Late Fishing Report - Seward, Alaska

[EDGEWATER]

I saw Charlie’s post and figured I'd share some of my 2012 Alaska fishing experience.

To sum it up - Alaska is truly breath taking!! Everyplace you look it's a postcard image.
A picture doesn't do it justice. Even when standing there it is almost too much to take in - sensory overload for sure!!

I answered the call for a 6th person to fill a 6-pack charter out of Seward . Someone posted this on TidalFish last September and I jumped on it.

We had a charter scheduled for 4-days. Weather had been pretty rough in the Gulf of Alaska for a week prior to our arrival and continued that way through our stay. We were able to get out 3 of the 4 days.

We actually tried on the 4th chartered day. Interesting trip - left out of Resurrection Bay and as soon as we rounded the point into the Gulf we were met by 40kt winds, water spouts and 10+ rollers with a chop. Captain ventured on saying where he wanted to go was protected. He told us he could get there – no guarantee on getting back (night on the boat hoping for calmer seas the next day). At least I THINK thats what he meant. We bailed-out and returned to port. I'll never complain about 4 footers on the Chesapeake again.

A couple of the other guys and I did some fly fishing on the Russian River and on another stream feeding Kenai Lake. We did ok with some smaller Rainbow and Dolly Varden. The Salmon are running late this year so freshwater fishing was kind of slow.

We had 3 good days on the Ocean. We caught Halibut, Salmon, Ling Cod, many species of Rockfish and more. We soaked bait for some of the fish but many were caught deepwater jigging (+/-250 ft mark). Our biggest Halibut (116#) was caught jigging.

So we're pulling in the Halibut and the captains says - "whoa - it's a big one" - then he dissapears into the cabin and returns with a 410 shotgun. Seems those big fish can really do some damage if they come in the boat alive.

Planning on loading up my TF album when I get a chance.

I am already planning to go back. Great place – checked off my bucket list!

Like Charlie said - GO to Alaska!!!

[kayak456]

Very nice I'm in canda now and cot a 77inch sturgeon yesterday

[fishon81]

Alaska is so cool. I would love to go there someday.

[Bob Watson]

Indeed a trip every fisherman should take.Great report Chip and it was great fishing and spending time with you.Lets do it again.

[Timbo]

Thanks for posting the Alaska fishing story and pics. Definately a must see and fish place for anyone. I fished down the Kenai peninsula to Homer and back in 2004. Waded the Anchor, the Kenai, the Russion river and Quartz creek. Caught 4 of 5 salmon species (kings were done) as well as dolly varden and halibut out of Homer. Not 100 lbers tho, more like all the 40 lbers you wanted til your arms got tired.

In 2009, my wife and I did a land/sea cruise from Fairbanks to Whittier then sailed the inter-coastal passage stopping at Skagway and Juneau. What a trip. I'd love to go back some day.

Lefty Kreh told me he's been to Alaska 17 times!

Here's a Silver from the 2004 trip.

[rocksandblues]

fished those same waters a few years back. Sensory overload is the perfect description. It is so beautiful it is hard to take it all in. Every fisherman or woman, HAS to make the trip. the fishing is that good

[ictalurus]

Awesome trip and nice pics. Exit Glacier is one of my favorite places.

[Stormin' Norman]

Thanks for this. Would love to do a trip like this some day. When is the best time of year to fish Alaska?

Norm

[Charlie S]

Norm, My guide told me that July & Aug. are good but there is a late run of Kings in Sept. which is great because it's not as crowded. The Kings were done early this year and there is some concern about that fishery up there.
Chip.... Great pics, my camera broke on my Salmon trip! It was in my pocket and somehow it opened. When the lens extended, it jammed! The camera won't work so I couldn't download my pictures. I have a replacement on the way and the original is on it's way to Olympus for warranty repairs. My guide told me that when you come that far, you should have TWO cameras. Good advice, as on my trip to Costa Rica, last Nov. I dropped it overboard!!!! I'm now on my third replacement!! The next trip will have a strong neck laynard attached !

[Roger T]

Awesome !