Stupid Fishing! 5 million salmon invade one river! Ultra Pics

**Chinook SSSF** · 11-17-2008, 03:46 PM

Stupid Fishing

Photos by Nick Braun and Matthew Clark
Story by Matthew Clark

Sounds to good to be true but its not, I am refering to the Kenai river pink salmon run that occures only on even years. In 2008 anglers saw a banner pink year that was described by guides as 'Stupid fishing' and I was fortunate to have had a small but lasting part in this memorable season. One of the local guides, Ed French offered to take us deep into the lower Kenai river during the incoming tide where literally tens of thousands of fresh pinks were staging daily for their upstream push.

Pink Salmon are the smallest of the 5 species of Pacific salmon averaging only 3 to 5 lbs. They are known to be more aggressive then most other salmon and will eagerly strike anything flashy and moving.

Most recognizable by their hump they are often seen in the lower river areas of countless numbers of Alaskan streams. they are typically the most numerous salmon found in Alaska.

Mike Braun gears up the 7 weight with the 'Pink Hologram Explode' fly, as so coined by it's creator. Nick and myelf are fast into the fish on #4 hot pink R&B spinners. We fished the hardware on long 9'6" Lami Certified Pro's with 10 lb flourocarbon. The long arch in these limber rods gives you a very fun fly rod blank feel.

We set up on anchor for a while and managed ourselves a 60 second break between take downs on wrapped flatfish. At this point with only one rod out for 4 guys I finally had time for a late lunch and to notice that the few other boats around the area also had constant action with nets always at the ready position.

Ed had spent so much time as a guide doing what he calls his 'fish releasing job' that he had not caught any himself yet and since this was a film venture on his day off, someone else got to hold the fish for the camera for once. Glad we could help Ed!

Honestly this was the craziest salmon fishing I have ever experienced. Anyone who took a cast with anything caught something. A perfect place for the younger family members interested in fishing. Bank fishing up here is limited to a few small areas and because of this I honestly recommend the services of a local guide for any of the Kenai rivers fisheries. We will be back to visit Ed with our cameras again in 2010 for the great invasion known as 'stupid fishing'.......

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Big thanks to our friends and resources that help make posts like one this possible!

Nick Braun - Additional Photo and video Credits, great photos nick, thanks!

Ed French - Alaskan Fish Guides 866-945-3474

R & B Lure - Company - Fairview Oregon

Lamiglas Rods - Woodland Washington

**scudrunner** · 11-17-2008, 03:53 PM

Aw Yes... This most definitely brings a smile to my face as I reflect on our trip. The great thing about pink fishing is that it makes anyone look really, really good.

Thanks for the memories..

**Chinook SSSF** · 11-17-2008, 04:01 PM

Yea BIG thanks Ed, I know everyone had a great time!...........

**Globugger** · 11-17-2008, 06:39 PM

Looks fun!!

**p8ntballrman** · 11-18-2008, 12:13 AM

that's awsome matt....... I've got to try fishing like that some time.

**mikebraun** · 11-20-2008, 07:20 PM

That was a great day on the big river with my son and friends. I dont fish out of a boat much,but sometimes it can be an easy way to catch alot of fish. I'm the kinda guy that cant stop fishing until it's dark or someone makes me stop cuz we gotta go. It was no different on this day, we caught a ton of fish with several different methods.
At one point I was just sitting down with my fly right over the side of the boat, I would twitch it just under the surface. Fish would appear from out of the depths and suck it in. I'm sure I could have caught fish wearing a blindfold, but I love watching that take.

Thanks again Ed.

**scudrunner** · 11-20-2008, 10:49 PM

It was awesome watching those pinks follow and attack the flies and spinners... Thanks for going... hwat a great time.

Ed

Originally Posted by mikebraun

That was a great day on the big river with my son and friends. I dont fish out of a boat much,but sometimes it can be an easy way to catch alot of fish. I'm the kinda guy that cant stop fishing until it's dark or someone makes me stop cuz we gotta go. It was no different on this day, we caught a ton of fish with several different methods.
At one point I was just sitting down with my fly right over the side of the boat, I would twitch it just under the surface. Fish would appear from out of the depths and suck it in. I'm sure I could have caught fish wearing a blindfold, but I love watching that take.

Thanks again Ed.

**mikebraun** · 11-22-2008, 08:38 AM

I developed this fly a couple years ago for chums. Then it proved to be my #1 fly for silvers and pinks too. I will put up a pic of it when I figure out how.
I think I'll tie a smaller version for steelhead this year, I'm sure they'd eat it too.

**scudrunner** · 11-22-2008, 10:37 AM

At least write up a recipe if you can't get an image... or send me a handful (in case I mess them up

) and I'll make the picture for you....

On the other hand, I know someone related to you that takes awesome pictures...

**Chinook SSSF** · 11-22-2008, 11:30 PM

Yea good idea, thats a killer fly and I realy does smack the pinks around, and prolly anything else for that matter, love to see a write up and photos on that...........Good luck on the seeling the name we coined ROTF

Ladys and Gentalmen, we give you the "Pink Hologram Explode"!!!! uhh fly...