That is the primary in a collection of articles on fishing in Alaska. For the document, I’m a 50-year resident of Alaska. I got here right here as a younger man from Colorado searching for 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 earth. Beachfront condos of the SE Florida shoreline are not any match.
Right here’s an outline:
Treehouse Cove
Prepare to take in some real Alaskan hospitality at Treehouse Cove in Seldovia! This hidden gem is without doubt one of the most secluded and historic cities in Alaska, and it’s the proper spot for a memorable getaway.
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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 turned two equal-sized states, Texas can be the third-largest state within the USA. (Sorry, Texas buddies, however you understand it’s true.)
The place To Fish?
If you happen to fished Alaska each day, you continue to couldn’t discover all that Alaska has to supply. Nonetheless, Homer, Alaska, and the decrease Kenai Peninsula provide a few of Alaska’s most cost-effective (quick access) 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There’s an outdated saying: “You eat an elephant one chunk at a time.”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 deal with Kachemak Bay Decrease Cook 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 best way all the way down to Homer, the Kenai River nonetheless has robust runs of purple 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 beautiful mountains and glaciers of the Kenai Vary to the south and three volcano peaks in view from throughout Cook dinner Inlet to the west, few locations on the earth 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, residence to many fish guides taking their purchasers out to pursue largely halibut and multi-species of salmon, rockfish, ling cod, and gray cod. We’ve all seen the images of large “barn door” dimension halibut.
Certainly, the Homer Chamber of Commerce hosts the annual “Homer Halibut Derby” to see who can catch the largest fish. It’s important to purchase a ticket to win, so it’s nerve-wracking for many who reel in massive fish if they didn’t buy a derby ticket.
That being mentioned, this conservationist asks that if you’re fortunate sufficient to catch a monster fish over 100 lbs, please rigorously contemplate beforehand whether or not you’ll preserve it. The first motive to contemplate not holding it is as a result of nearly all massive halibut over 100 lbs are feminine brood inventory. You kill hundreds of child halibut when these brood fish are saved and never launched unhurt.
I’ve caught and eaten massive halibut, and the meat is poor in high quality, harder than a younger fish, and dryer, and the feel isn’t practically nearly as good. Some say it’s pet food high quality.
Huge Fish Pleasure
Nonetheless, boating a really massive halibut is REALLY enjoyable!
Even these lower than 100 lbs are an actual problem. We normally 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 really capturing holes within the backside of their boats when making an attempt to snuff the combat out of violent halibut.
I personally prefer to harpoon the large 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 important to watch out to not have the road wrapped round your leg, or you’ll be dragged underneath too; they’re that highly effective!
There’s normally a lot of splashing happening both option to get them aboard and subdued. All fish ought to be instantly bled to enhance their high quality. If one ties a line from their mouth to their tail, it’s going to preserve them from going nuts in your boat.
They’ll seem subdued for a very long time, then all of the sudden get the final burst of vitality and begin thrashing. It’s actually thrilling to boat a bunch of nice-sized halibut and the occasional massive one. To handle expectations, most halibut boated are smaller fish, with the higher guides bringing in a couple of good-sized keepers. It’s an funding in a protracted boat trip to get on greater fish.
What To Count on
Attending to the halibut grounds out of Homer is already a protracted 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 option to the nice halibut fishing grounds, so once you keep and fish out of Seldovia, you’re spending much less time touring and extra time fishing.
You could have extra alternatives to seek out greater fish with much less journey time.
The Seldovia locals are pleasant, there are nice mountaineering trails, plus some actually particular music and pageant occasions deliberate all summer season. It has a number of good consuming institutions, like the long-lasting 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 the very 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’ll be able to’t beat the allure and fantastic thing about Seldovia.
Focused multi-species in Cook 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 could be caught close to hatcheries and river inlets by snagging in salt water. Kings are the prized fish, however these days, the king return numbers have been actually poor, and catching one is getting more durable and more durable. Winter king fishing is definitely higher than spring fishing.
Silvers are typically later in the summertime, round August, and might present constantly enjoyable motion, as they’re aggressive eaters and fighters.
Pinks and friends are normally considerable—enjoyable to catch however not the very best desk fare for many Alaskan salmon snobs.
All have particular instances they migrate by way of varied reaches of salt water in addition to after they go upriver to spawn. Verify along with your native information or the Division of Fish and Sport earlier than planning your journey.
Ling cod season doesn’t open till July, as they’re spawning in spring and early summer season. They’re prized consuming fish.
Gray cod are considerable in Cook dinner Inlet and are additionally a extremely good consuming fish. There’s no restrict for gray cod, and lots of locals choose gray cod to halibut.
Halibut can be found just about all summer season 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 contemplate 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 normally getting a bit wetter with greater seas. The longest day of the 12 months 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 Ideas: For Adventurers and Adrenaline Junkies
Homer and Seldovia ought to be excessive in your shortlist for locations to fish.
My subsequent article might be about freshwater fishing on the Kenai Peninsula. The Kenai River is a superb place to attempt, and lots of make it a doubleheader, fishing each the Kenai and Homer salt. The Kenai is normally accessed by driftboat guides. The reds begin to peak in early July. They’re glorious desk fare and Kenai Reds are very massive fish.
There are various different locations to fish in Alaska. Keep tuned for a collection 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. Additionally it is one of the crucial cost-effective areas to fish due to its quick access.
There are not any roads to Seldovia and entry is simply by boat or airplane. It’s one among few off-the-road system villages that also retains its outdated Alaska allure.
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, one of the crucial secluded and historic cities in Alaska.
E-book your keep in both the Treehouse or Seashore Home, every providing a novel expertise. All meals is ready for you and day by day excursions akin to fishing, kayaking or mountaineering are included.
Your Journey Awaits!
Each single day right here gives 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, wanting ahead to recognizing majestic whales, or can’t wait to paddle by way of these beautiful waters in a kayak, the choices are infinite and completely as much as you!
At Treehouse Cove, you’ve obtained some unbelievable choices!
You’ll be able to cozy up in a pleasant timber body cabin proper on the seashore at Seldovia Bay, or in the event you’re feeling a bit adventurous, why not deal with your self to an expensive treehouse subsequent to a waterfall? The views of the water and mountains are merely beautiful!
