A Fishing Report
August 21, 2013
I haven't caught a fish since the ice was frozen over the lakes (yes, I realize it's AUGUST). This shot of me was taken in January, just after Keta was born. So if you're here looking for some expert fishing advice or top of the line reports...you've come to the wrong place. If you want a real fishing report, check out ADF&G's fishing reports at this site.
First question: How many fishermen does it take to catch a sockeye on the Kenai River?
The latest try for fishing was the Kenai River for reds. I was assured that if I wanted to catch a fish, THIS would be the place to do it. I think some other folks were assured that as well. And some did!
Not me.
Next question: How many fishermen does it take to LAND a sockeye on the Kenai River?
Two?...nope.
Three? Yup. but not without first almost falling in, dropping a fishing rod and probably ten minutes of effort. I wasn't timing them, but I lost interest before they landed it, so that's saying something. But really...who am I to be judging? At least they caught a fish.
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| Coho, canned |
It's really not just about the catching the fish. We just built our smokehouse, and I was looking forward to smoking some salmon. We already have some in the freezer and some in jars, but there really isn't anything quite like smoked salmon strips, is there?
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| Coho strips in a smokehouse |
Ok so maybe a big part of it IS about catching the fish. Come on! I miss those days visiting my brother in Aniak....yes, maybe I could have used a few lessons on how to hold the fish (thanks Mike), but at least I was catching them!
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| Kate with a coho |
So here's some proof that my "getting skunked" streak is NOT for lack of effort:
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| Sockeye on the Kenai |
Now, for those of you out there who aren't FROM Alaska: you might be wondering - what's a sockeye? A red? A coho? Well, I have an answer for that(for those of you who already know the answer to this question, well you can skip ahead to the more exciting part of the story where I still don't catch a fish).
So, what are the different types of wild pacific salmon and how can you tell the difference?
Most of the specific information from this section comes from a pamphlet published by ADF&G entitled Alaska's Wild Salmon, written by Jonathon Lyman at ADF&G.
Reference here.
Ok, so there are seven existing species of Pacific salmon - five of them spawn in Alaska. Those five are the ones I'm talking about here. Their common names are Chinook, coho, sockeye, chum, and pink salmon. They have some things in common: they are anadromous, meaning they spawn in freshwater, migrate to salt water to feed and grow, and then return to freshwater where they spawn and die. They all undergo several changes in color and appearance during their life cycle.
A bit about each:
Chinook Salmon (king)
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| King salmon - photo credit: N Catterson, Yakatat |
Oncorhynchus tshawytscha
In adult fish, irregular black spots on the back, the dorsal fin, and both lobes of the tail fin differentiate this species from others. They also have black coloration along their gum line. In recent years, there has been a severe decline in the number of chinook returning to spawn on the Kuskokwim and other areas of the state. They are an important species to subsistence and sport fishermen alike. They are fun to catch, as they can grow to be quite large. The average Chinook salmon weighs between 20 and 40 lbs and grows to between 30 and 50 inches in length.
Coho Salmon (silver)
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| Coho salmon - photo credit: N Catterson, Yakatat |
Oncorhynchus kisutch
Adult cohos in saltwater or that have just arrived to fresh water are bright silver with small black dots on their backs and on the upper lobe of the caudal fin (the tail). As they move toward their spawning grounds, they get pinker in coloration and their upper jaw/nostril area becomes hooked. Coho usually weigh 8 to 12 lbs and can grow between 24 and 30 inches long, some larger.
Sockeye Salmon (red)
Oncorhynchus nerka
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| Sockeye salmon - photo credit: N. Catterson, Yakatat |
You can tell a red salmon from others because they lack the large black spots that other salmon have. When spawning, they turn brilliant to dark red on the back and sides, and pale to olive-green on the head and upper jaw. Breeding males develop a humped back and elongated hooked jaws. They are much smaller and usually weigh between 4 and 8 lbs, growing to between 18 and 24 inches long. These are the kind I can't catch, apparently.
Chum Salmon (dog)
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| Chum salmon - photo credit: N. Catterson, Yakatat |
Oncorhynchus keta - (yes my daughter is named after this one)
Adult ocean chum salmon are metallic greenish-blue on the top with fine black spots, or speckles. When they get to fresh water, they turn green and purple along their sides, quite pretty. The males develop the hooked snout and very large teeth. They weigh between 7 and 18 lbs and grow to between 24 and 32 inches long. The name dog comes from their large teeth and due to the fact that lots of folks would harvest these fish to feed to their dogs.
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| Pink salmon - photo credit: N. Catterson, Yakatat |
Pink Salmon (humpy)
Oncorhynchus gorbuscha
This is the smallest of the salmon, with an average weight of 3.5 to 4 lbs, and a length of 15 to 24
inches. An adult fish returning to spawn is bright steely blue on the top and silvery on the sides with a lot of large black spots on the back and on the tail fin. Before they spawn, the adult males will develop a very pronounced flattened hump on their back (whence the name humpy).
Question answered. Now, I have a question for you. What are the other two species of Pacific salmon? Hint: they spawn in Asian waters.
Ok so now I've kind of lost my train of thought. Ohhh that's right - me not catching any fish, which leads me to my next question.
Why didn't I catch any fish?
Apparently, it's because I wasn't in Yakatat, judging by Nate's pictures.
But really, maybe it's just that it wasn't a good day for it... Oh I know, it was the weather.
Tell that to the bear who devoured this fish not far off from our tent.
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| Sockeye remains on the bank of the Kenai |
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| Fish eggs, or roe |
Tell that to my family members, who got to catch their fish just fine.
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| Yup, she's grown THAT much since I caught my last fish. |
Well I don't know, but I'll be fishing in Georgetown the first week of September...surely I'll catch a coho then. Pictures to follow.
For now, I'm just glad it doesn't take the perfect mixture of weather, gear, technique, patience and luck to enjoy catching views of this kind of scenery.
Happy fishing.
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| Kenai River, Alaska |