Waking up before 6 AM is much easier when the sun has already begun it’s long circle around the northern sky and there are Sockeye Salmon swimming by at a rate of eight to ten thousand per hour a mere 100 yards from your bed.  On days like this there are really only two serious concerns: How bad will the bugs be and will my tackle hold together for another full day of battling the toughest pound-for-pound anadromous fish in the world.

 Such is life on Alaska’s Kvichak River in early July.  This is trophy rainbow trout country, and the largest spawning area in the world for sockeye salmon.  The Kvichak River is the only outflow for Lake Iliamna, which is the largest lake in Alaska, and flows roughly 60 braided miles to the tidal waters of Bristol Bay, near the town of Naknek. The Kvichak is the largest “highway” for salmon in the world, and the Bristol Bay region is renowned for its salmon fishery. The sockeye salmon run in this water is the largest salmon run of any kind in the world.  Ready to tie a fly on yet? Often times fishing provides an opportunity to relax and reflect in the serenity of the tranquil outdoors.  There has been many times when facing a challenging bite, I have simply paused in my pursuit of the elusive bite and absorbed my breathtaking surroundings.  This has rarely occurred while fishing Reds on the Kvichak River.  Pauses for relaxation are actual rests for a weary shoulder and the breathtaking surroundings are a welcome respite from the relentlessness of a seemingly infinite number of six to ten pound fish streaming by.  Much like the swarm of mosquitoes that maintain a stronghold above the water, these fish will defeat you simply by their overwhelming numbers. As strong and as fast as any fish you’ll find in fresh water, these fish will test your resolve and equipment.  You can bring your 6 weight for chasing the big rainbows that can be plucked from the braids in the lower river.  You can even bring along your 4 weight for some excellent dry fly action on trophy size grayling.  However, don’t forget your 8, 9 or even 10 weight if you plan to do battle with Sockeye.  Sure, I can land one with a 5 weight.  But can I land 100?  Or 200?   Such numbers may sound absurd to someone who is used to fishing for hours waiting for the bite to happen.  On an evening this past summer when there were good numbers of fish traveling past, I was curious as to what pace a steady fisherman could set, so I “clocked” myself.  In less than 30 minutes I had hooked 20 salmon.  Just to be conservative, let’s say I needed a break, broke off, or just slowed down to visit with a fishing partner, and ended up hooking only 30 fish an hour.  Now, to be even more conservative (borderline ridiculous, to anyone who knows me), let’s say that I only fished six hours that day.  That’s 180 Reds.  Now how many days do I want to do this?  How many days can I keep that up?  Now you’re getting the picture.   Sure, it’s not the same as the reward of a large rainbow finally being fooled by your flawless presentation, but it’s a completely different kind of adrenaline rush.  If you don’t think fighting over 100 Sockeyes in a day can be fun, then you’re sniffing too much bait.  If your idea of testing your gear is fighting one or two big fish, may I suggest another type of test?  Try fighting hundreds of seven pound fish. By the end of the day, a warm gourmet meal and a soft sofa will be the final ingredients in ending your day on the Kvichak.  Besides, you’ll need all the rest you can find if you’re going to do it all over again tomorrow.  Sometimes a few of us real demented old fishermen will actually go out after dinner and totally exhaust ourselves.  It doesn’t get dark, so it’s not uncommon for people to be fishing well into the night.  The body can only take so many days like that.  Trust me. If you think you’d like to put yourself through this test, there are some important steps to take.  First, get yourself some quality equipment.  I would recommend Loomis, Orvis or Sage rods.  A well built reel with a quality drag system is important as well.  Anything anti-reverse is good too, if you like your knuckles healthy.  For tackle, 15 to 20 pound line is a good choice for salmon leader.  Coho flies with no more than a 3/8” gap between point and shank with bright colors and lots of them.  Fast sinking leaders, a variety of sinking speeds for a variety of water, and small add on weights are also a good thing to bring along.  Don’t forget some preventative measures to ward off the insects too!   Second, plan to take some vacation days around the 4^th of July to hit the best time of the run on the Kvichak.   

Third, find a quality fishing lodge that can provide the fishing experience of a lifetime.  I would suggest starting with Ole Creek Lodge and calling Marge Haugen at 907-452-2421 or looking at olecreeklodge.com for information.  The time to book these trips is now!  What are you waiting for?  Feel free to send me any questions!

 See you on the river! 

While there truly are some hidden gems in the great state of Oregon where seclusion and world class fishing can be found, the travel time to these locations makes frequent trips to these places impractical for most of us.  When you take the effort to reach a place like that, it’s also likely going to be for more than a morning or afternoon outing.

For those occasions when you want to get away for an afternoon or morning trip, you can employ a couple of simple tactics to find that secluded fishing location that can provide the much needed peace and relaxation that you seek.  And you can find some good fishing in these places without driving many extra miles.

Ask for Access

One of the simplest ways to find a less used stretch of water is to talk to a landowner about permission to access a stream.  A friendly handshake and introduction can be the key that opens a door to some quieter waters. 

Asking permission to cross someone’s property shouldn’t be an intimidating task.  The most important thing to remember is that it is their property and you should politely respect their right to decline access.  Don’t approach a land owner wearing your waders and carrying your bait caster.  And certainly never assume permission to access just because you see someone else using the property.  That being said, many property owners appreciate people who are up-front and friendly about crossing property.  They appreciate the opportunity to tell you the best places to cross a fence or access a river bank, and don’t be surprised to get a fishing tip or two!

Take a Walk

We’re all familiar with the popular fishing holes.  They’re usually within easy driving distance, have good access from a parking area, a spacious bank, plenty of fishable water and, if the fish are in, lots of fellow fishermen.

These locations are not my idea of secluded fishing, but experience has shown that some of the best spots are not far away.  An ability and willingness to walk a short distance up or down the river can provide that secluded fishing experience you’re after.

There are some things to be aware of when moving to such a location.  There may be little or no bank, so wading may be beneficial or required.  Depending on the size of your quarry, landing fish can be problematic.  Confidence in your ability to land a 12 pound steelhead on a short bank can be a determining factor.  There is also typically less casting room, so you may need to be proficient with a back cast or roll cast to make the conditions fishable.  I suggest practicing these kinds of casts when it’s not necessary to develop your skill level.  Not being able to do it when it is necessary could be a frustrating experience.  Finally, the water you find yourself fishing may be more challenging.  You need to be able to adapt to the speed and depth of water you find in front of you.

Getting “away” doesn’t have to mean driving great distances.  Learn your local waters better and take more advantage of the recreational opportunities nearby.  The effort doesn’t have to be great and the rewards can be fantastic.  Winter steelhead season, perhaps the best season in the state, is rapidly approaching, so no time like the present!