Hi all,

Just wanted to drop in a plug here for Bob Gray (no relation) and his Prince of Wales Sportfishing operation out of Craig, AK. Through a wierd set of circumstances, I just got back from my second trip up there this summer and it was awesome. In late June we got into a mess of nice Kings and butts and over this past weekend the Silver fishing was just silly. Robbo even managed to find a beaut of a straggler King at 38lbs.

Bob has been fishing up in AK for the past 25 years, the past 10 as a sportfishing guide, and has the program dialed in. No booger picking here. It's a quick run from Craig to the fishing grounds, unlike some places a little further North, and his 24' Silver Streak is a sweet ride. I'll have a full report in the STS Alaska issue in Feb. and you can also see some of the action in an upcoming Fisherman's Heaven show. The season is winding down this year but if you're considering a trip North next year it's worth checking into.

Prince of Wales Sportfishing

Bruce

B. Gray, looking forward to reading your article, I've fished that area for 6 years and I think the only area between Vancouver and Anchorage I would rather fish "might" be Sitka. May actually be getting the Coast Guard license out of mothballs and head back up next season.

Yup, some pretty amazing water up there. And easy to get to from Seattle. I haven't fished Sitka so I can't make a comparison but I sure liked the quick run to the outside for Kings in June and the millpond fishing inside for silvers this past trip. Although we did get outside to find one last king over the weekend. Here's a pic of the brute and the goofball who got him.

B.Gray

B.Gray Sorry about the previous message,it must have been the computer...hmmmm? At any rate I will be leaving Sat.the 24th for Catchaking Lodge somewhere out of Craig. Is this close to where you were? If so, have you heard anything about it? It is my first trip to SE Alaska and I'm pumped! The lodge is owned and operated by my buddies bro-in law, and I understand their are still quite a few kings in the area. Though I'm looking forward to catching a few bruiser silvers,I would not object to a 38lb. king! Any info you want to share would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Sid, maybe I can help a little, Catch-a-king is a good lodge with some great guides (at least they were 2 years ago) Paul Rupp and Rich Manning are both legends in the area, J.R. and Benji Flores are both veterans in the area and you can't go wrong with any of them.
Unless they've upgraded, you'll be fishing out of older 21 ft. Glasply's which are great boats but there kind of out dates compared to most charters in the area.
About the only real complaint (I) have ever heard about them is they do not spend much time looking for bottom fish, they will get you your daily halibut limit but for some reason they don't seem to like to look for lings or yellow-eye.
I wouldn't expect alot of kings this late but silvers (10 to 15+ lbs.) will be easy.

Hey Sid, you're probably unpacking fish boxes about now or are most likely still up there. Yes, we stayed at a hotel in Craig (Ruth Anne's) and Catch-a-King boats were often fishing the same areas we were. I don't know the guys there and haven't been to the lodge. You're probably going to be a little late for Kings but the inside fishing for silvers should be a hoot if the weather holds.

Let us know how you did.

Bruce