The 2011 summer season in Southeast Alaska was one for the ages. Since my last update in early July the king fishing stayed red hot and didn’t slow down until the last week of the season. Those lucky enough to make it up to Waterfall Resort this season were truly spoiled with 10+ king days common from June through August.
The Jones group showing off the results of an excellent day of fishing with guide Kurt Ferse, including the largest Yellow Eye caught this season at just over 24lbs.
Though they were plentiful, big kings were harder to come by this season. Finally, in late July and early August we saw a push of trophy kings, with several in the fifties, and King of Year coming in on August 5th at 60.2 lbs
After a relatively late arrival, silver fishing turned on in the second week of July, and limits of silvers were had nearly every day through early August. By mid-August they had largely moved out of the area, but fortunately there were enough kings to chase around that everybody stayed busy.
King of Kings Derby Hostess Rachel Egger shows off the King of the year caught by Joseph Kinder on August 5th. It tipped the scales at an impressive 60.2lbs.
We were blessed with relatively light winds and stable weather systems throughout the season, which provided for some excellent opportunities for bottom fishing offshore for halibut, lingcod, and rockfish.
Anticipation and excitement is already building for the 2012 season as hopes that the big numbers of kings will continue, and the vast quantity of feeder kings will return bigger and stronger.
A nice hen caught on a beautiful morning at the Pineapple.
So if you missed out on this spectacular season, it’s time to start planning your trip for next year! Contact Waterfall Resort and make a request to fish with guide Kurt Ferse and you will get to fish with some of Fetha Styx finest rods in some of the most productive fishing grounds in Alaska.
Be sure to check back in this winter, as I will be posting the latest news from Southeast AK. Until later, tight lines to you all!