The New Year promises bold new adventures for this podunk country doc. Move over beloved Kenai River... KANEKTOK KINGS are in the cross hairs for Alaska 2009. An uninterrupted streak of annual reservations at Kenai Riverbend dating back to 1988 is about to go down in flames.

It's been 10 years since I first had an interest in this fishery. Even bought a 15 foot 10 wt Spey rod from Dec Hogan with the intention of honing sufficient casting skills to one day swing a big king fly across one her productive runs.

To date, I have taken every available West Coast salmonid on that rod (coho, pink, sockeye, searun cutt, steelhead, chum) but so far, not one of the target species I originally bought it for.

All of that is about to change this summer, as the Kanektok is THE premier fly fishery for O. tschawytscha.

Just finished all of my on-line reservations for a selfish dream trip. Can't wait for that first BIG grab!

Doc,
Been to the Kanektok, and know quite a bit about it. My Dads crew had camp there for ten years. Give me a call if you want some inside help.

Guided there for Kings and everythng else for 3+ years - Can be incredible with 10 - 20 fish days on the fly. Can also be frustrating. If the kings are not cooperating make sure you take advantage of the other fisheries. During the king run there should also be trophy sized sockeye there (up to 15 lbs), chums, char, and the rainbows are simply unreal. What week are you going to be there? The prime of the king run is onle a few weeks long.

Sounds like fun.Good luck,
STRIKE ZONE

Good for you, Doc! Can't wait for the after-action report!

the ktok is pretty cool!

Nice pics Sparkey !!

Who did you.......

Never mind

Peace Fly

SWEEEEEEEEEEEEETTTTTTT Doc,
That is one place I havebeen wanting to go.

Peace
Fly

I was there several years ago and had a blast. I got to spend several days on the Arolik there as well, and would highly recommend an outing to that river!
Cheers,
Neal

I've been thinking about that trip too Doc, ever since floating the Arolik a couple years ago. What week did you decide on?

Sg

It gonna be great Doc! It has been quite a few years, I used to guide for AK West. I had the pleasure of witnessing one of the most prolific K tok King runs in history, imagine Kings moving up river like Chum Salmon. Dont worry about heavy stuff, these fish are biters and move to a fly with determination. Many times the best lines were type 3 - 6 no need to get heavy. Big fish blue is very similar to the fly you have above, just a little lighter shade of blue, no lead eyes. The leprechaun is a combo of green and white, this is a great color combo for the Ktok. I would not pass up a day of Back bouncing for these critters, it is as good as it gets.

Matt

Now that's what I'm talkin' 'bout, baby!

Will look forward to your great photo essays. Looks like a cool fishery.

I fear I may be changing my plans for 2010. You just might start enjoying catching Kings on a fly without 500 people watching you do it.
If anyone deserves a selfish dream trip it's you bud.

Fear not, Oh-Sen. If those Kanektok trips ever become a habit, they'll only be every other year. At least till I pay off the EX.

Remember what I said about an Emeritus seat on the Kenai Predator?

I'm lookin' at July 2010 on my cell calendar... last day of the Kenai king season falls on a Sat. Sounds like we fish right up to the closing bell, then we sleep in and take the kids out for silvers and pinks on Aug 1st.

I think Lionel Ritchie sang it best.... "easy like Sunday morning."

Good Gawd Doc...it's 2:00 in the friggin morning! Congrats on a great trip planned!

Damn. This Boat Ho has got to figure out a way to get back on that boat in 2010......

I saw you on Doc's boat last summer. Pretty good on the net. Now if you're good at making sandwiches, curing eggs, and cleaning a boat, I might have a seat for the Boat Ho in 2009 .

Cured eggs: Got that SOOO covered. Ask Addicted and few others about the eggs Parker has! Those Kenai kings really loved the eggs I had cured up there.

Cleaning Boat: Before and after!

Sammiches: Sure. I make one for my lunch every day.

Unfortunately, I am already going to be up on in Alaska in 2009 and don't have the time to Ho a spot in your boat.

I should have asked a couple of months ago when I made all the arrangements. I was trying to find a seat on the Kenai on Friday the 31st of July, but when I got no takers, I just set that as a travel day.

Thanks for the offer and good luck up there this year!

Doc's Idea of an easy day of Silver fishing on the Kenai is to sleep in until 6 am then fish until 10pm, cook a great meal, relax around the fire with a cocktail or two, Hit the rack by 1 or 2 then get up early the next day and do it again. This is the week after the hard core non stop week of 18 hour a day King fishing when he and his brother fish a half dozen guys into the dirt.

Francis never slows down but will occasionally come to a complete stop. Out of respect and gratitude I won't post that pic even if it is one of Drake's favorites.

I wouldn't miss it for the world.