Bears, Kaslilof kings and surf fishing

We’re a third of the way through 2022. Wow! Even with this past winter seeming to drag on forever, time is moving quickly. The bear baiting season is already two weeks old, and the bears are out and moving around.

While we’re talking bears, be aware they are out there! Clean up any garbage accumulated in your yard and don’t put out any bird feed just yet. If you feed your pet outside, move any feeding station into your garage or clean it up after feeding each day. You don’t want to do anything which would attract bears into your yard now that they are out and looking for food after a long winter fast.

For those of you thinking about making an early season king salmon fishing trip to the Kasilof River, ADF&G has issued a revision to their earlier emergency order.

Quoting from the news release, “The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) is issuing a revision to emergency order 2-KS-1-07-22 issued January 26, 2022, that restricted the retention of naturally-produced king salmon, the use of multiple hooks, and allowed the use of bait beginning May 1 on the Kasilof River downstream of the Sterling Highway Bridge. This revision prohibits the use of bait in the Kasilof River downstream of the Sterling Highway Bridge until May 16 when the bait is allowed by regulation. The revised emergency order allows the use of bait and only one single-hook, artificial fly, or lure on the Kasilof River downstream of the Sterling Highway Bridge beginning at 12:01 a.m. Monday, May 16 through 11:59 p.m. Thursday, June 30. Single hook means a fishhook with only one point.”

Continuing, “’Allowing bait in the Kasilof River beginning May 1 was included in the January 26 emergency order to increase the success of anglers targeting Kasilof River hatchery-produced king salmon returning to Crooked Creek,’ stated Area Management Biologist Colton Lipka. ‘Public concern regarding the vulnerability of steelhead trout staging in the Kasilof River in early May led staff to reconsider the earlier date. The retention of naturally produced king salmon is still not allowed, and anglers will need to keep any incidentally hooked naturally produced kings in the water and release them immediately.’”

Contact Fish and Game with any questions or to ask about the complete news release by calling 907-746-6300 or stopping by the Palmer office and picking up a copy of the revision.

I’ve spent the winter buying gear for my new fascination, surf fishing. I finally picked up my new surf rod from 3 Rivers Fly and Tackle, in Wasilla, the other day to complete finding the major pieces of equipment. The only problem is, with my upcoming ankle surgery, I probably won’t be able to participate until later in the season.

Watching the Facebook pages on surf fishing, folks along the west side of the Kenai Peninsula are reporting they are starting to catch a few halibut and dogfish, so things are beginning to happen.

Randy Sisco, “the Godfather of Alaskan Surf Fishing,” through his Compassion Thru Fishing surf fishing guide business, is hosting the second annual Beach Clean Up and Surf Fishing Tournament May 20th through May 22nd in the Ninilchik area.

There is an entrance fee but there are also significant prizes for the winners of various categories. Randy’s intention is to clean up the beaches and to have folks have fun learning to surf fish. There is a requirement that, when you come to have your catch weighed in, you need to turn in the garbage you picked up off the beach in the area where you were fishing. You can contact Randy at 907-953-4741 or by email at www.compassionthrufishing@yahoo.com for more information about fees, rules, and how the tournament works.

If you have never surf fished before, but are interested in learning, Randy is happy to show you how. I chartered a trip with him last fall to learn about the sport, techniques, and gear – a lot for one trip, but he gave me a good start on how to be successful. I did catch the biggest halibut of the trip, so I was happy.

I think Randy has already begun guiding clients, so be patient in trying to contact him. He can be tough to catch depending on his schedule.

If you’re new to firearms and want to learn safe gun handling, contact ADF&G and sign up for a basic hunter education class. You’ll learn about responsible hunting and how to handle a long gun safely.