I spend a fair amount of time on the Kenai river in Alaska and this past summer was an epic sockeye run, with over 150,000 fish coming upriver in a single day. Sockeye or Red salmon are spawned in slow moving areas of lakes and rivers and then swim out to the ocean and feed on plankton for three years and return to the river they were spawned and make the journey many miles upriver, sometimes over 100 miles. So how do you catch a fish that doesn’t really feed on anything while heading upriver? The answer is a form of drift fishing or what some may call flossing. I’ve spent a few summers guiding in Alaska and try to get back up there as often as possible but it always seems like I have to relearn some of the tricks and tips to be successful so here’s my refresher to myself and anyone else who wants to listen. Many salmon and steelhead fisherman are familiar with the method I’ll be sharing on drift fishing and for those of you that are new to the game Warning: this type of fishing can be addicting and if done often enough will lead to full freezers, long lasting memories and epic meals! The Kenai, Kasilof and Russian rivers used to be known for combat fishing but I’d like to think that if everyone works together and plays nice it’s better for everyone on the river.
The set up- You can use a variety of rods including baitcasting and spinning but I like a nice long fly rod, it’s more sensitive and gives you more length for a swing and drift. The rod should be stout enough to handle a 10 pound fish in heavy current. I use a 7 weight flyrod designed for steelhead which may be considered light but I sure have fun with it. Many anglers use a nine foot 8, 9 or 10 weight flyrod because they can fight the fish in faster and have better control of it in a crowd. Just because you are using a flyrod this isn’t really flyfishing, it’s simply an effective tool for hooking fish and adrn fun way to fight them any long rod with a short butt will work but flyrods are the most effective to way to feel the fish. The reel isn’t that important but it better have a decent drag, the flyline might be less important as long as you have adequate backing in case you get a brawler that drags you out in the current. Some people like to put a spinning reel on a fly rod and use 20 pound test to take the beating that fish and rocks dish out, I like 20 lb maxima mono and use a about a 8 foot leader tied to my 9 foot rod. Sinker to hook length depends on the rate of current and depth of water but this season I’ve had my sinkers about 6 feet up from my hook. You can use the cheap deer hair sockeye flies sold everywhere but I prefer a snelled 2/0 gamagatsu or other stout hook with an offset bend like an octopus to improve hook ups, I make an eggloop for a chunk of yarn to give the fly some color, color doesn’t really matter it’s for the fisherman to see not the fish. If you are fishing certain stretches like the russian river confluence you will need a short gapped fly ⅜” or less and the weight must be at least 18” above the fly. You can also buy pre tied snelled hooks as well. Sometime weighted sockeye flies are beneficial to get that fly down deeper. For weights there are several different kinds and they all have advantages and disadvantages so I’ll name a few. The rubber core sinkers are easy to put on but they may slide down or fall off due to rocks and fish, the round split shot are nice because you can add or take away to adjust your weight and I like to crimp/pinch them on my line with a leadmaster pliers, this may kink the line and make it difficult to adjust your length. Bell sinkers/Ball sinkers work as well, they can be tied directly to your leader with a palomar knot but I prefer to tie a snap swivel and clip a bell or ball in, the sinker will drag on the bottom but hold your line slightly up off the bottom which can be advatangious, a snap swivel also allows you to change weight sizes quickly and easliy without retying. Slinkies are usually made from paracord with a melted end filled with smaller sinkers that can clip into a snapswivel. Another weight that can be used is using hollow lead dropper that comes on a spool, you then use a leadmaster pliers to cut a piece of lead to your desired length and then crimp it down on to a chunk of mono tied to the top eye of a swivel or a three way swivel. This dropper weight can be adjusted by teh line length for suspended fish and has a time and place depending current speed and depth. Above all if you are fishing in a snaggy place you will lose tackle, by using slinkies and droppers they may fall off without you losing the rest of your rig.
The technique– this technique is known as the kenai flip or flossing, and yes there is a trick to it. It consists of letting out about the same length of line as your rod and flipping your line perpendicular to the flow and then drifting or bouncing it downstream. Your line angles down your rod tip to the weight and the fly or hook angles slightly upwards. After you flip your line out and drift this rig downstream it will essentially clothesline the fish. Sockeyes are plankton feeders so they don’t really feed in the rivers but they are constantly opening and closing their mouths, if your line is weighted correctly it will pass through the fishes mouth and your hook will slide down and hook in the mouth of the fish, hence the nickname flossing. A properly weight rig should tap along the bottom periodically and you should be able to “feel” the weight ticking it’s way down stream. If it drags constantly you may be too heavy and will getting hung up constantly and losing tackle or may be running under the fish, too light of weight you probably won’t feel it contacting the bottom and you might not be getting down to where the fish are, it’s like goldilocks and the three bears you need to be set just right not too heavy and not too light. The difference between successful fisherman and unsuccessful ones is those who take the time to adjust or retie to make sure you are in the zone and have contact with the bottom. Take some to watch those around you or ask someone if they can offer some advice on leader length, sinker position from the hooks or the amount of weight needed. Some people may be more helpful than others but I find that offering up a cold beer or to net someones fish will help start a conversation, It’s also a good idea to watch those who get their fish quickly and efficiently and then ask them if they are leaving, if they are, they might clue you in on where to stand and what to use. Some people flip and rip without really feeling what is going on and this is essentially snagging, take your time and learn the proper method and you’ll be spending alot more quality time fighting a fish hooked in the mouth rather than dragging a belly, back or tail hooked fish. The flip itself is a constant repitition, over and over and over again, think of your arm like a windmill and just keep flipping. Drag or bounce your way along through your run and when you pull your line out, do it swiftly and often that’s usually when you will hook up so be ready for it, then as you pull your line out you are reloading into the next cast and then do it again and again over and over.
Pole position– Location, location, location. A lot of saavy anglers will sit back and watch what is going on before jumping into the river. Try to spot some fish or check out who is doing the best. How far out into the water are people standing? Usually everyone makes a uniform line along the shore, don’t be the guy trying to step out past everybody, the fish are usually right at your feet especially during low light periods, if you are past your knees you are usually too far for reds. If you are not bumping fish, take one step forward, backwards, to the right or left and then take note of where you are standing, look behind you and see if there is a rock or bush to use as a landmark. Count how many steps you take out from shore so you can replicate it if you happen to find the sweet spot. Get to the river early to beat the crowds or stay late to get the good spots as people fill out or head in for dinner, some people fish all night to avoid the crowds. Anywhere you can access spots easily will probably be overrun with people but by hiking in a ways, or taking a boat or plane ride you can find stretches you can have all to yourself.
Fish on!- When you hook a fish the best part just began, too many people try winching the fish in immediately and horse the fish in and often lose it in the melee. Sometimes your sinker comes shooting back at you so keep your rod tip low and wear some sunglasses to protect your eyes. The fight is the best part, so slow down and enjoy it, it’s you versus the fish. By tipping the rod upriver the fish will face upriver and can be coaxed towards you, if you tip the rod downstream the fish can turn sideways and use the current to head downstream, not very advantageous so keep your rod facing upstream and keep it bent. If you point at the fish and your rod goes straight the fish will probably shake its head and get off, remember to keep tension on the fish, always. If the fish runs downstream, let it run and then turn your rod back upstream and work it back up, it’s kind of like walking a big dog,and it’s much easier when you have it under control. Keep your drag properly adjusted and let it run hopefully you can let it run out to the middle of the river and not down into the people fishing below you, this can and will happen and if that’s the case hopefully you can let the people below you know that your fish is in their way and they be courteous enough avoid casting over your line and will give you a chance to work the fish back.If everybody is respectful and plays nice together less fish will be lost and everyone will have a better time on the river. After you have calmed yourself down and gotten control of the fish you can slowly work it into shore, if possible I like to back up and work the fish into slower water along shore, if done properly you can steer the fish up on shore and “beach” it, then you need to get ahold of it and hopefully bonk it, I like an old crescent wrench, one good crack to the top of the head should immobilize any fish. The other option to landing a sockeye is using a net and the bigger the better because they can be kind of wiley. Make sure to net the fish headfirst so the netman/woman has to anticipate the direction the fish is heading and then scoop it up. Hold the net handle vertically and carry the fish to shore otherwise you may end up bending the yolk on the handle due to a lack of leverage. Some fish get snagged but it must be hooked in the mouth to be considered a legal catch, if you’re not hooking them in the mouth you are snagging and you might get yourself a ticket. Tail hooked or otherwise snagged fish can put up a heck of a fight but if possible release them carefully with hopes that they will be able to spawn and make more for years to come.
After the catch-
Bonk your fish using a rock, wrench, tree branch or an actual bonker aka fish billy club. Once the fish is subdued slide a stringer line through it’s gill plate and then cut or pull a gill to bleed it out, the blood makes it difficult to clean and may impact the meat quality. Keep your fish on the stringer in cool water preferably in the shade. Fillet your fish at the river and throw the carcasses back in the river so the nutrients go back to the river where it came from, rather than bring the extra weight of the carcasses home that you will have to dispose of later. Many places have fish cleaning tables right on the river, keep your knife sharp, use good manners and wash up the table when you are done. Some people will bring a small table or ironing board down to teh river for fish cleaning and plastic mat works well to keep slimy fillets from sliding around. Eggs from hen salmon can be saved for bait later on(more on this in another article) and bellies can be saved to be smoked as an extra treat. Clean and rinse your fillets in a the river and put hem in a ziplock to be brought to a processor or to do it yourself. As of lately I like to fillet the fish but keep the skin on and place and split it down the middle so that the fillet can be folded in half slid into a vacuum sealed bag, I like to fold a paper towel and place at eth top of the bag to soak up any moisture that will prevent a good seal. Vacuum sealing and freezing should keep them from getting freezer burned and keep them fairly fresh to be enjoyed throughout the year.
What to pack and how– I have a fishing backpack that has everything I need for a day of fishing just about anywhere. Here’s a list of basics; Raingear, because it’s Alaska and well rain is just liquid sunshine,a stocking hat in case it’s cold. Leadmaster or multipliers to unhook fish or cut and crimp lead weights on. A fillet knife and plenty of gallon ziplocks to transport your catch at the end of the day. A stringer or chunk of rope. A good bonker. Water or other beverages and plenty of snacks in case you are out all day, nuts, candy, string cheese. Sunscreen and bug dope. Bear spray, keep it handy, just in case. Extra tackle; hooks, weights, yarn, flies, leader line, swivels. The fishing regulations, when in doubt, look it up. A leatherman to pull out hooks or for quick fixes. A good pair of chest waders, I rarely go over my waist but it’s nice to have, good wading boots with lots of traction, remember no felt soles in AK. A decent net and some zipties to fix any net holes. A good pair of polarized glasses to spot fish, rocks and snags.
A few extras to keep in mind. Salmon are an indicator of healthy oceans and their survival depends on how well we take care of our rivers and spawning areas. Respect the fish for the gift that it is, play the fish quickly and remember that released fish may be spent so they may not have enough energy to be released and still spawn. If you snag a fish, play it quickly and release it unharmed. Watch for bears, especially at the Russian river, they may be fishing the same areas as you, if that’s the case keep your stringer of fish tied to your hip and if a bear grabs your fish it’s best to let him have it. Also keep your backpack on you so that Yogi bear doesn’t get any free meals. Also keep an eye open for trees washing down river and make sure you have solid footing. Anytime you are fishing along a crowded riverbank there is bound to be some trash, please be responsible and pack out what you bring in and if others leave trash bring that out too, the fish will thank you for it. I usually clean up any line and tackle left behind by others and often get weights and hooks that I find are perfectly fine to reuse after you cut the line off. Many river landings have line disposal bins so that the line can be recycled. Do your part and help keep our rivers beautiful. A day spent on the river banks is like a small community, so be courteous and offer to net a neighbor’s fish and usually the favor gets repaid.
I hope these tips will help you catch more fish and make you a better angler by understanding how to read the river and adjust your gear accordingly. Cheers and happy fishing!
