There’s no substitute for knowing the rules

For the past eight to 10 years, I’ve had the privilege of working with the state parks folks during their annual volunteer campground host training sessions. This training occurs right about this time of year, just prior to the Memorial Day weekend and the opening of most of the state parks facilities around the area. This year’s training was done this past week.

I had worked with a few of the current state parks staff back when I was employed by Fish and Game. Most that I had worked with have gone on to their own retirements, but a few of the then-younger folks are still around and finishing their own careers. Most notably, Teri Zell, the office manager (I don’t know her official title) has been a joy to work with and just to know over the years. Teri had some serious health issues a while back, but has recovered nicely and I’m happy to see she’s back cracking the whip in the parks office. Her upbeat spirit and great sense of humor have always made working with her a pleasure.

My part in the campground host training has involved explaining the fishing available in the Mat-Su area. Usually, a large percentage of the volunteer hosts are up for the summer from the Lower 48, are nonresidents and are unfamiliar with our local fisheries. I try to give them a broad overview of what is available, a short when, where and how explanation so they can answer basic questions from users of the state parks facilities. I also pass out a lot of written information for them to read and refer to during the summer season. I’ll tell you the same things I told these folks a few days ago.

First, you need to get a copy of the current fishing regulations book and become familiar with the regulations regarding the species of fish you plan to chase in the waters you plan to fish. The regulations book has a lot of useful information regarding species identification, licensing requirements, seasons, bag limits, Alaska-resident-only dipnet information for both hooligan and salmon, definitions of terms (such as what exactly constitutes bait) and a bunch of other valuable information.

I also pass out a Fish and Game brochure and information sheet explaining how to identify the various species of salmon and trout, along with other fresh and saltwater species commonly found in this area. It’s tough to fish legally if you don’t know what it is you are catching.

Fish and Game has a handout picturing and explaining the usual rods, reels and terminal tackle folks commonly use to fish in the Valley. Many of these folks have no experience with what types of gear are required to land a 40-pound king salmon in a 10-knot river current. That makes answering a question from one of their nonresident campers on proper gear selection a bit difficult.

The fish and game department also has prepared handouts giving a very nice overview of king salmon fishing in the Northern District. They have done the same with a silver salmon handout. A third handout that explains the stocked lakes program is also available from the department. I usually try to hand out all three, but this year only managed to get the king and silver salmon brochures passed around.

These pamphlets give a good summary of where, when and how to fish for the respective species covered. I always try to at least mention the stocked lakes program because, while salmon mania is all the rage, many folks enjoy the peace and solitude of lake fishing for rainbow trout, Dolly Varden and the landlocked salmon Fish and Game stocks in more than 100 lakes across the Mat-Su.

A summary sheet of fisheries run timings also generally gets handed out as well.

I spent a little more time this year explaining some of the regulation changes the Alaska Board of Fisheries made in our area and didn’t get to my usual discussion of our “combat fisheries.” Most folks just shake their heads when I describe the need for goggles for eye protection and a heavy, long-sleeved shirt and long pants requirements as protection from flying hooks during a typical combat fishing experience. They’ve never seen or heard of anything like that in the Lower 48.

I also usually try to give a short description of how fishing regulations are made in Alaska. Again, most folks don’t realize Alaska has the most open regulation process in the country.

If time allows, I’ll try to get some mention of saltwater fishing included, usually as it relates to halibut fishing, with mention of the coastal communities on the Kenai Peninsula and in Resurrection Bay and Prince William Sound where folks can hire a charter to fish.

I also tell the folks that if they read and become familiar with the regulation book and the other handouts given them, they will know more about our area fisheries than 99 percent of the locals here participating in those fisheries. These folks represent a government agency and must be knowledgeable if they are answering questions about where, how and when to go fishing around the Valley. I always remind them if they have questions themselves, ask either their local state parks ranger or to call either the Palmer Fish and Game office or the Alaska Wildlife Troopers office, also in Palmer.

You can find all these same written materials on the Fish and Game website or by stopping in to the Palmer Fish and Game office. A little knowledge and study can go a long way toward making your fishing trips fruitful — and legal, too.

Howard Delo is a Valley resident and retired fisheries biologist with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. You can leave him a message by emailing sports@frontiersman.com.