Phil Lilley

I tagged along with friend and guide, John McClosky, with a couple of guys from Denver.

Here's the first of several videos from my trip. I have hours of footage to go through. Nothing fancy... just scenery and fishing. Big Creek is a tributary of the Naknek. It's a king salmon spawning river and thus the kings are somewhat protected. It's all catch-and-release. Kings can't be taken out of the water. I believe you can keep jacks though... a king under 20 inches.

I wouldn't want to discuss $$$ on the open forum but would in a private message.

My friend Jim Johnson is in need of a marine mechanic for a few months this summer/fall. He runs Evinrude E-Tec jets on the river. They're ran hard, lots of hours and the river is hard on them. He needs someone "yesterday" and his season ends the last of September, although he may not keep this person past mid September. Of course, there are some nice "perks" involved in this job, namely some incredible fishing opportunities and... just being in Alaska. If you're interested, send me a private message and I'll get you in contact with Jim.

Looking forward to reports from @curtisce and @ozarkflyfisher It wasn't their first time to Naknek. Jeff Wenzlick showed up at NRC this last week. I didn't get to fish with him but I think he had a good fishing trip. Like I said, the weather was nasty for them unfortunately.

Lots of video to go through. Going to take a while to get on youtube.

In Seattle on the way back. Have a few hours to kill so I thought I'd report on my trip. Alaska has had little summer so far. We had a few 70+ days in June but July had been cold and rainy. Some days it's barely getting out of the 40's. And lots of rain. The river rose 2 feet while I was there and it was already high on my arrival. Rainbow Rock was underwater when I left, for those who have been there. It's hard to wade the river when it gets that high. Sockeye took their time moving up through the river this season. To the exact day as last year, the reds started their move on July 2 after holding in the mouth for days. We had good days with dry runs days mixed in. They let the netters loose after Ak Fish and Game counted 1.3m fish moving through but even with drift boats fishing in the river and set netters in full fishing mode, we saw big runs the last few days of the trip this week. And big ones... we always see the small reds move in first and the big ones last. Hard to land the 9-13 pounders in high current. Rainbows were good at first but slowed down for us. My jigs did ok but not as good as last year for sure. We made a few trips up Big Creek for kings and did well. No one in my group the last 2 weeks fly fished so they through stick baits and plugs and caught them. Pics speak for themselves. Only had one close bear encounter. Had a female adult come up the steep bank on us while sockeye fishing. We had a few fish in the cooler and she caught the scent while passing behind us in the brush. She paused and took a couple of steps toward us off her path but I was able to "talk" her into moving on. We were on the lookout the rest of the time at that spot. Never saw her again. Big Creek Sam landed 3 of these... 36-40 inch king adults Fresh chum Sockeye

Duane might have beat me to itk but I don't have time to look see

Very quick report. First week, rainbows were very good but no 30's. 28's and 27's in abundance on jigs. Sockeye very slow. Kings moving in Big Creek and not bad. Weather was decent with one day in the 70's. Second week, rainbows slower but good. Still no 30's. Sockeye picked up but still spotty. Kings getting better and better. Big ones in Big Creek. Third week so far has been cold and rainy. Sockeye making their move big time but netters are taking a bunch. Rainbows slow. We did well on kings today in Big Creek with a 42, 41, 38, 38, 36, 33-inch and a few smaller ones. I got a 22 inch last week and a 26 inch today on a fly. The rest were on a fire tiger thunderstick (clients were throwing them on spin cast). Enjoy pics.

Made it. This cool weather is going to take some getting used to. 43 last night and my heater was hooked up yet. River is up from last year a bit. Sockeyes are trickling in... late again this year. Kings are in in decent numbers. Rainbows are good. Running to town picking up and dropping off clients at the airport today. Will fish later this evening.

I'm leaving out of KCI early Friday morning, flying through Seattle, Anchorage and then King Salmon by mid afternoon. Pick up my "stash" that's been in stockage and head to the cabin at Naknek River Camp. Brian Ellis @ozarkflyfisher and Curt Evenson @curtisce will join in on Saturday afternoon at camp. The weather is pretty nice... around 60 daytime and 45 nighttime. I'm leaving just when our weather is changing to cooler temps... but that's ok. Salmon forecast: Kings arrived in force yesterday, as reported by @watermen2 who owns a commercial boat and fishes Bristol Bay for salmon each year. Sockeyes - they're late in almost all regions, but we should see some come into the river next week, even in small numbers. They won't let the netters fish until the run begins so any reds moving into the river should be undisturbed. We should get a good shot at them. Rainbows - they're catching a tons of them but they are on the small side (23-28 inches). But as the smolt action increases, we should see some 30+ inchers move into the target areas. I will be up there till July 14th. Will try to post reports and pics but the internet is real bad up there. We will see!

Super!! What are the bank guys doing? Throwing crank and stick baits?

The Springfield and Branson Chapters of the Missouri Trout Fishermen's Association will hold their second annual Fly Fishing Exposition this year on July 27 and 28. It till be a celebration of everything fly fishing and it will be held in one of the premier trout fishing areas of the Ozarks, Branson, Missouri. We have a fine venue at the Branson-Hollister Lions Club Community Center at 1015 E State Highway 76 approximately one mile east after you cross the bridge over Lake Taneycomo from the Landing Boulevard. We expect to have approximately 60 fly tiers demonstrating their skills, talking about flies, and sharing tying tips. We will have nearly 25 vendors and factory reps on hand to show you their products and make you a deal. We will raffle and auction off some fine tackle, nets, boots and waders, tackle bags, fly tying stations, artwork, signature flies and more. One of our members, Larry Wegmann, will give a program about aquatic midges, of prime importance to our local tailwater fishery. In addition to that, a very famous guide on the White River in Arkansas, Davy Wotton, will be on hand to present his program on fishing the White River. Also, another world famous fly tier, who specializes in "sculpting" deer hair, Mike George, will be there to demonstrate his amazing deer hair flies. Adults can learn from fly casting expects demonstrating their skills on our casting pool. We're looking forward to a great Branson Fly Fishing Expo, and we hope we'll see you there! On Saturday, July 28th, we will hold a Kid's Fishing Event for kids 15 and under at the Shepherd of the Hills Fish Hatchery below Table Rock Dam from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.. "Barney Fife" will be there to help the kids and entertain them. Terry Sanders, a five-time comedian of the year, will play the Barney character. Terry plays numerous comedic characters at both Silver Dollar City and the C.J. Newsome Classic Country and Comedy Show. A limited number of rods will be available but feel free to bring your own. Mentors will be on hand to assist the kids. Note: If you plan to attend this great event, please make hotel reservations early. Follow us on Facebook and our website http://www.mtfa-springfield.org/news-events/branson-fly-fishing-expo-july-27-28-2018/ Davy Wotton. Mike George Deer Hair Flies. Terry Sanders as Barney Fife.

Thanks. There's a lot more I can say will catch fish but that would take a book. Fly fishing below the dam has been very good. I wish I could get up there and fish - do a report - but just don't have time. If someone gets up there, give a quick report please.

SS# for fishing licenses... If the subject has run it's course, then I'll close the thread.