Tips in Fishing for Salmons in SE. Alaksa

Southern Southeast Alaska is known as one of the most bountiful areas with salmon and is ideal for fishing trips.

This is because of the extreme tides along the West Coast and the gush of ocean currents that create an environment ideal for the breeding of thousands of bait-fish.

It is also known as one of the the world's best spots to go if you're wanting to fish for a giant King Salmon, the largest of the six species of Pacific salmon.

The best way to catch one of these giant salmon (in saltwater) is through trolling or angling a bait line into the water.

Fishing for these giants can be a year round activity as the "white" or "Winter" King Salmon show up through the winter months.

The most sought after species of salmon are the following :

1. The King Salmon(Chinook) are the largest of all the salmon species. Its weight can average between 20-40 pounds, the heaviest on record is 112 pounds, and can be as long as 3-4". It has a blue-green back that is lightly spotted. The average life span of a King Salmon is about 5-7 year. Their flesh can range from an ivory white to a deep red.

There are several nicknames for the Chinook Salmon and they are: King, tyee, springs and tule.

2. Silver Salmon(Coho) are a smaller salmon that weigh in at between 8-12 pounds. This specie prefers to spawn in the smaller streams between July and November.

3.Sockeye Salmon on the other hand are the most sought after of the entire species because the flesh has such deep red color and a firm rich taste.

When fishing for salmon in SE. Alaska, be sure that your well equipped, have the right equipment and dress appropriately.

Listed below are some of the things should have with you.

1. You should dress in layers of warm clothes . Try not to make them to bulky, as this could hinder your fishing activities.

2. Over these everyday clothes, wear some type of waterproof overall and a jacket. A good pair of waterproof boots would not hurt. By staying dry you will enjoy yourself much more.

3. When visiting SE. Alaska most the lodges and charter boat operators supply all you need to catch that SE. Alaska salmon.

So, what are you waiting for? The fishing is about to get really good.

See Ya On The Water, K-townking

Derby Update

With the last weekend of the 62 Ketchikan King Salmon Derby just 3 days away, the leader didn't change last weekend, it's still Mark Tollfeldt with his 44lbs. King, caught in a 16' skiff off of Mt. Point. Now,I know Mark and I know he has his fingers crossed and is hoping his fish will hold on to win. He also knows that several 1st week leaders have bit the dust in the final hours of the Derby. I wish him the best of luck, because he might need it, but I don't think so.
Here are the top 15 on the Leader Board listed below. Go out and see if you can put your name on the board and win something special. See Ya on the water; K-townking

May 25 #0601 (Mark Tollfeldt) May 25 #0482 (Tim Eide) May 23 #0419 (Charles T. Denny) May 31 #0515 (Shannon Farstad) May 31 #0489 (Chris Lervick) May 23 #0056 (Gary Zaugg) May 31 #0494 (Donna Frank ) May 25 #1051 (Brett White) May 25 #0211 (Dale King) May 31 #0298 (Daniel McKelvy) May 31 #0307 (Mark Hoyt) May 30 #0402 (Clyde Campbell IV) May 25 #0076 (Floyd Kracke)

FIRST SHIP CALLS

The first ship of the season arrived yesterday morning and brought about 1,400 passengers to visit K-town and they were welcomed with a fairly nice day. The sun was out and the temperature was in the low 50's. There was a good breeze, so it felt more like 40, but for this time of year we'll take it over rain and blowing.

Now, that the season is going and your planning your trip to K-town, let me answer the question that I hear most often when people approach me looking for things to do while in K-town. That would be "What is there to see and do in Ketchikan ?" Now, no matter how many times I hear this, it just baffles me. There is soooooooo.. much to see and do, that I have a hard time deciding where to start. Depending on how much time you have, it differs from ship to ship,but most port calls in K-town are between 6 and 8 hrs, and what your budget is, the possibilities are endless. First, you must decide if you would like to take a tour of the area, or if you just want to see it on your own. Do you want to try and see wildlife, visit the Totem parks, go flightseeing, and on and on. The very best place to start is by visiting the Ketchikan Visitors Bureau. In there are several different tour operators, from sightseeing tours,flightseeing, kayaking, to fishing charters to the horse drawn trolley. You can rent a car and see K-town on your own also, the real adventurous can take a tour on a Harley-Davidson.
This is just the tip of the iceberg, so to speak, you can spend your time doing and seeing all that Ketchikan has to offer, or you can do a little and spend your time meeting the locals at one of the the few watering holes in the downtown area. I always suggest the Sourdough Bar, not because of the fine company there(Larry and the crew will treat you well and their fun), but because of the collection of ship wreck photos that Larry has accumulated over the years. It's said that it is the largest on the west coast.
Now here is my list of things that I recommend that you should do when in K-town:
1. Take a tour, whether it's by bus, van, or taxi, DO IT!! Most of the tours are about 1 1/2 - 2 hours long by bus or van or by taxi. Taxi tours are recommended for quick and informative town tours, half hour covers most of the highlights and then you can decide what to spend the remainder of you time doing. Most of the drivers live here year round and most are very informative and knowledgeable of the K-town area.

2. Ketchikan Historical Museum, always something interesting about K-town

3. Totem Heritage Center, 31 pieces of Totem Poles and original Totems from surrounding areas.

4. The Discovery Center. Ran by the US Forest Service details the Tongass National Forest,
which happens to be the largest National Forest in the U.S.

5. Visit the many Native galleries. This is very inspiring and will give insight to the 3 Native
Tribes that have been at home in K-town for centuries.

6. GO and DO SOMETHING FUN!!!

Well, that's enough for now, it's nice and warm, so I'm going to go for a putt. See Ya in the Wind;K-townking

The Herring Egg Rain Came

Today felt a little more like Spring around Ketchikan. After yesterdays storm, man it blew like a banshie, today was fairly tolerable. It was good to have the rain, as it washed most of the snow away. Granted, it was still on the cool side,but the sun did peek from behind the clouds enough to make me brake out the ol' sunglasses. It's the time of year when those who enjoy hooligans are biding their time, waiting for the first boat to hit the decks. People just go nuts about getting their share of these oily little fish. A boat can sell out in no time, so you'd best be johnny on the spot. They fry'em, smoke'em and the Natives make a foul smelling grease form them and some folks still use them as candles. They put it on any and everything, the grease that is. I myself can't get pass the smell. Along with the hooligans also comes the herring. They come to spawn in the area and many folks gather the eggs. Some gather them on branches or on kelp. The Japanese pay big bucks for herring eggs on kelp. The eggs are very small and delicate. At this time of year we receive showers of hail the size of herring eggs, the older fisherman and locals call them Herring Egg Rains. Just one of many signs of Spring in Southeast Alaska. I can't wait to get some of those eggs on branches, boy, my mouth is watering just thinking about them. Till next time: K-townking