Russian River update

[AK Trout]

Got into the russian this morning at 6am...all the parking lots were 100% full it was crazy. So we parked in the lower trailhead parking lot and walked to falls. The reds are all up high near the falls. So if you want to hike thats were they are at and the lower russian is pretty much dead. For the amount of people that were there it was not worth it, still early.
Fish On!

 

[Michael Strahan]

Upper Kenai Reds

Upper Kenai Reds

Trout,

Just spoke with a friend who fished the upper Kenai this week, between the Russian and Jim's Landing. They caught 20 reds; not too bad considering they were Florida guests without a lot of hands-on experience with reds. They were with a guide though. The point is that there do appear to be fish in the Kenai at least, so perhaps it's still worth the drive down...

-Mike

 

[floridafisherman]

Not to be thin skinned or argumentative,but I hope the previous post about "guests from Florida" wasn't an insinuation that Florida fisherman are inept! I might take exception to that.....

 

[Sketch]

I believed the statement was well qualified with:

they were Florida guests without a lot of hands-on experience with reds.

Can't get much plainer that that.

 

[Michael Strahan]

No offense taken-

No offense taken-

Not to be thin skinned or argumentative,but I hope the previous post about "guests from Florida" wasn't an insinuation that Florida fisherman are inept! I might take exception to that.....

Florida,

No offense intended- or taken. I'd probably bomb out if I was fishing Pompano or Redfish in your backyard, though I am an experienced fisherman. Catching sockeye in freshwater is an acquired skill. My point was that if they could do it, it's probably worth the drive for residents skilled in catching reds. The party I mentioned was actually the family of a friend of mine who I've guided for moose. He has a boat in Tampa Bay, and is a very experienced fisherman. He did pretty good on his Alaska hunt too, but there were no salmon in the river. It's just different.

Some day I hope to make it to your neck of the woods for some of your incredible saltwater fishing!

Regards,

-Mike

 

[AK Trout]

From what you say it still might be worth it..i was talking about the fishin above the santuary in the russian.

 

[floridafisherman]

No offense on this end either...sometimes my feeble attempts at humor don't quite make it in print. I have never ever read any of Strahan's posts that I interpreted he was "slamming" somebody. When you make it to Florida I hope I can be as much help to you as you have been to me. In fact I would make it a point and personally honored if I were able to put you on fish myself. Although our fishing is somewhat more diverse than Alaska's it is no where close to the quality and abundance that can be found in the Great Land!

 

[SperBear]

Trout may just be right

Trout may just be right

Trout,
I made about the exact same trip you did, same day and same times.
I couldn't agree with you more... I was SHOCKED to see 100% full parking lots that early in the day, and from what I saw and what I was told, the fish to fishermen ratio was very few to very, very many. That river was loaded with people, but myself and some others did limit out up top. Hope this helps,


Sperbear

 

[Michael Strahan]

Note to Florida-

Note to Florida-

Florida,

Don't sell yourself short! You folks have stuff that beats the pants off anything we have up here! I'm attaching a photo of one example, though this is my pop down in Mexico; you have the same thing out your way (yes, I know this is supposed to be Alaska fishing, but it's Father's Day too- this is a tribute to dads who fish with their kids). You've also got those outrageously huge Largemouth Bass, plus panfish galore. I miss all that, though my pursuits for them was limited to the "Left Coast".

I'm glad you're enjoying Alaska though. It's truly a unique place.

-Mike

 

[AlaskaCub]

floridafisherman

floridafisherman

I was born and raised in Miami, my whole family (Dad, Grandad, Uncles, Cousins and me) fished tournaments from Kingfish and Dolphin to Marlin and Swordfish I fished half my life in Miami, the Keys and the Bahamas. But I have to tell you that I was a total retard when it came to fishing for salmon in interior rivers. Its a totally different sport the fish dont bite the same way as saltwater fish do. Didn't take long to learn though but it took a good teacher. Where in Florida you from?

 

[fishNphysician]

EO to open Sanctuary Area

EO to open Sanctuary Area

Yup she opens up Wed the 21st at 6 am.... here's why.

BEG is 14K-37K.

9000 fish have already crossed the counter.

10,000 more fish between the upper fishing boundary and the counter.

6000 more fish sitting in the sanctuary as I type.

And there's still a "few" more to come given that spike in the Kenai king salmon sonar last week. Defintely some reds in that bunch. Reports of reds spotted in Sterling seem to indicate another good push of fish are headed to the Russian.

Wouldn't be surprised to see it go to six a day before the season is over.

Get 'em while it's hot!

 

[Alaska Gray]

Headed down tomorrow night !!!!!!

 

[AlaskaHippie]

Headed out in 4 hours. Back thursday night.

 

[Alaska Gray]

Hippie, How did you do last week? Taking my friend who I met in Iraq to the Russian tomorrow night. He is now stationed here.

 

[AlaskaHippie]

Did great. 3 upstream from the cottonwood hole and three the next day down past the powerline (floated that day). Trout where a bit scarce tho'. How was your trip?

 

[Alaska Gray]

Great done in 45 minutes. Though I did take a weight in the back of the head. Man did that hurt. A guy was fighting a fish then broke off. His line zipped past him, so he snapped his rod foward to bring back his wieght and lure and when he did that the weight pegged me in the back of my head. Drew alittle bit of blood. I did manage to stay on my feet. I will say I did see starts and had a bad headach right after that.

 

[NORTH2AK]

Park Pass

Park Pass

Does the annual State Park pass work at the Russian Camp ground?

 

[floridafisherman]

I live on the east side of Orlando, 'bout twenty five minutes from the Indian River Lagoon. Flyfish out of a sit on top kayak most of the time. Fish for redfish and sea-trout mostly, some tarpon. Ninety five degrees here today with 90 per cent humidity .....wheh !!!! can't wait to get to Alaska...

 

[cmo1977]

NORTH2AK,
The state parking pass doesn't work for the russian. It is in the national park. The parking rate for 12 hours is $8. The oly place the parking pass would work for the upper kenai is at the Kenai Lake launch and Jims Landing. Sorry.

 

[fishNphysician]

Wouldn't be surprised to see it go to six a day before the season is over.

Get 'em while it's hot!

With nearly 30K past the weir as of June 25, this one is almost certain to exceed the upper BEG of 37K in the next 2 days.

I just reviewed the management plan on the ADFG website. Turns out 6 a day is not one of the management options in the plan. However a potential possession limit of 8 is listed. I suspect that decision will come in the very near future... get ready.