That is the primary in a sequence of articles on fishing in Alaska. For the report, I’m a 50-year resident of Alaska. I got here right here as a younger man from Colorado in search of alternative and journey. Alaska didn’t disappoint.
I’m a ship captain, fish information, lodge proprietor, pilot, adventurer, former State Senator, and Pure Useful resource Supervisor for the State of Alaska. I grew up fishing in South Florida on the saltwater.
The Florida ocean was lovely, however I’m actually spoiled with a number of the most lovely fishing vistas on the planet. Beachfront condos of the SE Florida shoreline are not any match.
Right here’s an outline:
Treehouse Cove
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How A lot Water Is in Alaska?
Alaska has extra shoreline than the continental United States coasts mixed.
There are 34,000 miles of primarily wilderness shoreline in Alaska, and Alaska has over 12,000 rivers that finally feed into that ocean.
If the State of Alaska grew to become two equal-sized states, Texas could be the third-largest state within the USA. (Sorry, Texas pals, however you realize it’s true.)
The place To Fish?
Should you fished Alaska day by day, you continue to couldn’t discover all that Alaska has to supply. Nevertheless, Homer, Alaska, and the decrease Kenai Peninsula provide a few of Alaska’s most cost-effective (easy accessibility) and productive salt and freshwater fishing.
There’s an outdated saying: “You eat an elephant one chunk at a time.”
For the primary chunk of the proverbial elephant, this text will concentrate on Kachemak Bay Decrease Prepare dinner Inlet and the Gulf of Alaska Coast. AKA the “Halibut Capital of the World.” Homer, Alaska.
Homer and Seldovia provide a high-quality expertise with cheap accessibility and low value. On the way in which all the way down to Homer, the Kenai River nonetheless has sturdy runs of pink salmon, glorious rainbows, and silver salmon. Double up with a constitution in each locations and expertise some unforgettable world-class fishing.
Homer’s Fishing is Legendary
Located on the Kachemak Bay Archipelago, with gorgeous mountains and glaciers of the Kenai Vary to the south and three volcano peaks in view from throughout Prepare dinner Inlet to the west, few locations on the planet are extra lovely to fish.
They exist, however are primarily in different extra inaccessible and costly components of Alaska. I’ll get to a few of these unique spots in future articles.
Homer Is Well-known for the “Homer Spit”
A five-mile-long gravel bar that extends about midway throughout Kachemak Bay.
It has a really overcrowded harbor, house to many fish guides taking their shoppers out to pursue principally halibut and multi-species of salmon, rockfish, ling cod, and gray cod. We’ve all seen the photographs of large “barn door” dimension halibut.
Certainly, the Homer Chamber of Commerce hosts the annual “Homer Halibut Derby” to see who can catch the most important fish. It’s a must to purchase a ticket to win, so it’s nerve-wracking for many who reel in large fish if they didn’t buy a derby ticket.
That being stated, this conservationist asks that if you’re fortunate sufficient to catch a monster fish over 100 lbs, please rigorously take into account beforehand whether or not you’ll preserve it. The first purpose to take into account not preserving it is as a result of nearly all giant halibut over 100 lbs are feminine brood inventory. You kill 1000’s of child halibut when these brood fish are stored and never launched unhurt.
I’ve caught and eaten giant halibut, and the meat is poor in high quality, more durable than a younger fish, and dryer, and the feel just isn’t practically nearly as good. Some say it’s pet food high quality.
Massive Fish Pleasure
Nevertheless, boating a really giant halibut is REALLY enjoyable!
Even these lower than 100 lbs are an actual problem. We often harpoon and shoot them with a 22 caliber or 410 shotgun; sure we actually shoot them! (Whereas within the water.)
A big halibut, introduced into the boat violently flops round, probably hurting a crew member and or damaging the boat. I’ve heard tales of over-excited boat skippers truly capturing holes within the backside of their boats when attempting to snuff the struggle out of violent halibut.
I personally prefer to harpoon the massive ones and provides them a float, like they did within the film Jaws, with the shark. The halibut instantly rips the float out of the boat and dives for the deep. It’s a must to watch out to not have the road wrapped round your leg, or you may be dragged beneath too; they’re that highly effective!
There’s often a lot of splashing occurring both solution to get them aboard and subdued. All fish must be instantly bled to enhance their high quality. If one ties a line from their mouth to their tail, it is going to preserve them from going nuts in your boat.
They’ll seem subdued for a very long time, then out of the blue get the final burst of vitality and begin thrashing. It’s actually thrilling to boat a bunch of nice-sized halibut and the occasional large one. To handle expectations, most halibut boated are smaller fish, with the higher guides bringing in a number of good-sized keepers. It’s an funding in an extended boat trip to get on larger fish.
What To Count on
Attending to the halibut grounds out of Homer is already an extended boat trip, and the best-kept secret for a greater halibut expertise is to base your fishing out of the quaint village of Seldovia.
Seldovia is a historic little fishing village about 17 miles West of Homer. It’s being rediscovered as the place to go for higher fishing. That is about 1/2 solution to the nice halibut fishing grounds, so whenever you keep and fish out of Seldovia, you’re spending much less time touring and extra time fishing.
You’ve got extra alternatives to search out larger fish with much less journey time.
The Seldovia locals are pleasant, there are nice mountain climbing trails, plus some actually particular music and competition occasions deliberate all summer time. It has a number of good consuming institutions, like the enduring Lynwood Bar, and quite a lot of resort, B&B, and lodge lodging.
It has a brand new espresso store that roasts its personal beans, and a few say it’s one of the best espresso ever. I do know this, as a result of I just about hate espresso, and it doesn’t make me gag!
The Seldovia constitution fishing fleet is rising, as phrase is getting out that it’s the go-to place to fish. Plus, the costs are extra cheap in western Kachemak Bay than the outdated institution lodges nearer to Homer.
You possibly can’t beat the attraction and fantastic thing about Seldovia.
Focused multi-species in Prepare dinner Inlet/Kachemak Bay embrace king, sockeye, silver, chum and pink salmon, rockfish, ling cod, and gray cod.
Sockeye salmon typically don’t chunk within the salt however may be caught close to hatcheries and river inlets by snagging in salt water. Kings are the prized fish, however currently, the king return numbers have been actually poor, and catching one is getting tougher and tougher. Winter king fishing is definitely higher than spring fishing.
Silvers are usually later in the summertime, round August, and may present constantly enjoyable motion, as they’re aggressive eaters and fighters.
Pinks and friends are often considerable—enjoyable to catch however not one of the best desk fare for many Alaskan salmon snobs.
All have particular instances they migrate by numerous reaches of salt water in addition to after they go upriver to spawn. Verify together with your native information or the Division of Fish and Recreation earlier than planning your journey.
Ling cod season doesn’t open till July, as they’re spawning in spring and early summer time. They’re prized consuming fish.
Gray cod are considerable in Prepare dinner Inlet and are additionally a very good consuming fish. There’s no restrict for gray cod, and plenty of locals favor gray cod to halibut.
Halibut can be found just about all summer time till the climate cools in September, and the fish return into deeper water within the Gulf of Alaska. They chase the spawning herring and smolt.
Land of the Midnight Solar
At all times take into account the size of the daylight when planning a visit to Alaska.
The times are lengthy within the spring, beginning in early Could. By August, the times are getting shorter, and the climate is often getting a bit wetter with larger seas. The longest day of the yr is June 21. For a few month earlier than and after, it doesn’t get darkish at night time.
Associated learn: Alaska Dalton Freeway Journey Suggestions: For Adventurers and Adrenaline Junkies
Homer and Seldovia must be excessive in your shortlist for locations to fish.
My subsequent article will likely be about freshwater fishing on the Kenai Peninsula. The Kenai River is a superb place to strive, and plenty of make it a doubleheader, fishing each the Kenai and Homer salt. The Kenai is often accessed by driftboat guides. The reds begin to peak in early July. They’re glorious desk fare and Kenai Reds are very giant fish.
There are various different locations to fish in Alaska. Keep tuned for a sequence of articles on different areas to fish in Alaska. However for me personally, it’s Homer and Kachemak Bay, particularly Seldovia, as a result of it’s stunningly lovely. It is usually probably the most cost-effective areas to fish due to its easy accessibility.
There are not any roads to Seldovia and entry is simply by boat or airplane. It’s certainly one of few off-the-road system villages that also retains its outdated Alaska attraction.
Plus, Seldovia additionally permits you a large number extra time to have your line within the water than fishing out of Homer Harbor.
E-book an All-Inclusive Keep at Treehouse Cove
Expertise genuine Alaskan hospitality with an all-inclusive and unique keep at Treehouse Cove in Seldovia, probably the most secluded and historic cities in Alaska.
E-book your keep in both the Treehouse or Seaside Home, every providing a singular expertise. All meals is ready for you and each day excursions corresponding to fishing, kayaking or mountain climbing are included.
Your Journey Awaits!
Each single day right here presents you an opportunity to dive right into a world of thrilling excursions on this pristine Alaskan paradise. Whether or not you’re craving the adrenaline rush of offshore fishing, trying ahead to recognizing majestic whales, or can’t wait to paddle by these gorgeous waters in a kayak, the choices are countless and completely as much as you!
At Treehouse Cove, you’ve obtained some incredible choices!
You possibly can cozy up in a pleasant timber body cabin proper on the seashore at Seldovia Bay, or when you’re feeling a bit adventurous, why not deal with your self to an opulent treehouse subsequent to a waterfall? The views of the water and mountains are merely gorgeous!
