They're here! Learn to Rig up video: kzread.info/dash/bejne/ZHmJupuvXZWsf6Q.html

Exciting stuff! You played that big fish like a pro. A tough deal in that fast water but my heart sank when it came off. Thanks for the wonderful video!

@alaskasmallcraftadventures

2 жыл бұрын

That’s one of those fish that stay with you forever! It was such a good battle but the Kenai River wasn’t giving her up! Quite emotional really. That’s what it’s all about out there, give and take. Learning to accept defeat and loss. And still wanting more! The mystery and suspense of never knowing. I sure love it! Your comment is uplifting and I sure thank you for it!

@Randy_Savage_ohyeah

2 жыл бұрын

It was a snagged fish, snagged somewhere in back end near the tail. And is a result of using a large J hook and ripping/snagging action towards the end of his drift. I'm really not trying to bash the guy as I do get some useful info from his videos just wish he would improve his technique and in turn not damage so many fish.

fish on comin down! comin waaaayyy down. cool video thanks

@alaskasmallcraftadventures

2 жыл бұрын

Way way way down!! I can’t believe it actually stopped though… but for a second!

Thanks so much! Very informative! I'm in Oregon, can't wait to visit sometime!

@alaskasmallcraftadventures

2 жыл бұрын

Its awesome that you found value in this vid! And I appreciate you taking the time to say so! Thank you for watching.

Fish on!

@alaskasmallcraftadventures

2 жыл бұрын

Let the games begin!!!

What form! Perfect hookset! Looked like a king to me!

@alaskasmallcraftadventures

2 жыл бұрын

It was awesome! So lucky to get to battle that beast!

@Randy_Savage_ohyeah

2 жыл бұрын

This is very clearly a snagged fish, snagged in lower half near tail. You can see the tail come up and surf a couple times in the video. This would only happen to a fish snagged near tail. The combo of a large 3/0 or 4/0 J hook and the ripping/snagging action towards end of drift results in a lot of snagged fish and in turn damage to them. Multiple snaggings and they likely won't make it to spawn. Not trying to bash the guy just trying to save unnecessary damage to fish. I have a long time buddy in AK who uses this technique...he's always hooked up but will snag 10-12 for every legal one.

+/- 40k on Monday makes it happen? To bad the nets go in in the am, but good for them boys, make the $ when it's here to make. We got plenty to play with. Good work, keep it up! See you on the water, maybe?...

@alaskasmallcraftadventures

2 жыл бұрын

Oh yea the fish are in! And I’ll be out there!

Nice, headed that way in T-2 days. Heck, might leave tomorrow.

@alaskasmallcraftadventures

2 жыл бұрын

Nice Right on time! Good luck fishing and be careful with that high water out there!

@10MinutestoRouletteFortune

2 жыл бұрын

@@alaskasmallcraftadventures Still high huh? Last time I was there I had to fish from the bottom steps far down in Centennial Park. If it wasn't the misquotes that would have dragged me away it would have been the water. Good luck to you too.

@10MinutestoRouletteFortune

2 жыл бұрын

@@alaskasmallcraftadventures Oh, on your set up I only see 2, #3 split shots....is that really enough weight to get down there fast enough in that current?

Dam 74,333 yesterday dammmmmmmmm I missed it. I might go tonight got LL to do. Definitely looked like a king huge girth when it surfaced. I thought u were going to get lined out ,,,,

@alaskasmallcraftadventures

2 жыл бұрын

It was happening last night! Still is tonight! Nice strong run pushing in. And Yes! That fish was a fatty and Im thinking king too! It pulled and fought then entire time. A snagged sockeye gives up with about half that battle. It was SOOOO far down river I thought I was getting spooled too! Its huge dark mouth has me convinced that it wasn't a sockeye, but as fishing goes, Ill never know!!!!

We arrived in Soldotna on Wednesday. It's a banner year with record numbers of salmon running. The daily limit is now 6. Everyone on the river is happy! Time of your life, kid.

@alaskasmallcraftadventures

2 жыл бұрын

Fish on!

So I do have a question. Using a fly rod you typically have a 9 ft leader. How do you attach you “sockeye leader” to the fly line

@alaskasmallcraftadventures

2 жыл бұрын

I have only Fly line backing on my reel. No floating line. I then tie the backing line to about 200ft of 20lb monofilament. The 20lb mono is the active line I fish with and I rarely see the backing line come off the reel. I use a swivel and then 17lb mono to tie up a 4.5ft leader to my hook. My new video I released today shows a fish peeling the mono off my reel but the bright orange backing never comes off, check it out! kzread.info/dash/bejne/iKp7s7qJgse8htY.html

can you drop a link to the rod and reel setup thanks

@alaskasmallcraftadventures

Жыл бұрын

Most places are out of stock on this one right now because it’s the best budget fly rod available imo. Ugly Stik 9’ Bigwater Fly Rod, Two Piece Rod. Most big box stores stock this one and it can be ordered online. The reel is www.amazon.com/Okuma-SLV-89b-SLV-Fly-Reels/dp/B08PPY1GD3/ref=mp_s_a_1_5?adgrpid=109368956369&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI65PZ3IWm_AIVNx-tBh1pNwJ0EAAYASAAEgIHg_D_BwE&hvadid=580795258536&hvdev=m&hvlocphy=9033901&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=b&hvrand=9516552242307442864&hvtargid=kwd-338366853257&hydadcr=22814_13498132&keywords=okuma+slv+8+9+fly+reel&qid=1672564890&sr=8-5

Ryan, i was wondering if u can share what size line u use ? 15 lbs ? thoughts on braided line with a flurocarbon leader ?

@alaskasmallcraftadventures

Жыл бұрын

The braided line doesn’t flip as well as a monofilament line although it could be used if you have the patience for it! I use 17# test monofilament for my leader and 20# for my mainline. The mono handles the line twisting better when you’re flipping all day imo

@isaeed11787

Жыл бұрын

@@alaskasmallcraftadventures Thx for the info. Also, is Russian River fly the best option in the area ? Any other suggestions?

@alaskasmallcraftadventures

Жыл бұрын

The Russian fly has a very small gap and is designed for the rocky bottom and tight quarters at the Russian. A better alternative for the Kenai would be a #5 octopus hook or something similar. kzread.info/dash/bejne/ZHmJupuvXZWsf6Q.html here’s a link to my rig up video

@isaeed11787

Жыл бұрын

@@alaskasmallcraftadventures #5 hook ... interesting. I guess I will order gamakatsu in 5, 4, and 3. I usually use #2 and #1 at Salmon River, NY. Will look at your videos again and start taking notes...thx so much

Looks like it's getting to that time of year. I saw the counts were climbing a bit

@alaskasmallcraftadventures

2 жыл бұрын

Yea, the dipnetting has been really good the last few days with lots of catch being reported. The rain and high water have the fish on the move, but the fishing has drastically improved. Plus, there’s a lot more hooks in the water compared to a week ago, so you can get a better sense of what’s swimming around.

@mikeknape7064

2 жыл бұрын

@@alaskasmallcraftadventures they updated the counts. Over 74k yesterday!

Coming to fish in Soldotna….Aug 18. The river looks really high. Would you recommend chest waders over hip waders?

@alaskasmallcraftadventures

2 жыл бұрын

Chest waders always

@y2kelly66

2 жыл бұрын

Agreed.

where’d you get your fly gear?

@alaskasmallcraftadventures

2 жыл бұрын

I prefer the selection that the small shop just South of the Kenai River bridge in Soldotna, Ken’s Tackle offers. Has a huge sockeye salmon on top used as a sign. Great flies in there.

ADF&G cut the commercial guys off 18 July so Sockeye have free run.....should be awesome.

@alaskasmallcraftadventures

2 жыл бұрын

Awesome hardly describes it!

Headed up there for the first time this weekend. I noticed in some of you videos that you brush the fish with a wire brush. Why is that?

@alaskasmallcraftadventures

2 жыл бұрын

When I clean my fish out in the field I like to remove all of the slime, scales, sea lice, sand, algae and river water from the outside of the fish before I cut into the meat. The meat keeps longer, tastes better and I have better luck getting “non fish” eaters to try it out. Overall handling of the meat for meal prep is better imo. The wire brush is the most effective tool I’ve found other than a pressure washer. Seriously. Also, keeping the fish dry is key. I don’t rinse my meat in the river and only wash right before I cook it.

@ScoutSquatch

2 жыл бұрын

@@alaskasmallcraftadventures Awesome, thanks for the info and all the current videos. Certainly appreciate the time and effort you are putting in to help others!

red snagged in tail. It happens

@alaskasmallcraftadventures

2 жыл бұрын

Could have been! We will never know though. It had a big dark mouth and was steerable. Unlike any other battle I've had, this one was different. 🧐 but yes, that does happen and is more probable given the rarity of the King! 🐟

@Alaskaislarger

2 жыл бұрын

@@alaskasmallcraftadventures It was a good day to be out there. I was done in 15 minutes. Lots of fish

Put your rod tip down in the water. No fish likes to be drug up to the surface. They are heading UPSTREAM if you let them.

@alaskasmallcraftadventures

11 ай бұрын

Yea you’re right about that! This spot keeps you elevated above the water so it would be difficult but next time that’s what I’m trying.

When they surf on the top line that they are snagged. Live and learn kid.

@alaskasmallcraftadventures

2 жыл бұрын

I don't even know why I questioned it.

@Randy_Savage_ohyeah

2 жыл бұрын

Most def snagged when you're surfing them. Need to use a circle hook....will only catch them legally. J hooks snag a lot of fish when ripped at the end. Lots of unnecessary damage to fish that may prevent spawning.

You should have followed your fish instead of forcing it.

@alaskasmallcraftadventures

2 жыл бұрын

As much as I wish I could’ve, I didn’t have a boat. And trampling the river bank is really frowned on. It was a fair fight.

When a fish runs like that, everyone knows it's foul hooked. You're dragging it back. No fun.

@alaskasmallcraftadventures

2 жыл бұрын

🧐Everyone knows! So just cut the line next time? What's the next move here?