After our halibut charter days 3 and 4 were spent at the Kenai and Russian River confluence, same spot as our first day in Alaska. The first day was opening day for the Sockeye Salmon season, days 3 and 4 were the first weekend of the season…….. oh what a difference. It was my first experience at “combat” fishing and I wasn’t mentally prepared for it. The first of the 2 days we spent the first 2 hours in line for parking, ok still plenty of time to fish, but the fishing “grounds” were packed. I had some trouble with “move your feet, lose your seat” and the “ I’ll just squeeze in here” mentality, but that’s combat fishing. There were many that would slip into your spot until you landed the fish and were ready to come back in, more of a tag team approach. We finally landed some spots of our own and developed a tag team approach that kept the spots ours between us.
The fishing started spotty then it was game on with run after run of salmon schools, everyone hooking up, fish screaming up and down the river, netting them was like trying to heard cats! At the days end we all had limits of 3 each after 4 hours of fishing and about 3 hours of waiting (including the 2 to get in). Did I mention the 3/4 or so mile hike in and then back out all geared up then with fish?
Day 4 we decided to get there early, no wait to enter and park, gear up, hike in, and slip into our spot when an opening presented itself. We tagged team in and out of the spots, but less for catching fish then tired of the continuous casting/flipping of our floss flies. We did end up with a total of 7 fish, far short of the new limit of 6 each, what a difference a day made. Was a beautiful day though, 65 degrees and sunshine, with minimal bugs.
Now its off to Petersburg for King Salmon and more/new adventures.
Welcome to “combat” fishing…….
A view in the other direction
Geared up and ready to hike in
Nice rainbow that Joe H caught
Night sky at 11:30 PM……..
Dividing the filets to pack for our flight to Petersburg, this is 1/2 of the Salmon
Dividing the halibut, also 1/2 of the catch. Ended with about 40 Lbs total fish each, 50/50 salmon/halibut.
saw1
Loc: nor cal Windsor
40GRIT wrote:
After our halibut charter days 3 and 4 were spent at the Kenai and Russian River confluence, same spot as our first day in Alaska. The first day was opening day for the Sockeye Salmon season, days 3 and 4 were the first weekend of the season…….. oh what a difference. It was my first experience at “combat” fishing and I wasn’t mentally prepared for it. The first of the 2 days we spent the first 2 hours in line for parking, ok still plenty of time to fish, but the fishing “grounds” were packed. I had some trouble with “move your feet, lose your seat” and the “ I’ll just squeeze in here” mentality, but that’s combat fishing. There were many that would slip into your spot until you landed the fish and were ready to come back in, more of a tag team approach. We finally landed some spots of our own and developed a tag team approach that kept the spots ours between us.
The fishing started spotty then it was game on with run after run of salmon schools, everyone hooking up, fish screaming up and down the river, netting them was like trying to heard cats! At the days end we all had limits of 3 each after 4 hours of fishing and about 3 hours of waiting (including the 2 to get in). Did I mention the 3/4 or so mile hike in and then back out all geared up then with fish?
Day 4 we decided to get there early, no wait to enter and park, gear up, hike in, and slip into our spot when an opening presented itself. We tagged team in and out of the spots, but less for catching fish then tired of the continuous casting/flipping of our floss flies. We did end up with a total of 7 fish, far short of the new limit of 6 each, what a difference a day made. Was a beautiful day though, 65 degrees and sunshine, with minimal bugs.
Now its off to Petersburg for King Salmon and more/new adventures.
After our halibut charter days 3 and 4 were spent ... (
show quote)
Wow Denny. I stopped combat fishin years ago. Last time was around 2000 or 2001 over on the Feather River. The guy I was fishin next to on my left got into an argument with the guy on my right and he pulled his fillet knife out. I Backed up out of the way and left. Never went back there to fish again.
Y'all sure have been stockin up on the fish and the memories.
Thanks for all the pics and the time it takes to post. We all appreciate it.
Hope y'all continue to have favorable weather and catch LOTS more fish. Take care brother.
flyguy
Loc: Lake Onalaska, Sunfish Capitol of the World!
saw1 wrote:
Wow Denny. I stopped combat fishin years ago. Last time was around 2000 or 2001 over on the Feather River. The guy I was fishin next to on my left got into an argument with the guy on my right and he pulled his fillet knife out. I Backed up out of the way and left. Never went back there to fish again.
Y'all sure have been stockin up on the fish and the memories.
Thanks for all the pics and the time it takes to post. We all appreciate it.
Hope y'all continue to have favorable weather and catch LOTS more fish. Take care brother.
Wow Denny. I stopped combat fishin years ago. Last... (
show quote)
Oh that is great, 40, Keep the reports and pictures coming, please, we love them, buddy.
Great looking spot, and catches, but not interested in combat fishing, thanks!
40GRIT wrote:
After our halibut charter days 3 and 4 were spent at the Kenai and Russian River confluence, same spot as our first day in Alaska. The first day was opening day for the Sockeye Salmon season, days 3 and 4 were the first weekend of the season…….. oh what a difference. It was my first experience at “combat” fishing and I wasn’t mentally prepared for it. The first of the 2 days we spent the first 2 hours in line for parking, ok still plenty of time to fish, but the fishing “grounds” were packed. I had some trouble with “move your feet, lose your seat” and the “ I’ll just squeeze in here” mentality, but that’s combat fishing. There were many that would slip into your spot until you landed the fish and were ready to come back in, more of a tag team approach. We finally landed some spots of our own and developed a tag team approach that kept the spots ours between us.
The fishing started spotty then it was game on with run after run of salmon schools, everyone hooking up, fish screaming up and down the river, netting them was like trying to heard cats! At the days end we all had limits of 3 each after 4 hours of fishing and about 3 hours of waiting (including the 2 to get in). Did I mention the 3/4 or so mile hike in and then back out all geared up then with fish?
Day 4 we decided to get there early, no wait to enter and park, gear up, hike in, and slip into our spot when an opening presented itself. We tagged team in and out of the spots, but less for catching fish then tired of the continuous casting/flipping of our floss flies. We did end up with a total of 7 fish, far short of the new limit of 6 each, what a difference a day made. Was a beautiful day though, 65 degrees and sunshine, with minimal bugs.
Now its off to Petersburg for King Salmon and more/new adventures.
After our halibut charter days 3 and 4 were spent ... (
show quote)
Awesome pictures Denny! I was never a river guy, so I've seen and watched crowds like that, but never participated. You guys are living a dream, thanks for sharing.
DCGravity
Loc: Fairfax, VA (by way of Cleveland OH)
40GRIT wrote:
After our halibut charter days 3 and 4 were spent at the Kenai and Russian River confluence, same spot as our first day in Alaska. The first day was opening day for the Sockeye Salmon season, days 3 and 4 were the first weekend of the season…….. oh what a difference. It was my first experience at “combat” fishing and I wasn’t mentally prepared for it. The first of the 2 days we spent the first 2 hours in line for parking, ok still plenty of time to fish, but the fishing “grounds” were packed. I had some trouble with “move your feet, lose your seat” and the “ I’ll just squeeze in here” mentality, but that’s combat fishing. There were many that would slip into your spot until you landed the fish and were ready to come back in, more of a tag team approach. We finally landed some spots of our own and developed a tag team approach that kept the spots ours between us.
The fishing started spotty then it was game on with run after run of salmon schools, everyone hooking up, fish screaming up and down the river, netting them was like trying to heard cats! At the days end we all had limits of 3 each after 4 hours of fishing and about 3 hours of waiting (including the 2 to get in). Did I mention the 3/4 or so mile hike in and then back out all geared up then with fish?
Day 4 we decided to get there early, no wait to enter and park, gear up, hike in, and slip into our spot when an opening presented itself. We tagged team in and out of the spots, but less for catching fish then tired of the continuous casting/flipping of our floss flies. We did end up with a total of 7 fish, far short of the new limit of 6 each, what a difference a day made. Was a beautiful day though, 65 degrees and sunshine, with minimal bugs.
Now its off to Petersburg for King Salmon and more/new adventures.
After our halibut charter days 3 and 4 were spent ... (
show quote)
Wow, what an incredible experience! Thank you for sharing and posting pix of your adventure!
40GRIT wrote:
After our halibut charter days 3 and 4 were spent at the Kenai and Russian River confluence, same spot as our first day in Alaska. The first day was opening day for the Sockeye Salmon season, days 3 and 4 were the first weekend of the season…….. oh what a difference. It was my first experience at “combat” fishing and I wasn’t mentally prepared for it. The first of the 2 days we spent the first 2 hours in line for parking, ok still plenty of time to fish, but the fishing “grounds” were packed. I had some trouble with “move your feet, lose your seat” and the “ I’ll just squeeze in here” mentality, but that’s combat fishing. There were many that would slip into your spot until you landed the fish and were ready to come back in, more of a tag team approach. We finally landed some spots of our own and developed a tag team approach that kept the spots ours between us.
The fishing started spotty then it was game on with run after run of salmon schools, everyone hooking up, fish screaming up and down the river, netting them was like trying to heard cats! At the days end we all had limits of 3 each after 4 hours of fishing and about 3 hours of waiting (including the 2 to get in). Did I mention the 3/4 or so mile hike in and then back out all geared up then with fish?
Day 4 we decided to get there early, no wait to enter and park, gear up, hike in, and slip into our spot when an opening presented itself. We tagged team in and out of the spots, but less for catching fish then tired of the continuous casting/flipping of our floss flies. We did end up with a total of 7 fish, far short of the new limit of 6 each, what a difference a day made. Was a beautiful day though, 65 degrees and sunshine, with minimal bugs.
Now its off to Petersburg for King Salmon and more/new adventures.
After our halibut charter days 3 and 4 were spent ... (
show quote)
Great post 40D! Wow I couldn’t participate in combat fishing, but I do understand why some do! You guys will have plenty of fish for family and friends, enjoy the rest of your adventure!! Good luck and be safe
40GRIT wrote:
After our halibut charter days 3 and 4 were spent at the Kenai and Russian River confluence, same spot as our first day in Alaska. The first day was opening day for the Sockeye Salmon season, days 3 and 4 were the first weekend of the season…….. oh what a difference. It was my first experience at “combat” fishing and I wasn’t mentally prepared for it. The first of the 2 days we spent the first 2 hours in line for parking, ok still plenty of time to fish, but the fishing “grounds” were packed. I had some trouble with “move your feet, lose your seat” and the “ I’ll just squeeze in here” mentality, but that’s combat fishing. There were many that would slip into your spot until you landed the fish and were ready to come back in, more of a tag team approach. We finally landed some spots of our own and developed a tag team approach that kept the spots ours between us.
The fishing started spotty then it was game on with run after run of salmon schools, everyone hooking up, fish screaming up and down the river, netting them was like trying to heard cats! At the days end we all had limits of 3 each after 4 hours of fishing and about 3 hours of waiting (including the 2 to get in). Did I mention the 3/4 or so mile hike in and then back out all geared up then with fish?
Day 4 we decided to get there early, no wait to enter and park, gear up, hike in, and slip into our spot when an opening presented itself. We tagged team in and out of the spots, but less for catching fish then tired of the continuous casting/flipping of our floss flies. We did end up with a total of 7 fish, far short of the new limit of 6 each, what a difference a day made. Was a beautiful day though, 65 degrees and sunshine, with minimal bugs.
Now its off to Petersburg for King Salmon and more/new adventures.
After our halibut charter days 3 and 4 were spent ... (
show quote)
Beautiful photos and narrative Denny !👍🤙 Man do those packaged Fish look Great 🤙 Halibut Steaks are making me drool !!😋 Thanks for sharing Buddy , Good Luck & stay safe Denny 🤙🤙
Gordon
Loc: Charleston South Carolina
40GRIT wrote:
After our halibut charter days 3 and 4 were spent at the Kenai and Russian River confluence, same spot as our first day in Alaska. The first day was opening day for the Sockeye Salmon season, days 3 and 4 were the first weekend of the season…….. oh what a difference. It was my first experience at “combat” fishing and I wasn’t mentally prepared for it. The first of the 2 days we spent the first 2 hours in line for parking, ok still plenty of time to fish, but the fishing “grounds” were packed. I had some trouble with “move your feet, lose your seat” and the “ I’ll just squeeze in here” mentality, but that’s combat fishing. There were many that would slip into your spot until you landed the fish and were ready to come back in, more of a tag team approach. We finally landed some spots of our own and developed a tag team approach that kept the spots ours between us.
The fishing started spotty then it was game on with run after run of salmon schools, everyone hooking up, fish screaming up and down the river, netting them was like trying to heard cats! At the days end we all had limits of 3 each after 4 hours of fishing and about 3 hours of waiting (including the 2 to get in). Did I mention the 3/4 or so mile hike in and then back out all geared up then with fish?
Day 4 we decided to get there early, no wait to enter and park, gear up, hike in, and slip into our spot when an opening presented itself. We tagged team in and out of the spots, but less for catching fish then tired of the continuous casting/flipping of our floss flies. We did end up with a total of 7 fish, far short of the new limit of 6 each, what a difference a day made. Was a beautiful day though, 65 degrees and sunshine, with minimal bugs.
Now its off to Petersburg for King Salmon and more/new adventures.
After our halibut charter days 3 and 4 were spent ... (
show quote)
Great post Denny. The pictures are awesome also. So why do you say 1/2 the catch? Where is the other 1/2 at? Just saying.
Absolutely spectacular 40Grit! This may sound odd to say, but sometimes a little "combat fishing" helps us to appreciate the times that we are able to find solitude on the river too! No matter what, you guys are making some fantastic memories and enjoying marvelous life experiences! Keep it up!
40GRIT wrote:
After our halibut charter days 3 and 4 were spent at the Kenai and Russian River confluence, same spot as our first day in Alaska. The first day was opening day for the Sockeye Salmon season, days 3 and 4 were the first weekend of the season…….. oh what a difference. It was my first experience at “combat” fishing and I wasn’t mentally prepared for it. The first of the 2 days we spent the first 2 hours in line for parking, ok still plenty of time to fish, but the fishing “grounds” were packed. I had some trouble with “move your feet, lose your seat” and the “ I’ll just squeeze in here” mentality, but that’s combat fishing. There were many that would slip into your spot until you landed the fish and were ready to come back in, more of a tag team approach. We finally landed some spots of our own and developed a tag team approach that kept the spots ours between us.
The fishing started spotty then it was game on with run after run of salmon schools, everyone hooking up, fish screaming up and down the river, netting them was like trying to heard cats! At the days end we all had limits of 3 each after 4 hours of fishing and about 3 hours of waiting (including the 2 to get in). Did I mention the 3/4 or so mile hike in and then back out all geared up then with fish?
Day 4 we decided to get there early, no wait to enter and park, gear up, hike in, and slip into our spot when an opening presented itself. We tagged team in and out of the spots, but less for catching fish then tired of the continuous casting/flipping of our floss flies. We did end up with a total of 7 fish, far short of the new limit of 6 each, what a difference a day made. Was a beautiful day though, 65 degrees and sunshine, with minimal bugs.
Now its off to Petersburg for King Salmon and more/new adventures.
After our halibut charter days 3 and 4 were spent ... (
show quote)
Awesome 40G D. Byrd Creek not far out of Anchorage was a place we did Combat Fishing. It was a completely different trip than your on. I was up there to assist in running heavy equipment and doing concrete work in trade for fishing licenses free sleeping quarters and food etc.
Byrd Creek has a huge tidal change. The water would be 20-50’ deep and in 4-5 hours 1’ deep. When full had hundreds of people throwing metal lures. When low had 20 or so fly fisherman and fishin ladies. The keep were the same fish.
Thanks for all the great pictures and information.
Gordon wrote:
Great post Denny. The pictures are awesome also. So why do you say 1/2 the catch? Where is the other 1/2 at? Just saying.
We loaded that counter once more with all halibut and again with all salmon.
Gordon
Loc: Charleston South Carolina
40GRIT wrote:
We loaded that counter once more with all halibut and again with all salmon.
Good. I was hopeing you didn't have to slit it with the guides.
saw1 wrote:
Wow Denny. I stopped combat fishin years ago. Last time was around 2000 or 2001 over on the Feather River. The guy I was fishin next to on my left got into an argument with the guy on my right and he pulled his fillet knife out. I Backed up out of the way and left. Never went back there to fish again.
Y'all sure have been stockin up on the fish and the memories.
Thanks for all the pics and the time it takes to post. We all appreciate it.
Hope y'all continue to have favorable weather and catch LOTS more fish. Take care brother.
Wow Denny. I stopped combat fishin years ago. Last... (
show quote)
I hear ya brother, not a fan myself. Thanks for the good fishing wishes! Kings are next!!
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