2011 Alaska Adventure Starts Now

[Bill Babler]

Phil pulled up stakes and is headed for Bristol Bay, after a short visit in Denver. I'm headed to Kodiak leaving next week to meet our first set of guests. Am really pumped. Weather on Kodiak has been very good with sunshine and mid-60's. Wow, what a break.

Just got a report from Mack's Sport Shop that fishing has been off the hook so far this year. Kings in the River mouths, Halibut in Shallow Water, with lots of Ling's and Rock Fish.

Fresh water is just now starting to see some chrome bright Pinks edging in, with thousands in the salt at the mouths of the bays. Lots of Sea Run Dollies are in amoungst them.

Kodiak has had an excellent run of both Kings and Sockeye and they are still coming in fresh, but the report says it will probably end by this week. Still we will tie into some pretty fresh Kings I believe in the rivers.

Little gal I spoke with said she fished the American River yesterday and caught pinks in the salt till she was exhausted. None in fresh water, but you can see them rising and schooling in the mouths of the bays in the saltwater. You just wade fish the shoreline. She said they grilled the chrome bright pinks fresh from the salt water on the beach over willow fires with lemon pepper and chives and they were the best salmon she had ever tasted. Livng her entire life on Kodiak that is some kind of a statement. Said the saltwater pinks were running 4 to 7 pounds and they simply slashed the 1/2 oz chartruse Pixie, pulling drag and line till her arms burnt.

We have Saltwater Fishing Advenures planned. Fresh water fly and spincast fishing. Fly Out fishing and Bear Viewing, and many other activities. It is going to be a great month on Kodiak.

Will keep you posted and you can join us thru the computers.

[Bill Babler]

Adventure starts this morning. Leaving for Anchorage around noon. Be on Kodiak this evening. Phil is to arrive on Thursday, hopfully without any Bear Bites from Brooks.

[denjac]

Forget about all those trash fish. Bring me back some silvers. Oh, I need a new hat too. Have a great trip !

[Phil Lilley]

While Bill is in the air, I'll post a couple of pics from the trip so far. I've taken more video than still pics so bear with me (pun intended).

Yesterday, I went out on my own on Nakenk. Caught some sockeye for taking home. Then hit rainbows in front of the lodge. Caught a 24 inch rainbow on an olive jig. Man they fight hard!! Only had 2 bears walk up on me while fishing along silver bend. They turned rather quickly when I yelled at them. I had sockeye in the boat so I was ready to head out quickly if they didn't.

Today, we picked up my boat in King Salmon and put in here in town. Headed down to the mouth of King Salmon Creek where silvers are holding, waiting to head up to spawn. At first we were nailing them but it slacked off real quick. They are geared to the tides and we were at the end of the ebb tide (slack). Of course, I was using.... a pink 1/8th oz marabou jig and the loved it. See, jigs will catch ANYTHING, ANYWHERE! Going to try that again tomorrow. No pics today, sorry.

Brooks Rainbow with a stimulator in it's mouth.

This is the gateway to Margot Creek on Naknek Lake- Margot is one of my favorite places in the world!!

Me and Hunter Johnson heading down river in search of silvers the other day.

I'm at Eddies in King Salmon waiting on Duane and Mona Cheri. We're having dinner this evening together.

[TroutRinger]

please don't taunt me with stories and pics and fish and beautiful scenery all week ...

[duckydoty]

Great dinner with you at Eddies...I know it's your favorite! See you in Oct. when we get back and swap some stories with you about Yantarni.

[Phil Lilley]

Just saw Duane on the river... had a client fishing for silvers. He pulled up just about the time Hunter and I were ready to leave. Told him I'd take $10 if he wanted our spot- he countered with $5 and I said deal!

We were anchored at the mouth of King Salmon Creek, a creek that's used by thousands of silvers for spawning. Their heading up on every high tide. Hunter and I are taking a break --- at Eddies!!! --- then heading back out for high tide.

We hooked 10 silvers and landed 2. Landed a nice chum salmon- my first.

More video... and a few pics. Posted later.

Drizzle, rain and 50 degrees today. Good fishing weather.

[jdmidwest]

Just to make you feel homesick Phil, you did not need a jacket here today. Temps are double what you posted. Scare a cold front this way.

[Phil Lilley]

Wish I could... better here today but cold front hitting tomorrow- wind and mid 40's. Better in Kodiak I hear. Be there tomorrow about 3 pm.

Boated and drifted the river from camp down 2 miles last evening. Caught 40 rainbows on sculpin 1/8th oz jigs. Most were about 14-18 inches with one pushing 20. Hooked one monster but hooked pulled out.

Had 5 bears fishing with me. They'd walk the banks up and down looking for a floating fish. Then swim out and around and then across the river.

Laundry day today before leaving tomorrow. If I get my things around, I'll do some fishing up at camp again later today.

Chum Salmon

Naknek River Camp

Naknek Rainbow

Bear Roaming the River

[Dave Cook]

Ditto on Margot Creek.

How's Hunter doing? We were there a couple of years ago and they wouldn't let Hunter play with the big boys.