7-29-2013 Fishing on the Kenai

The guys finally decided to head out and wet a line.   We hired a fishing guide to do some drift fishing.  Down the Kenai there is a 13 mile stretch of the river that you can only drift.  We met our guide at the landing and got suited out in our waders (like men in tights with boots) went through the safety briefing in case you fall out of the boat.  The water temperature was about 44 degrees with a current of 8 knots, so if you do go over the side you need to have a plan.  You wouldn't survive long before hypothermia would render you motionless and the fast flowing river would sweep you downstream.  The bears and eagles would have a field day with you.  Your brain would be still functional but you’d not feel a thing.  You would have to watch them devour you right before your own eyes, not a site I would like to be a part of.

There are a few rapids you have to negotiate along the way, nothing that would give you heart failure, just a little excitement.  After about an hour of drifting we landed the boat along the bank of the river at a spot the guides call Bloody Point.  It derives its name from the guides cleaning the fish they catch along the bank. Once they fillet the fish, they throw the remaining fish parts into moving water for the seagulls and other varmints to feast on. 

The point lived up to its reputation.  After we were given instruction on how to properly cast the line we commenced to fishing.  It was a while before we got the technique down but it wasn't long before we hooked our first salmon.  What a thrill!  They are real fighters!  The first one I caught took out about 100 ft of line.  We were using fly fishing reels so it was really exciting. Cranking that fish in is challenging.  You have to properly hook the fish in the mouth for it to be considered legal catch.  The salmon do not feed during their journey up the river so the technique is to drag the line in front of them and hook them as they swim upstream.  It may sound cruel but it is what it is.

You are allowed to bag 3 salmon per day.  My buddy, Don, got his limit and I got 1 real beauty.  I caught several that were considered illegal hooks, having hooked them in the side, the belly,  or the tail.  When you hook illegally the fish just takes off downstream like a lightning bolt.  They normally just jerk the line out so you don’t harm the fish any further.  You only keep the ones that are silvery in color.  The dark pink colored salmon are not good eating, they are nearing their life expectancy and the quality of the meat is not very good. 

I said I'd kiss the fish if I caught one!!

We had a great time and would do it again.  The salmon run is nearing its end so the opportunity to salmon fish again is doubtful.  They let approximately 800,000 salmon up stream in the Kenai each year.  The guides do not believe that the numbers are there this year; they feel that they only let approximately 650,000 up before they let the commercial fishing boats close off the inlet with nets.  Looks like some lobbyists are at work putting the almighty dollar in front on the line instead of the natural migration of the fish.

In all we landed 14 lbs of salmon and are having it processed, filleted and vacuumed sealed for future consumption.  The guide $200, processing $25, men in tights priceless.

Our next fishing adventure will be down in Homer where we will go Halibut fishing off shore. Get ready for some real fish stories!

On the way back to the RVs we spotted a field of Fireweed.  I couldn’t resist the opportunity to snap a few pictures to share with you.

In Alaska, they are about to break a record for the local areas of 14 days in a row of 70 degree plus temperature.  It may shatter it by several days.  Their forecast it to continue the 70’s into the weekend. Timing is everything.  We have thoroughly enjoyed the beautiful weather we have encountered. The locals can’t remember a summer like this for quite some time.

We hope that you are enjoying your summer with your family and building fond memories. Those kids grow up so fast and before you know it they’re up and out of the house.  So grab all the love you can get and cherish the moments.

Go to  youtube.com and paste this the link to see Bob in action. Thanks to my good  buddy Don Jacobs


              This is a link to Bob Relyea catching a salmon: http://youtu.be/FPM8GAVKgUg

Bob in tights in the reflection of Don's glasses