March - Baja, Mexico | May - Float Tubing | June - Brooks River | July - Tangle River | July - Flyfishing School | August - Nome | August - Talachulitna River | September - Cordova Coho
Other Years' Fishing Reports: 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | 1997 | 1996
by Pudge Kleinkauf
Marauding marlin made 2003's Mexico trip something really special! Sometimes we'd be treated to sightings of fins slicing the surface of the water or tails sticking up while the fish rested. Then, a bright, shiny big-eyed fly with lots of flash would prove just the ticket for a slashing strike. Just as often the fish would catch us completely by surprise, appearing out of nowhere to slam our offering. It was saltwater fly fishing at its most exciting.
All together the two groups brought three fly-caught marlin to the boat. Another seven or eight were either lost during the fight or never solidly hooked. On several other occasions we threw the boat into high gear and raced toward a visible fin, slowing to troll in circles but unsuccessfully attempting to entice the fish into coming for our flies. One afternoon Stephanie and Allison even had simultaneous strikes by two marlin at exactly the same moment-something our guide, Jeff, said he'd never heard of, let alone ever seen. It was incredible! Stephanie's fish launched itself skyward with twists and turns only marlin seem able to achieve. We'd all seen the disturbance in the water when the fish hit, but what we didn't realize at first is that there were two fish. Alison's fish didn't jump right away, so, for a few minutes, we had no idea that it was another marlin. Then, just as Stephanie's fish came un-buttoned, the bill on Allison's fish thrust from the water attached to a very large silvery body. Our captain did a great job of backing down on the fish just enough to help Allison stay hooked-up, but even so it was a protracted battle. A 12-wt rod gave her leverage against the repeated runs, and even when she finally got the fish up to the boat, it took both the deck-hand and the captain to bring it on-board for pictures. "A hundred-fifty-pounder," the captain declared, a great fish by anyone's standards. That same day Alison had landed a 30+ bull dorado that had put her arm and her rod to the test. It was just one of many that the groups had during the trip. On one occasion, a small school of other fish clustered around the hooked one, giving us several chances to cast. |
Several afternoons we spent trolling amidst thousands of dolphin, which are known to school-up with the tuna. Although we could see feeding tuna on the surface, we had just minimal success in connecting with them. That is until one afternoon when the fish goddess was with us.
We came upon a group of dolphin with just a few other boats around and suddenly all three rods were hooked up. Over the next two hours that happened over and over and over again. Nine tuna over 20 pounds came to the boat. Several smaller ones did as well. There's no telling how much some of the ones we hooked and lost had weighed. While one boat would be onto the tuna, the other would report that fishing for the jack cravelle was hot. One feeding frenzy provided us with a perfect opportunity for lots of hook-ups. One of the boats also came upon a school of sierra mackrel, and thanks to their efforts, we all enjoyed fresh sierra ceviche with our margaritas on the deck before dinner. On the last day, a couple of our especially lucky anglers fishing close in-shore managed to land five of the elusive rooster fish! And, if that weren't enough they also got a dorado, skipjack tuna, and some jack cravalle. What an end to their trip!
It was a fantastic trip with great margaritas, great food, a fun side-trip into the village, and an impromptu ping-pong tournament and, thanks to Allison, some great kite-flying on the beach. Next year's dates are set, so start planning now to go along. You can join us either March 22-28 or March 27-April 2, 2004. Don't procrastinate another year. You're missing all the fun!!!!
Pudge |
The wind made it difficult to fish either from the boats or the beach one particular day, so we took the 4-wheelers and headed up to the mountains behind the village. Our echo-tour provided the opportunity to view a veritable forest of elephant trees, cactus, and giant-rooted ficus trees as well as an iguana and some sunbathing lizards. Cardinals and several other bird species entertained us with their songs as we explored a natural springs hidden up one special arroyo.
by Pudge Kleinkauf
Spring tubing in 2003 was certainly different. Skies were clear and it was quite warm, but the wind just wouldn't leave us alone.
The very early ice-out this year on the lakes, coupled with some record-setting 80 degree days had the fish all confused. Their usual spring pattern of hanging out in the shallows, where we can spot them easily right near the shore, was over in a matter of just days instead of the usual weeks. As a result, we didn't get to sight-cast to them with floating lines and nymphs as we usually do. Instead, success came with trolling leeches and woolly buggers. Each time the wind would die down for a bit, rises would dot the lake surface and we'd quickly change lines and flies and go for some top-side fishing. Midges covered the lake surface and a number of Bonaparte gulls swam around feasting on them. The fish, however, chose to be more discriminating. For a time, size 12 or 14 caddis emergers or even dries would take some fish, but that never lasted long. There just wasn't that much of a hatch, thanks to the returning wind. By afternoon, mayfly emergers or parachute Adams would produce briefly during wind-less periods. Those opportunities were also quickly over as well. Although we saw a few large stoneflies in the air, neither emergers nor dries of that species produced at all. So, reluctantly, we'd revert to trolling. The fish we caught were gorgeous, fifteen-eighteen inchers, however. A few still sported the dark body and flaming gill-plates of spawning fish. Most were dime-bright and feisty as could be. A very large leech, stuck to a wading boot, afforded us a great example of what the fish were after. The second week-end we had more luck. The wind plagued us on Friday, but Saturday was beautiful and calm most of the day. Marge hooked up first, quietly playing her fish like an expert. The rest of us didn't even realize she even had a fish on until it jumped. Her first fish on a fly rod, proved to be everything she had hoped for. Lots of fight and lots of jumps. |
We had success with both mayfly emergers and the old stand-by gold-ribbed hare's ear nymph. A small split shot sunk the nymphs about five or six feet deep. Then, as the women would slowly draw the fly to the surface a fish would slam it. We finally got a picture of one of Jane and Lennie's doubles. Maggie, fishing a ways off, got in some good practice in netting her fish from the tube.
During one period in the afternoon, when the light was just right, we could see dozens of fat, glistening rainbows darting this way and that just a foot or two under the surface chasing mayflies that were headed up toward the surface of the water. "Imitating that action is what is getting us fish," someone declared.
The next morning was calm, but the water was murky as the result of the all-night rain. We pushed out in the tubes early, hoping to score before the wind picked up again. The fish, however, had other ideas. So did the bugs. They just never appeared. Not many fish for us that morning. Although this spring's tubing was completely different from our usual trips, we still had a great time. They learned some new techniques, tried some different flies, got a great view of Mt McKinley across the lake and watched a pair of snow-white swans serenely courting nearby. What more could you ask? Join us next year and we'll see what surprises await us then.
Pudge |
We headed in to town that night for a celebratory glass of wine and a good dinner, but just as we sat down in the restaurant the wind whipped up and big fat raindrops splattered on the windows. "Glad we have a cozy cabin to go home to tonight," they agreed.
by Pudge Kleinkauf
We arrived at Brooks Lodge to the news that absolutely no sockeye salmon had been seen or caught in the river. "How can you be sure?" one member of the group asked. "There's no fish in the freezer," the lodge staff replied.
At Brooks a sockeye that is retained must be immediately put into a regulation plastic bag and put in the lodge freezer. The best way to tell the strength of the run of fish is to simply check the freezer several times a day. Although a couple members of the group worried that such news meant that we wouldn't be fishing for salmon. I told them to keep their hopes up as the fish just might be late in arriving this year, and that we'd fish for them as soon as we saw or heard of any. In the meantime, there were lots of bears to watch and lots of rainbow trout to content us with. The rainbows had received a lot of pressure from anglers, and they were extremely wary of our flies. Even though we could see a couple dozen fish finning right in front of us, the hook-ups were few and far between for a time. Still, a stimulator did the trick one morning, with fish taking it consistently. High wind and sideways rain by afternoon didn't help much. Nor did extremely low water. It sure was nice to have a warm, cozy cabin to return to. The water was not only low but also significantly changed in its flow this year. Extremely low water and two weeks of severe fall storms had deposited so much sand on the beach at the outflow of the river that one of its channels had completely closed up. Exploring this new aspect of the river was an adventure for both us and the bears. Bear watching was great. A number of bears had already gathered at the river anticipating the arrival of the fish, and we spotted them along the water and at the famous Brooks Falls where they gather atop the cascading water to catch the jumping fish heading up-river to their spawning grounds. We'd been there about a week before we noticed the first of them beginning to explore the new outlet for fish. We devoted part of each day to sockeye fishing, and suddenly, there they were. The group's persistence resulted in their fish being the only sockeye in the freezer for two whole days!! Of course, other lodge guests, also checking the freezer, tried to pump us for the prescription for our success. |
By the time the second group arrived, both bears and sockeye were available in abundance. (The bears always seem to know when the fish have really arrived. Their ranks can double almost overnight.) Two sets of mothers with cubs were sighted in the tall grass and at the fishing spots. As soon as a male bear would appear, the protective mom would high-tail it out of the area with her cubs close behind. Still, one sow with a tiny black cub was unable to escape. The cub fell prey to a huge male that managed to get between it and its mother.
While that incident put something of a damper on our enthusiasm, we still delighted in seeing three courting pairs and several cantankerous juvenile bears at various points along the river each day. They'd appear "herding" fish as they swam downriver with hundreds of sleek, silvery bodies leaping out of the water in front of them. Or, they'd wade into a huge pod of fish that was holding up-river of the bridge that crosses the lower river, pouncing on them like a cat upon a mouse. People on the observation platforms would cheer each time a bear was successful. Naturally, we'd also cheer each other when we were successful. The bears' fish were quickly devoured, but ours began to make a nice pile in the freezer.
Our friends The Hairy Dogs from California were also at the lodge the same time we were. They traded flies, gave us fish reports, and serenaded us with bagpipe music one evening over drinks in the lodge. We've come to look forward to seeing them during our stay. All in all, it was another super year! When the sockeye finally came in, there were thousands of them. The weather finally improved, and the bear watching couldn't be beat. Come along and see what next year brings.
Pudge |
One afternoon, a young female, being pursued by a persistent male, managed to catch a fish. Not sure whether he was going to grab her fish or her, she quickly took off up the path to the lodge with him in hot pursuit, the fish flapping in her jaws. Startled tourists coming up the path scattered like dry leaves in the wind as this bruin couple took over the area
by Pudge Kleinkauf
It was a strange year at Tangle Lakes. The water was quite low in one creek, but absolutely raging at a creek just 25 miles away. We had a real mix of weather, from hot and muggy, to cold and rainy. And, to top it all off, we had double flat tires on the same side of my van at exactly the same moment! (Don't know what the chances of that happening are. Do you?) In spite of all that, being the intrepid fly fishing women we are, we kept right on fishing.
Stressed by the low water, the grayling were often concentrated in small pools. Because they still took our flies quite eagerly, we were careful to only fish such pools for a short time and then move on so as not to stress them any more. It took some hiking and wading, but as we headed up-river at one creek we found willing fish behind a large boulder and hiding deep within some heavy current coming off a wide, rocky ledge. As usual, the fishing was with both dry flies and nymphs. The standby royal wulff took lots and lots of fish as did a variety of bead-head nymphs and tiny emergers. Casting a caddis emerger across and down and then letting it swim back across the river was surprisingly effective when nothing was rising, and our weighted nymphs didn't seem to interest the fish. Often the grayling were small, and repeated hits to a dry fly that did nothing but sink it, signaled that we were "in the nursery." Nevertheless, many of these fish managed to hook themselves. The fly often looked bigger than the head of the fish as we removed the hook for the release. |
But not all the fish were small. Diane caught a beautiful 14 ½ inch fish laying just downstream of a small seam among several smaller fish. Jeanette hooked one 12-14 incher after the other along a particularly productive bend before we moved on. And Velma, who was just learning to fly fish, had a field-day with a nymph and a split-shot one beautiful afternoon. She caught 9 fish that were 10 inches or over right in a row as her husband, Nick, sat on the bank and counted.
Driving to various creeks we saw lots of wildlife. The highlight of the second trip was sighting a pair of swans with six grey-white cygnets! We just couldn't get enough of watching them, quickly passing the binoculars back and forth so all could get a good look. They were gorgeous!!! It makes me happy to know that the wilderness habitat they need to raise their little ones still exists.
It was a great year in spite of everything. Tangle Lakes is so special, that we'd go back no matter what. Join us in July of 2004 to meet the grayling and see what other excitement awaits us!
Catch 'em and release 'em!
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A major storm drove us off the river one day. Heavy rain the night before had increased the water flow dramatically. We learned later that the rain we experience that day had turned to snow both north and west of where we were. Floods even closed the road beyond where we had been fishing.
by Pudge Kleinkauf
The eighth annual fly fishing school at the Talachulitna River's Talstar Lodge was a real winner. Plenty of fish, incomparable food, great weather, and a fun group. What more could you ask for?
The group gathered at Anchorage's float plane base at Lake Hood, and boarded the floatplanes eagerly. A scenic flight and an exciting landing on the broad stretch of the swift, glacial Squentna River known as the canyon (because of the huge rock cliffs that border the water) delivered them to the lodge boat awaiting their arrival. Adam and Karen, a couple also learning to fly fish, had spent four days on the "Tal" with us just before the large group arrived. They'd caught lots of pink and chum salmon as well as sockeye. Both sailors, they mastered the fly fishing knots faster than any students I've ever had! Their leaders were absolutely perfect. Adam even caught the first silver (coho) salmon of the season, and we had high hopes that the silvers were arriving. The group started right out with casting practice on the broad gravel bar right below the lodge. The fish hitting the red yarn that we were using for practice had everyone eager to put on real flies and get started. It didn't take long for some cooperative rainbow trout to join us for our first actual fishing session. Students quickly see that playing a fish on a fly rod is as different as casting with a fly rod. Although fish are usually lost in the process, that is part of the learning. Everyone quickly mastered setting the hook and then letting the line slide out so the fish could play. Some were even managing to utilize the "palming" technique on their reel for controlling a fish they had on. We headed back to the lodge and our first knot tying session late in the afternoon. Robert, the lodge's renowned chef, produced yummy crab-stuffed mushrooms as appetizers with our wine as we worked, and everyone seemed to master the nail knot and the improved clinch knot in record time! We did blood knots the following afternoon, and they were on their way to becoming self-sufficient fly fishers. Typically we fish the river mouth early each morning during the school, but this year that proved impossible. The Squentna River was so high from all the glacier-melt that it pushed up into the "Tal," flooding the gravel bank we fish from So, we opted for fishing up-stream at a lovely tree-shaded run just chock-full of three kinds of salmon, and even a few dolly varden char.
Once on the island the catching began. Soon everyone learned to differentiate the small hump-backed pink salmon from the large red-striped, canine-toothed chum salmon, the silvery sockeye, and the occasional black-tailed coho. Debbie and Marlene hooked up with especially large chum salmon. Both the pinks and chums were much more cooperative than the sockeye, but not worth keeping. Finally, Chrys and Margo managed to land the more elusive sockeye and there were cheers all around. |
Afternoons are rainbow time on the "Tal." One afternoon we waded up-river to one of our favorite rainbow runs, and set to work. Jessica proved to be in just the right spot and hooked and played several nice fish. Then, the largest fish of the afternoon appeared. Demonstrating all the technique we'd been practicing, she patiently played it through a series of wicked jumps and wild runs. The caramel coloration declared it to be a treasured leopard rainbow. We could see it's sheen and it's brilliant scarlet stripe in the crystal clear water. Just at the very end, however, it decided not to cooperate any further, and a quick sideways slam of its great head freed it from the line.
Monumentally disappointed, Jessica still wanted to know how big I estimated the fish had been. About 24 or 25 inches I told her. While that added to her disappointment, she was proud of having caught and played it so perfectly. It was Sue that hooked into the big rainbow the next afternoon as we were having our dry-fly lesson on another stretch of the river. Several rainbow rose to our parachute Adams and elk-hair caddis flies, and the group also learned to see the rises out among the riffles. Learning when to set the hook on a fishes' take of a dry fly had resulted in several misses. A too-enthusiastic hook set technique left over from our morning salmon fishing efforts broke off other fish. Nevertheless, the group got quite good at landing their fly right where they'd seen a rise and achieving a dead-drift.
Sue set to work trying to place her dry fly exactly where that fish had risen. Just as she was getting discouraged, he took. The battle didn't last long, though, as Sue was so startled at her success that she didn't maintain enough tension on the line to keep the hook attached to the fish. Still, just having managed a perfect cast and hooked up a perfect fish was enough. It was the highlight of our afternoon. Even though the silver (coho) salmon that everyone wanted to catch were late this year, we did manage to catch a few of them the last day. Besides, after hooking and losing several sockeye Jessica finally got one to take home. And, that was in the last five minutes of the trip! What a way to end a fabulous adventure. Next year's fly fishing school is already planned and we're already booking students. The dates will be July 29-30-31 & August 1, 2004. Get in touch with us now and reserve your spot. It's time you learned to fly fish or to improve your skills, and there's no better place to do it than Alaska! Come and join us on the "Tal."
Pudge |
Getting to that spot provided great experience in utilizing the collapsible Folstaf wading sticks students must wear, however. A channel separated us from the island that we needed to cast from, so we carefully waded the deep water next to the bank to get there. The water wasn't swift, so it proved the perfect practice spot.
As several of the group were sitting and patiently repairing broken leaders, we all heard a great splash in mid-river. Thinking it was one of the spawning king salmon that the rainbows were following, we didn't pay much attention. But, when the same fish splashed again a few minutes later, the sun caught it's red lateral line, and we knew it was a very large rainbow.
by Pudge Kleinkauf
Folks often ask me how I can go back to the same area or the same river year after year without getting tired of it. It's impossible to tire of a place as scenic, historic, and fish-filled as the Nome area. Although each year we catch lots and lots of those incredibly gorgeous Arctic grayling, we also find different water conditions, different wildlife sightings, and more. This year was no exception.
It was a gloriously clear day on the drive to camp, and lots of animals came out to say hello. We started off with lots of different birds including a rough-legged hawk. High along the road we also saw movement on a nearby hill. As we stopped and scanned the area with binoculars we saw increasing numbers of reindeer grazing on the grasses and vegetation turning golden in the early fall sun. Several large bulls watched us intently, ready to flee at the slightest danger. A little farther along the road a lone musk-ox regally posed next to a tumbling creek. He was so close his unique forehead horns were clearly evident. We headed part way down the hill for better pictures and gobbled blueberries as we sat and watched. Finally, he'd had enough and disappeared into the willows. We quickly grabbed lunch when we arrived at camp and took off for the river. Just at the outlet of a small side creek, the grayling were waiting for us just as they are every year. A few red-bellied Dolly Varden char occupied the water as well just to give us some variety. The fly of choice to start with is nearly always the elk-hair caddis. For dry-fly fishing beginners, we choose a white-eared royal wulff or humpy or a white-posted parachute Adams for increased visibility. Once they can follow the fly along the water, the hook-ups typically come fast and furiously. In the absence of lots of riffles, grayling rises are generally quite noticeable on the surface of the water. These fish, measuring in the high teens, subsist primarily on insects and are not shy about pursuing them. A good imitation of a caddis or mayfly usually spells success. The iridescence and coloration of grayling are almost as famous as the unbelievably high dorsal fin. We find ourselves constantly calling to each other to come look at a beautiful aqua or golden specimen. The unique spot pattern appearing on the fish's side just behind the gill plate is another cause for inspection. Just as no two of our fingerprints are alike, neither are grayling's spot designs. A grayling's sail-like dorsal fin is its trademark identification, however. Standing high above it's back as it rises to a fly or comes to the shore at the end of our line, that fin is typically dotted and barred with a wide variety of colors. Some even have a rim of a different color along the top of the fin. Many are so large that they splits between the spines are clearly evident. One fish this year was so aqua that it seemed to have swallowed neon lights. It also had an orange bar topping its fin. |
Lots of fish with golden fins, tails, and gill plates joined the party this year. Biologists aren't sure exactly why some fish are very dark and some more golden. Speculation is that either their diet or the river habitat they are residing in causes the different coloration.
We ranged up river and down to both old haunts and new locations. One afternoon we fished a channel that had quite deep water on one side and riffled water moving into the main channel on the other. We took up positions on both sides and were immediately into fish. Again and again we measured, we admired, and we compared, never tiring of seeing yet another gorgeous fish. We landed several 20-inch fish and countless others just shy of that. Each and every one was released. Grayling are the slowest growing of all Alaska's sport fish and special care must be taken when handling them. They fight fiercely and can easily become overly tired. Proper catch and release techniques are essential to insuring their safe release. The weather mostly favored us. It was in the mid-20's a couple of mornings and we loaded up on clothes and warm gloves. By mid-morning, however, we were usually leaving layers on the bank while we fished.
I hated having to make that last cast of the trip this year. Departure time came all too quickly. The ride back to Nome was especially lovely with golden, bronze, red and blueberry blue coloring the mountainsides and the tundra. We wildlife-watched all the way back and this time spooked two owls eating a small rodent beside the road. Watching them fly up next to us was a real treat. As we neared Nome we also saw some large shapes just near the road. They proved to be a small band of musk-ox grazing on the tundra. Two young animals accompanied the adults and one insisted his mother stop so he could nurse. As we approached they quietly moved away. What a treat to see them!!!! Exploring gold rush Nome was on the agenda in the afternoon. Watching the gold mining along the beach, looking at the old dredges, and visiting the wonderful historic museum are all a rewarding part of a visit to this northwestern Alaska city. For 2004 our August 16-21 trip is already full, but we are also offering an August 22-26 trip. So, if you'd like to go along, don't wait, get in touch with us now for details.
Pudge |
by Pudge Kleinkauf
We went to the Talachulitna River in late August for rainbows, and that is exactly what we got!! The extra-special part, however, that almost all of them were the elusive leopard rainbows that this river is famous for. Leopard rainbows have a more caramel coloration than do "regular" rainbows, and in many cases appear to have a more blunt head and nose. They are truly special fish.
We started fishing right below the lodge where the group before us had been taking rainbows. We did fairly well there, but later moved down to a section of river where the chum salmon were spawning. The rainbows stayed close behind them awaiting the eggs that they knew would come their way. We hooked up a lot, but not always on fish. Lots of snags, washed down by recent high water, snatched as many of our flies as the fish did. We spent the next morning fishing for silver salmon. Even though it was raining, the river was in excellent condition and lots of silvers finned away in all the old familiar places. The Tal's silver run was winding down, so we landed a number of "tomatoes." Those are fish that are turning color as they get ready to spawn and die. Silvers develop a coppery-red body and dark head at that time. Although their flesh doesn't make for very good eating then, their acrobatics and dogged resistance make for great fly fishing so nobody complained. Several silvery "keepers" were in the bunch, too, so we had a great time. Wet and bedraggled, we warmed up and filled our stomachs with Robert the chef's fabulous, homemade soup and fat, turkey sandwiches. Of course, there were lots and lots of chocolate chip cookies as well. After a super-sized brunch it was up-river to the rainbows. Bonnie had ten hook-ups in the same spot in less than half-an-hour! Carolyn, set up in a run on the other side of the island we were fishing, did nearly as well in numbers. Much to her disappointment, however, she lost what would have been a 28-30 inch fish. Still, she played it beautifully from her solid hook-set, to skillfully letting it take line each time it wanted to run, to patiently and carefully reeling only when it rested. A true "one that got away"story.
It wasn't easy to head home for dinner, but once we returned to the Lodge, the teriyaki salmon, home-made rolls, and red current-drizzled bundt cake made it worthwhile. |
Morning brought silver fishing again, but his time with a welcome respite from the rain. The group had the "silver-thing" down now, and kept me busy running from angler to angler helping with releases, taking pictures, and, in the case of "keepers" doing the whacking that sent their prize to fish heaven. As usual, hot pink, chartreuse, and orange flies did the trick.
Afternoon was rainbow time again. It had continued raining and the water was considerably higher that the previous afternoon when we returned to the site of our earlier suggess. Still, the group knew exactly what kind of drift their pink bead required to interest the rainbows and exactly how to do it. This time is was Karen that hooked-up right away. She caught 9 fish in quick succession, all but one a lovely, leopard bow. The other one was a beautifully spotted Dolly varden char. Harriet also caught a char, a fish that she had always wanted to see. Like the rest of the group, she marveled at the dark pink spots, the lipstick colored lips, and the bright orange pectoral and caudal fins with their wide white bands.
We moved down a wonderful run that enabled everyone to catch several lovely bows. Brenda again managed to land the fish of the day. This one escaped before we could get a tape on it, but it was also in the 20-inch range. We had one more "go" at the silvers before we left. Higher water had made them more uncooperative, but four fish still hit a pink deer-hair polliwog dry fly that we submerged with five split-shot! Unbelievable! Finally, we had to pack the fish box with the silvers the group was taking home and head to the plane. Of course, it had stopped raining by then. The float plane flight back to Anchorage was breathtaking with the trees starting to turn color and six or seven sightings of swans in the ponds below. Sorry you missed it all?? Want to go along next time?? Well, in 2004 the Talstar Lodge Rainbow Heaven trip is scheduled for August 29th - September 1. So, if you'd like to go along, don't wait, reserve your spot now!
Pudge |
In another section, Brenda, a skilled nymph and dry fly fisher was working to master the high stick "plunk and drift" technique that takes rainbows that are after salmon eggs. Finally, she hooked into a beauty. Using the strong current against her, the fish took its own sweet time in letting itself be coaxed into the bank. A fabulous 25-inch leopard, it then posed quietly for some great pictures.
Neither Bonnie's nor Carolyn' "hot spot" from the day before produced much, but other locations did. Several hook-ups didn't succeed because fish were taking the bead differently in the high water and the group needed to set the hook more firmly.
by Pudge Kleinkauf
You missed it! The best weather Cordova has seen in several years, the best silver (coho) fishing we've had this season, and the best seaside lodging Alaska has to offer. We sure did miss having you with us, but maybe after reading this report you'll get busy and book to go with us next year.
The first day saw us hooking some ten-pound-plus silvers on a variety of bright, sparkly orange and white flies just before the bear appeared to let us know that the two side-by side creek-mouths we were fishing were HIS territory and not ours. Hey, we didn't argue with him and gave ground with no hesitation. Later in the day we visited another nearby creek with great results. Pod after pod of large silvers were just finning in the deep slow currents right next to the bank. The only difficulty we had was in being on the right side of the river to cast to them. Sometimes we could wade the river and cast back into the holding fish, and when that was possible we hooked them like crazy. After a night that saw the temperatures dip below freezing, we ventured out into another bright, sunny day with lots of available fish. We hooked 'em, we played 'em, and we landed 'em with regularity, particularly after we switched to a sink-tip line and a cone-headed green fly they seemed to really like. Each time the pod of fish wised-up to our tactics, we just moved on up-stream to another run and another group of fish. The only problem with that strategy was that the farther we got up-stream the more dark, spawning fish we saw. Even the dark fish were real scrappers, however, never failing to live up to the reputation for incredible acrobatics that silvers enjoy. Eight-weight rods had a tough time dealing with some of these fish, particularly the bright, fresh ones. Silvers jump almost immediately after they're hooked and then usually continue to jump throughout one after the other of their blistering runs. They really are arm-challengers. The scenery at our fishing locations also lived up to Prince William Sound's reputation for some of Alaska's most spectacular vistas. One glacier directly up-stream of us provided a truly Alaskan setting for our great fishing. As we hiked the path next to one river, we also enjoyed seeing lots of ducks, a peregrine falcon, and an immature eagle that watched intently as we cleaned and filleted fish and then swooped down for one of the carcasses we'd thrown into the river. |
Over and over again we also heard the squawks and toots of the migrating sand-hill cranes and saw the dark v's in the sky made by the hundreds of birds in various groups heading south.
The swans that the Cordova area is famous for were everywhere. Pairs of adults with several gray-white cygnets floated serenely on many of the ponds we flew over or passed on our way to the river.
This year the Dolly Varden char were also quite abundant. They weren't large, but they were scrappy, often grabbing large, bright orange or pink flies even before we could get them down to the waiting silvers. At times, we even put egg-flies or egg-imitating beads on our lines to target them while we were resting our arms from the salmon action. It was the silvers, though, that made the trip fantastic. The huge, bulb-nosed males and the sleek, silvery females both came eagerly to the flies. The only trick was getting the fly at the correct depth to drift right to the fish. Once accomplished, there always seemed to be at least a few "biters" in every group.
Silver time is one of the best times of Alaska's summer. Even though we know that the warm weather is over and we're heading into fall, the great fishing is worth it. We're sorry you missed it this year. We sure hope that you don't miss it next year. You don't have to be an experienced fly angler to enjoy these fish. We'll show you what you need to know to get hook-ups and be right there to help you land your prize. We'll be going to Cordova in 2004 the same time we do each year, so make plans to join us. September 7-10, 2004, will be the dates, and the price will stay the same as this year. The trip will still include lodging at Orca Adventure Lodge, meals, 3 days fly-out or boat-out fishing, equipment, flies, instruction and transportation around Cordova. Contact us right now!!
Pudge |
We headed home each night to the comfy sea-side Orca Adventure Lodge with its great food and its sea otters playing in the waves right outside the front door. The sunsets behind the mountains just across the bay made it hard to go to bead at night.
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materials without prior permission from Women's Flyfishing. © 1996-2013. Fly gif courtesy Gian Padovani and DVWFFA.
