Alaska - 2023
Sorry for the long post! I did a search on this forum and others prior to asking... My wife and I are recently retired and are planning on making the trip to Alaska next summer. We have a multitu...
Forum Discussion
The horseflesh will suffer further indignities..."Salmon fishing in rivers is boring. You're just trying to snag a fish passing by, they aren't interested in eating."
- Chances are this statement was made after fishing the Kenai, Kasilof, or Russian for red salmon. Red salmon ("sockeye") are plankton eaters and are truly not interested in eating once they hit freshwater. Fishing for reds in freshwater is a matter of dipnetting (Alaska residents only) or trying, as mentioned, to snag them in the mouth, otherwise known as flossing for reds.
- Pinks ("Humpy") or Chum ("dog") salmon are more active in freshwater and will hit lures and baits, depending on their mood or the weather or ....
- King salmon ("chinook") will hit lures or baits, although bait and some lures are currently banned by regulation. Takes some work to get a king nowadays, but they are fairly active in the freshwater if they make it past the commercial guys.
- Silver salmon ("coho") are exceptionally aggressive in either salt or freshwater. I've been told (how they know I'm not sure) by ADF&G bio guys that silvers are either trying to eat or just get mad at the bait or lures that cross their path. Same source told me that king salmon either try to carry bait (i.e. eggs) upstream. Silvers are aggressive strikers, Kings you have to know when the line is bumped and set the hook hard...they both fight aggressively.
Point is, if you're interested in fishing, it can certainly be worked in to your trip. Other than a bit of freshwater doldrums in early August, there is enjoyable salt and freshwater fishing from May - September...even opportunities for trout and pike if you want to venture on some of the lakes.
- Chances are this statement was made after fishing the Kenai, Kasilof, or Russian for red salmon. Red salmon ("sockeye") are plankton eaters and are truly not interested in eating once they hit freshwater. Fishing for reds in freshwater is a matter of dipnetting (Alaska residents only) or trying, as mentioned, to snag them in the mouth, otherwise known as flossing for reds.
- Pinks ("Humpy") or Chum ("dog") salmon are more active in freshwater and will hit lures and baits, depending on their mood or the weather or ....
- King salmon ("chinook") will hit lures or baits, although bait and some lures are currently banned by regulation. Takes some work to get a king nowadays, but they are fairly active in the freshwater if they make it past the commercial guys.
- Silver salmon ("coho") are exceptionally aggressive in either salt or freshwater. I've been told (how they know I'm not sure) by ADF&G bio guys that silvers are either trying to eat or just get mad at the bait or lures that cross their path. Same source told me that king salmon either try to carry bait (i.e. eggs) upstream. Silvers are aggressive strikers, Kings you have to know when the line is bumped and set the hook hard...they both fight aggressively.
Point is, if you're interested in fishing, it can certainly be worked in to your trip. Other than a bit of freshwater doldrums in early August, there is enjoyable salt and freshwater fishing from May - September...even opportunities for trout and pike if you want to venture on some of the lakes.
