Regs require a "3/8 inch gap or less." My measurements indicate a #4 hook or perhaps a #2. Anyone have a more definate answer or a preference? Thanks, in advance, Wes.

Wes,

The Russian is also classified as "Fly only" as well as the 3/8 gap restriction. Every tackle store in the area carries Coho flies that meet the restriction. It's what everyone uses to line those reds. Just stop into one in Cooper landing or Soldotna and they'll fix you up.

Thanks 4Salt for the reply. However, I have been told that the "Coho flies' available at local stores are often tied on inferior hooks and that I would be better off using a quality Owner or Gamo hook with yarn. I would appreciate your advise. Wes.

They are tied on a long shanked, fairly heavy hook. I'm not sure what brand of hook, but when I've used them, they seemed to hold up pretty well. You realize that basically you're going to be snagging these fish (Hopefully in the mouth, anywhere else and you'll kiss a lot of gear goodbye) I'm pretty sure that you cannot use yarn tied into a bait loop. It must be attached to the hook to meet the "Fly" condition. Trust me, thousands of "Anglers" use those Coho flies every year, so in this case I'd say "When in Rome..."

Wes,

I might still have a pile of those "coho flies" from my previous adventures up North. If I find them, I'll send them to you.

They work fine...as long as you remember to bring a hook file. Sharpen them up, and you're set to snag..er...."hook" fish with the best of them up there!

Now, if you drop down to the Kenai, just use a 2/0, spaghetti bead, and forget the yarn.

Either way, that's some fun fishin'. It's very addicting!

Maybe one of these years FishGal will actually be brave enough to challenge me to a Red Dual on the Kenai!

There's a one A.M. closing time on the Kenai reds. Its mandatory to go to Good Time Charlies after one A.M. even if you involved in a 24 hour on the Kenai Red catching marathon. But, you can resume the competition after the bar closes at 3 AM.

Don't worry about great hooks, just bring a file. After about a doz fish you wear the "fly" off hte hook and need a new one. Last trip up, at the conflunce, rode the farry across, we absolutely spanked them, 17 casts, 17 fish, was the best run I had, must have landed over 50/60 fish in about 3 hours. I use a heavy rod with 50/80 tuff. I was fishing next to a guy from England that hd ben here for 3 hours and only hooked three fish, after about 30 or so I began passing the rod off to him. then I rigged him up with my gear and he started to catch a few. He wa up on the bank when 2 chineese guys cramed in and started fishing and I told them that the guy on the bank was fishing there and they said the hes was busy and they were here now. so the next 12 fish I hooked I short lined and just let then splash right in fornt of these two yahoos, and on two occasions when the fish started to run between their leggs I punched the free spool button. By the time the guy from England wanted to startr fishing again my new chineese friends were absolutely soaked tot he skin fromthe splashing fish right in front of them, and I'm talking inches here. It was such great fun to hook these hot fish and then short line them on the surface right in frong of these ass&&oles............ so .......... take heavy gear if you are fishing the mouth of the Russian and don't worry about great hooks, after 10 or 20 fish you have woren the "fly" out and need to change anyway........... have fun and take a "great attitude" with you........ go withtwo objectives........... 1 to catch fish and 2 to have fun.........

Parker don't go there Fishgal will kick your ass :p :p :p

Go with the 3/0 Owner needle point and a piece of yarn to make a yarn fly. The Owner gets better scale penetration

Check out this site. A good list of Journals and tech from an AK local.

http://www.alaska.net/~guidesak/rudy/rt.htm

Sorry no Java

Yeah, what Reiter Rat said! He's speaking from experience. Ouch

Gentleman: Thanks for the great advise. I will be in Soldotna and Cooper Landing in late July and looking forward to flippin some reds on the bank.

Bugleman - I have been to Rudy's site. Great information. In fact, it was his suggestion about quality hooks that I was referred to above. Thanks.

Fishbait - GREAT STORY! I am actually looking forward to the combat fishing experience. It sounds like a Hoot!

Chuck and others - I will be glad to buy the first round at Good Time Charles if anyone is interested. July 21-28. Email me. Good fishing and thanks again. Wes.

I'm making up a new hat that has lettering on the side that says "Fear No Fishgal!"

I'd call her out for a challenge, but unfortunately, I don't get to go up to AK this year.

You're off the hook (Oooo, bad pun ) this year, Fishgal! Maybe next year though....

You're on Parker, and you're toast :p :p

seems kind of funny that it's unethical to retain any snagged, flossed or foul hooked fish at all but when the laws allow it people's morals and ethics change.

I'm glad my morals and ethics aren't dictated by a bunch of idiots at the state capitol.

This has always amazed me.

Yeah Sinker: You're right.

Deep down in the primal core of every man and woman lies the Drone Snagger Beast.

I'm coming out as a closet flosser on July 19th. The temptation to floss, snag, foul hook slamon, has festered in my sould since early childhood. I could stay in the MIdwest for free, and rip on crusty 20 pound kings in September until my arms fall off, but I have decided to travel to Alaska, and spend lots of money to do it in an environment where it is accepted.

Bob and Corey are going to be the hosts of my coming out party. A select group of friends and and my brother in law will attend the private candle light ceremony on the banks of the Kenai.

At the end of the week I will return home, attend a 10 step program to relinquish my guilt, put on my Orvis and Sims gear, and look down my nose at other people. But deep in my heart, there will always be the temptation to "flip" in public. Peace

My moniker is parker, and I'm a snagger (but only if I fish legally in Alaksa, and post about it on Washington internet board)

Oh wait, since the AK definition of "Snag" is "Means to hook a fish elsewhere than its mouth", I wasn't being a snagger up in Alaska.

Wait, since I don't practice snagging, flossing, or lining in Washington, as that is considered to be "snagging" under the WDFW's definition, I guess that doesn't make me a "snagger".

No need for the 10-step program Hawk. We're still ok. Just be thankful they don't let you use TNT as a fishing method up in AK. Glub, that *would* be fun!!! <BOOOOOM! Fish parts on!>

So sinker, I'm failing to see the ethics issue if all I'm doing is following the law in whatever states I choose to fish in.

Ethics. Yeah, that's a good one.

All of this is in good nature, of course.

Careful guys and gals, the last time Hawk had a coming out party there were interns, cigars and reporters. No, wait that was some other hillbilly from down south. Sorry Hawk, Honest mistake Those Reds are a blast, but pack a cooler cause the show from the bleachers is LMAO funny!!

Parker,
It wasn't aimed at you but I've seen many guys on here *****ing about people keeping foul hooked fish or flossing fish because it's immoral and unethical.
I've just never understood how crossing an imaginary line at the state border changes peoples ethics and morals.
Don't get me wrong I obey the laws but I've kept foul hooked fish before (talk about contradictory statements )
But I've done so in rivers loaded with salmon after the hatchery started throwing fish away or giving them away due to the fact they have met their quota. I've also foulhooked small native cuts and rainbows in rivers that were bleeding so bad there was no chance they were gonna make it, but I wasn't sure of the laws so back they went to be crawdad food.

Nuttin personal parker.
BTW, I really enjoyed your alaska pics. Jeez and to think I have relatives in Yakutat that I've never gone and seen.

You go IronheadMN Anyone who can get a good dis in on the Hawk is O.K in my book !!!

Hey Rat. Don't worry about Ironhead. He's my woman when we go on road trips chasin chromers.

OK, that's only when Basil is working, or too tired from the last trip. Gotta admit, Old Basil is a good camp wench.