consider this a drawback, but many anglers enjoy the buzz of excitement surrounding the presence of other anglers sharing in the experience.
Meanwhile, over on the quieter Kasilof River, a happy angler in a driftboat has just landed a 23 pound king. His guide has it safely stowed for him and he sets his bait back in the water for king number two. What makes him even happier is that on the Kasilof River he can continue to catch and release, and possibly keep another king. On the Kasilof the bag limit is 2 kings longer than 20 (provided that only one is a wild king). The only thing that makes him happier still is that hes out with his guide on Sunday or Monday, something else that he couldnt be doing on the Kenai River.
Also remember that on the Kasilof, 1 of your 2 king bag limit on Tuesdays, Thursdays, or Saturdays, can be a non fin-clipped king. You just got lost, I know. Let me explain. On Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, you may keep 2 kings, but 1 of your 2 may be non fin-clipped or as we say wild . This means that the adipose fin (on the dorsal side, near the tail) exists. On any other day, other than those three days, both kings in your limit of 2 must be fin-clipped, or as we say hatchery . These fin-clipped fish have no adipose fin. Got it? If not, please have your lawyer call my lawyer. We will go fishing and let them figure it out!
To recap, in June, anglers begin to split up into two groups. Those on the Kenai have the opportunity to fish for larger fish on a river that is increasingly full of excitement, but also increasingly full of other anglers and motorboats. Those on the Kasilof must accept fewer and smaller fish in exchange for the opportunity to keep up to 2 kings a day, and fish on a drift-only river.
Jimmie Jack Drath
Fishing in May on the Kenai and Kasilof Rivers: The Pros and Cons
Fishing in May on the Kenai and Kasilof Rivers: The Pros and Cons
Most anglers plan their trips for later in the summer, but fishing in May can be very rewarding, depending on what you consider to be a successful fishing trip. Generally speaking, if you are looking for a trophy king salmon, you might have a tougher time finding one in the freshwater in May. If, however, you want to sit in stunning solitude and observe the wildlife of Alaska as it shakes off a long winter, this is the time of year for you. Although, remember, the world record 97 pound monster king salmon was caught in May! All things are possible.
Fishing in late May means catching the early-run of the king salmon (chinook). These may not be the massive kings of the late-run, but these moderate-sized fish run on both the Kenai and Kasilof Rivers, and provide anglers with plenty of action.
Not only are early-run kings smaller, they run in smaller numbers. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) has a sonar counter about 8.6 miles from the mouth of the Kenai. It is often only in the final days of May that more than 100 kings a day swim past. As a rule, the Kasilof offers more, but smaller fish than the Kenai.
The upside to fishing in May comes from the glacial origins of the two rivers. Both Kenai and Kasilof are glacially fed, and in May both rivers are relatively low. So, while there may not be as many fish, there arent many places for them to hide either. A good guide will know how to exploit running channels on both rivers, and set up ambushes for the early kings. Just because the numbers of fish are relatively lower in May doesnt mean youre off the hook; a 20 to 35-lb king salmon can still put up plenty of fight.
Remember to keep the regulations in mind when fishing the early run kings. The Kenai River has a slot limit during this early run. Kenai kings between 46 and 55 must be released through June 30th. The Kenai will begin with no bait allowed, while you can fish with bait on the Kasilof River beginning May 16th. On the Kasilof River, there are adipose fin-clipped kings, a.ka. hatchery kings , and then there are unclipped kings a.k.a. wild kings . On the Kasilof in May and June, the wild kings may only be kept on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.
Another reason to consider fishing Alaska in May is the low angler density. Most sport fishers will wait until July before descending on the Kenai Peninsula. Fewer anglers mean less competition and more river for you. Add in the Kasilof Rivers driftboat-only policy and you have a recipe for true peace and quiet. Many days on the Kenai River, you will find only a handful of boats in site.
Another great option for kings in May is to charter a halibut trip out of Ninilchik. Many halibut captains offer combo trips for halibut and kings in May. You can spend some time trolling the inshore saltwater for schools of ocean fresh kings that are headed for the Kenai or Kasilof, and then drop down for some big halibut as well. This combo could make for a great barbecue!
While you are on the river in May, be sure and take your eyes off the water. This month is marked by abundant wildlife that just cant be seen at busier times of the year. Moose cows are showing their calves the ropes, while bears and eagles eagerly await the return of the fish.
To recap, fishing in May can be a rich experience. Expect good numbers of fish that are fresh and full of fight. Exploit skinny running channels while the river is low, and enjoy the freedom afforded by low angler density.
Jimmie Jack Drath
How to catch Sockeye Salmon on the Kenai River
Red salmon fishing is easy when there are 50,000 plus running by your feet in the middle of July. You gotta be brain dead and on life support not to at least get one on by simply whipping your line through the water just off the bank. So how do you catch them when there are very few passing by, or when you want to get your limit and get back to the campfire? And how do you hook them in the mouth?
I like to use a 9 foot rod whether it is a 9 weight fly rod, or a stiff tip salmon rod. That helps me get a more powerful hookset when I decide to swing the metal into its lips. I always keep my hook sharp. I replace hooks or sharpen them constantly. In the main stem of the Kenai River I use a 4/0 Gamakatsu Octupus hook, and on the Russian I use a Russian river hook (specific size - see the regulations). I place 3 chartreuse 6 millimeter beeds on my 20# test green or clear monofilament leader and tie on my hook. Most of the time I have leaders ready, and use an eggloop knot, but you may find me tying a simple clinch not just to get back in the water. You can break your line easily if you snag the fish in the wrong mouth, like the tail mouth. It's power can either run you out of line, or you can point your rod at the fish, and hold your reel to break him off.
Okay, so some of you are saying why 20 pound test? You say, "I am a sportsman, and I can land that 8 pound fish with my 5# Stren!" Great! Go for it Mister Wizard. You gotta understand that you are going to fight 6 - 8 knots of current, and one crazy fish with at least of few friends downriver. Well, when your fish strings you out, and you begin to move like a monkey, climbing trees, and passing your rod around your buddies, and running downstream you may think twice. OR& your friends, hoping they are still friends on your 4th trip past them in 20 minutes, may let you know that you're messing up the fishing for everyone downstream. So just be aware that everyone else is using 30# test, and their drags are set on "stun." Have fun, and most important, make friends by following the trend of the anglers around you.
I usually place a split shot or twist lock weight about 3 - 4 feet from my hook. The amount of weight will depend on the speed of water you are fishing. You want your weight to lightly tick the bottom as it swings downstream. You will have to adjust your weight accordingly. This is also dependent on the type of swing you are making. First, I find it helpful to figure out where the line of fish are swimming. Red salmon usually follow a beaten path, and you find that path by watching others, or swinging your beads through the water in front of you. Red salmon are found in the water in front of you, about 3 to 10 feet from the bank, depending on the water speed and depth. There is no need for you to cast, and no need to be in past your ankles. Simply pull out some line and flip. The faster the water, the closer they swim, and the tighter line they will run. (There is a big hint here if you want to target them easily) So you definitely do not want to fish the frog water where you see them boiling, unless you just want to snag them in the dorsal fin. The reason you fish them in fast running water is because they will all be facing forward for your presentation, and there will be a constant flow of fish in a line. Too easy right? Absolutely!
Now back to the weight issue. It is important that your terminal tackle enters the water at the same point because of the water speed issue. Then once you get your weight correct, and it is ticking along the bottom you will need to keep your entry point (a matter of degree, and distance from shore) the same. If you do not stay consistent you will continually be struggling to have your weight tick the bottom. It is very important that your weight does not stick on every rock or float above the bottom. The Sockeye are on the bottom. As your weight ticks across the rocks it will eventually be picked up by a Sockeye. It may take it hard, but most likely the fish will just stop your hook. It feels like caught the bottom.
When a red salmon grabs your hook it will just stop your hook on its mouth, and you must JERK like you mean it. Keep your sunglasses on and watch for other anglers. To hook the fish in the mouth you jerk up, and to hook them in the side you jerk sideways. Remember that a snagged fish, or one not hooked in the mouth must be released, or you may run into another friend&the fish and game officer. Remember to bring some extra hooks and weights, pliers, sunglasses, and a hook sharpener before you walk down to the river. Have fun with one of Alaska's most powerful fighting fish, the Sockeye Salmon!
Rip some lips,
Jimmie Jack
