What's the target this weekend in AK?

No kids. No fiancée this weekend. Hmmm... Three day weekend...Aleut Day!!!!! 

Default is the inlet for butts. Though I better catch a decent chum while I can if I want to have a shot AOTY points. Kings may have to wait until sept.

One day I may go to Whittier in search of herring.

The other option is to float the lower kenai river since I expect zero boats with the king closures. I'd take a light rod for trout. If I could coordinate a second person, I'd consider showing the Kasilof crowd how its done from a Hobie.

I dunno... Not good motivation is so low....


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Rudy,

I'm going to be doing a little adventuring on Skilak, weather permitting. Plan to launch from the upper Skilak launch and work my way around to the Kenai inflow, and maybe beyond, time permitting. Do plan to camp at least one night.

Question - I've somehow lost the ability to cast a fly rod (refresher is in order), so will be using a spinning reel. What are the best lures for trout in the upper Kenai? And am I correct that must be single hook and no bait?

Seems like a free for all in Skilak - multiple hooks, bait, whatever - so may troll for lake trout while I putter along.

Thanks in advance...

That's something to think about for sure!  Single Hook no bait for ALL of the Kenai River (except fly fishing only zone which are more restrictive) through June 30. 

Right now I know people are throwing leech patterns, smolt patterns, and brighter red flesh flies.  For spinning gear, I'd consider running any of those flies under a large indicator or bobber.  I think you said you had a paddle kayak so back trolling plugs in-river might be tough but I hear its very effective.  Just doesn't get anywhere near the press the fly fisherman get for that part of the river. 

It's starting to get late for the smolt patterns but they are present in the river all year long of course.  So if I had spinning gear I would consider the bobber and fly method as well as trolling a yozuri pinminnow or a small rapala converted over to a single hook.  When I was a kid and didn't know any better, a small pixie seemed to have no problems hammering the dollies and rainbows in the river.

AKfishergal is the resident upper river expert.  What say you Pam?!?!?!?!

"When I was a kid and didn't know any better, a small pixie seemed to have no problems hammering the dollies and rainbows in the river."

Hah! So true. When I was a kid, I wasn't picky AT ALL. How many trout have been caught on a dull, ratty Mepps that has been rolling around in someone's tackle box for years?

I've done the bobber/fly method, so will plan on it.

And thanks!

No plans yet for me this weekend -- I'm sorry to report that my mother is doing pretty poorly right now and I'm not comfortable leaving town with her in this state.  If there's a change in her condition, I'll dash down to Seward and see whether I can get out to Caines Head ... looking for an early chum or some rockfish.  A day on the water would do me a world of good.  Upper Kenai looks awfully high and fast (10,100 cfs / 12.51 ft) -- I'd more likely be hiking up to fish the run between the lakes for rainbows, or spot casting from the marker below the falls down toward the confluence. 

Have fun; go somewhere! This is prime time. I need the vicarious enjoyment your reports will provide.

I'm not able to do anything this weekend either.

The last weekend this month looks to be a good one to be on the inlet. Low tide Change anyway.

Good luck to those that can get out!

Stillwater mode for me right now. Just picked up a couple of small SINK's for me and the wife, so we are gonna work our way north this weekend and see what we can get into.

I'd hit Paxon lake if I could

Not sure what to do. My father just got rushed into the hospital for a pacemaker. Unscheduled only because a spot opened early. It's basically a day surgery but still....

I was considering a road trip North as well. Lake Louise or even Harding Lake. Didn't think about Paxson.... Hmmm....

I hear some intel that says if I could recreate our homer winter King derby effort, that chances are good for kings.

Another effort might be Big Lake to hunt down a big pike.....  Argh.  I hope I do something.....




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Going to try lake Louise at night...lakers.


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Argh. One takedown fishing from 10pm to 3am. The best pic I got was off the water. Probably won't impress anyone who has been to Alaska in the summertime.

Pic at 3am



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Is it really night fishing if it never got dark?    

-Allen

Argh. One takedown fishing from 10pm to 3am. The best pic I got was off the water. Probably won't impress anyone who has been to Alaska in the summertime.

Pic at 3am



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Awesome! I would love to fish at 3am if it looked like that!

A few more pics for the Solstice Fishing ( I know I'm a day late but ...)
All untouched photos taken with my Iphone

11:13PM


11:20PM


11:35PM


11:57PM


3:16AM