Anyone Interested in an Alaskan Fishing Trip

[Schoe]

My son has been after me to set up a trip to Alaska for Halibut and Salmon this summer . I am curious if any of our members would be interested if we would set it up? Schoe

[Schoe]

I have been mulling this trip around and was thinking of the possibility of having a contest for the Winner to go with us with their Plane fare and Fishing cost picked up by WIF. License, Food, personal expense and tips would be their responsibility. I will wait and see what kind of interest we have on this. Talk to me guys, and check the google add at the top of the page. This looks like it would be a blast. Schoe

[Catbird]

That would definately be the trip of a lifetime.

[gofish]

schoe there are a few saltwater fish that tickle my fancy. ling cod and barn doors are on that list. if i could get off work id be interested.

[Schoe]

Gofish and Catbird, This trip is just in the infant stage and I will do lots of research to come up with a good price. I do have a very good friend that lives in Keani Ak. that is connected to the local charter people.
Also keep in mind that one of our members could go almost free if we start getting a good response from our membership.
I would love to come up with some different ideas on how someone could qualify to win this trip. Any ideas fellas? Schoe

[Tee]

FISHING ROAD TRIP!!!
I would love to go! Just depends on the dates as to whether it will fit in the schedule.

T

[Catbird]

Not knowing anything about Halibut or Salmon (except that it comes in a can from the grocery...lol) I decided to do a little research for myself and any members that are interested. This is just a short summary so you may want to continue research on your own.

Halibut: The largest halibut in Alaska caught sport fishing was 459#. Could you imagine hooking into something that size? It would be like trying to reel in a VW bug or a least a large motorcycle. Here is some of the info I found :

Halibut is prized for its delicate sweet flavor, snow-white color and firm flaky meat. It is an excellent source of high-quality protein and minerals, low in sodium, fat and calories and contains a minimum of bones.

Halibut is very versatile in the kitchen, as well, with many recipes for baking, broiling, pan-frying, deep-frying, poaching or barbecuing.

A fletch refers to a large halibut fillet. One halibut will yield four fletches. Halibut also yield roundish cheeks which are extracted from their head area. Halibut cheeks are sweet flavored and are considered a delicacy.

Sport fishing for halibut in Alaska is very popular. Some say it's an experience you'll never forget. Imagine having a 250 lb. angry halibut on the other end of your line with incredible swimming powers. As you reel it in and your arms tire from its brute strength, you wonder just how big this giant behemoth of the deep could possibly be. This could be the best fishing story of your life!

Salmon: All salmon are born in fresh water, then travel to salt water. Two or more years later, they return to their home streams to spawn. They are "anadromous fish" (from the Greek for upward (ana-) running (dromos). There are 5 species of salmon so here is some info on each:

King salmon (also known as chinook, quinnat, tyee, tule and blackmouth)
Average weight Sport-fishing record weight Range in Alaska
30 lbs. 97 pounds, 4 ounces From Southeast to Chukchi Sea (Northern Alaska)
This is the largest fish found in Alaska's fresh water. The hook-and-line record is 97 pounds, and the largest king ever caught was a 126-pounder was caught in 1949 in a fish trap near Petersburg in Southeast Alaska. Kings have irregular black spotting on their backs and dorsal fins and on both lobes of the tail fin. Kings also have black gums. Seagoing kings are deep-bodied fish with bluish-green coloration on their backs. Spawning kings range from red to copper to almost black. Some kings run all the way up the Yukon River into Canada.
To catch: Kings run between May and July. Best areas are Southeast and Southcentral Alaska. Like all salmon, they stop feeding once they reach fresh water, but they do strike (irritation or habit?). Trolling with herring bait is preferred in salt water, and lures (spoons and spinners) as well as salmon eggs are used in fresh water.

Silver salmon (coho)
Average weight Sport-fishing record weight Range in Alaska
8- 12 pounds 26 pounds Coastal Alaska from Southeast to Point Hope on Chukchi Sea, and Yukon River to Canada.
Saltwater silvers Oncorhynchus kisutch are bright silver with small black spots on the back. Spawning males develop a prominent hooked snout with large teeth. Spawners of both sexes have dark backs and heads with sides colored maroon to reddish.
To catch: Silvers move into streams from July to November. In salt water, these acrobatic jumpers are taken by trolling or drifting with herring or by fishing along the shore with flies or lures. In fresh water, try salmon eggs, flies, spoons and spinners.

Red salmon (sockeye or blueback)
Average weight Sport-fishing
record weight Range in Alaska
4 - 8 pounds 16 pounds Gulf of Alaska and Bering Sea coasts.
Reds Onchorhynchus nerka lack the large black spots found on king, silver and pink salmon. Breeding males develop a humped back and long, hooked jaws filled with sharp, doglike teeth. Both sexes turn brilliant to dark red on the back and sides, pale to olive green on the head and upper jaw and white on the lower jaw. Sockeye flesh is the reddest of the salmon fleshes.
To catch: Catch reds in clear water by putting a fly or lure right in front of the fish. The largest runs are in the summer in Bristol Bay and Chignik Lagoon of southwestern Alaska and Southcentral's Cook Inlet (especially the Russian River), Prince William Sound and the Copper River.

Chum salmon (dog, calico)
Average weight Sport-fishing record weight Range in Alaska
7 - 18 pounds 32 pounds All of coastal Alaska.
ISeagoing chums have metallic greenish-blue backs with fine black speckles. Chums have fewer but larger gill rakers than do other salmon. Once chums reach fresh water, they develop vertical bars of green and purple, and the males develop a hooked snout and very large teeth. Canned chums are often sold outside Alaska as "silver brights."
To catch: Anglers often catch chums while fishing for other species with flies, spinners, & other lures. Chums are often smoked instead of eaten fresh.

Pink salmon (humpback)
Average weight Sport-fishing
record weight Range in Alaska
3.5 to 4 pounds 12 pounds,
9 ounces Coastal Alaska as far north as Kotzebue.
The pink Onchorhynchus gorbucha is nicknamed "humpback" or "humpy" because of the distinctive hump the male develops at spawning time. This species is the smallest of the five Pacific salmon species. Spawning males develop a brown or black top and white belly; females become olive green with dusky bars or patches and a white belly. Pinks are a major resource for the canning industry. Their distinctive physique makes them a favorite of artists.
To catch: Pinks develop on a two-year cycle, so some streams may have bank-to-bank pinks one year and relatively few the next year. Spinners, flies and spoons all do well.

[Schoe]

Thanks Catbird, I sure apreciate the info on the Alaskan fish. I'm still working on the idea for a contest for one of our members to go with us on a trip up there with us. I more than likely won't do much with this untill after I get home in April. Schoe

[Catbird]

I have an aunt and uncle that sold their home when they retired and purchased a large RV. They proudly showed me some pictures of a salmon trip they went on. They were some very nice looking fish. They were planing another run up there this year i think.

[the fish whisper'er]

I Spent A Few Years Up There In The Army The Salmon You Get Up There Is Nothing Like You Get From A Can (when Is The Last Time You Had Your Real Smoked And Gears Striped By A Can?) And As Far As The Halibutt There Is Absoloutly No Better Eating Fish In The World That I Have Experianced And Even The Small Ones Are Like Realing Up A Sunken Motercle , Butt They Are Defently One Of The Uglyist Things That You Will Ever Putt In The Boat,exept Mayby Your Brothers Wife:

[Schoe]

Well Whisper'er, How would you like a chance to go up there again for a week with your Air Fare and Fishing paid for? I tell you what, I've caught Flounder that might weigh three pounds that fight pretty good and I can imagine how a hundred Lb'r would feel. Schoe

[the fish whisper'er]

O Brother Would I , Sometimes I WisH That I Never Left That Place But I Would Have To Clear It With My Soon To Be Wife:d

[Rainman4u2]

Sounds like fun to me.

Ray

[Schoe]

Well boys, if and when we get this all figured out one of our members will win a fishing trip of a lifetime valued close to $3,000. What I see happening now by the time we get things in order the trip probably will take place the summer of 07. Schoe

[Tee]

Sounds GREAT! Give me longer to save my pennies............
T

[capt.kirk]

HEY SCHOE
That sounds like a great trip,and i dont have to clear it with anybody:D
KIRK

[the fish whisper'er]

let me know, and for the record she already said daddy could go

[Screen]

That is one trip of a lifetime for me! My brother and brother-in-law have been there many times! Jim goes every spring - lucky guy! The stories I have heard just get you going! When do we leave! Better start saving now!

[gofish]

hey screen any idea how much it would cost to have one of those ling cod mounted? gotta love those teeth!

[Screen]

I don't know but if you got a trophy you would want to mount it! Show the reason for spending that much money!!!

Halibut are worth a lot of money - my brother-in-law gets some each year and has them dressed and packed to send home - He is offered quite a bit to just leave them at the market!

[Schoe]

Well Screen when we figure what type of contest or drawing we will have to determine who will go with us for free you will have to jump right in there as you could be the Lucky one. Schoe

[gofish]

i was told about the halibut deal. if you had one of them mounted though youd never get it home. lol.

[Schoe]

Today I sent out several inquiries to Alaskan Charters about their availability and if they would be interested i working with us putting out plans together. I will keep you all posted on the progress. Schoe

[Screen]

If that doesn't work out will have to hit up your new friend from Canada and that would be alright too! This project is for the summer of 07 right!

[Schoe]

Screen, I was thinking along that line because once we get everything lined up and people get vacations switched around it could be messy. I just sent E-mails to six Outfitters in Alaska today and had one reply already that was very positive. I do have an old friend in Keani Ak. that is asking around to some of his friends in the bussiness to see if he can get us a good deal. Will post results as I get them

[Catbird]

Sounding good Schoe!

[Schoe]

It's coming together Catbird, its just a matter of time. Schoe

[Screen]

Schoe you and Catbird will go anywhere to fish! LOL HaHaHa!!!

[Schoe]

There ain't no place far enough. Man I ought to be a song writer. Well I tell ya Screen, I was in Alaska on a Moose hunting trip and after I tagged my Moose we went after Silver Salmon on the Keani River and had a total blast. I have an 8 MM movie of the whole trip but need to get it copied on a tape or disk. It don't track good as someone borrowed it years ago and screwed up the tracking. Keep this trip in mind buddy as we only come this way once, well, sometimes get a second chance if you know what I mean. Schoe

[Fatkat]

I've always wanted to go to Alaska, that would be the trip of a lifetime for sure. :)

[ladymohawk]

<TABLE id=HB_Mail_Container height="100%" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0 UNSELECTABLE="on"><TBODY><TR height="100%" UNSELECTABLE="on" width="100%"><TD id=HB_Focus_Element vAlign=top width="100%" background="" height=250 UNSELECTABLE="off">the trip to alaska sounds like fun it would be a good trip for the mohawk he would be interested and i would get rid of him for a few days no cooking no laundry and lots of shopping</TD></TR><TR UNSELECTABLE="on" hb_tag="1"><TD style="FONT-SIZE: 1pt" height=1 UNSELECTABLE="on">
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[capt.kirk]

SCHOE
The way i read the smoke signals from MOHAWKS teepee,he better
take the check book with him if he goes;)
KIRK