Description
Departments
4 Fish Alaska Online
6 Alaska Traveler
8 Creel
10 Gear Bag
12 Fishing for a Compliment
14 Salmon Sense
16 Fly
18 Saltwater
22 Coho Chronicles
26 Flyfishing
28 Conservation
70 Recipe
72 Ad Index
74 Final Drift
Lingcod are apex predators in many Alaska saltwater reefs. © Melissa Norris
32
Alaska’s Big 3 Bottomfish by Marcus Weiner
Halibut, lingcod, and black rockfish are the stars of the show in this article. They are reliable species with which to fill the fish box, though you need to mind the seasons when targeting lingcod. Publisher Marcus Weiner has been chasing these species for decades, and in this piece, he covers fishing methods for each, and his own observations based upon his years of experience.
42
Go with the Flow—Drift Fishing in the Salt by Josh Leach
In Alaska, anglers who aren’t trolling are often anchoring their boat. It can be highly effective, but it’s not the only way to go. There are advantages to drift fishing, and they apply to halibut and other bottomfish as well as salmon. Josh Leach shares his experience gained from fishing salt water around Kodiak Island.
52
To Catch a Halibut, Smell Like a Halibut by Terry W. Sheely
Halibut are both predators and scavengers, and one thing holds true whether you fish for them in Ketchikan or Kodiak or Dutch: They are magnetically attracted to scents. Drop the hook and lay out a big scent trail and halibut will come a-swimmin’ from a long ways away.
62
Good Things in Small Packages, from the Sea by E. Donnall Thomas Jr.
Flyfishing in Alaska salt water is largely unexplored and underutilized. What’s more, there are delicious, plentiful species to be caught. They aren’t all big, but with appropriate tackle, you can have fun all summer long, and from the beach in many cases.
