North To Alaska

[aliciabusick]

Thousands of anglers descended on Alaska's seas, lakes, rivers, and streams in search of the mighty big one that didn't get away this summer. Unfortunately. due to low King Salmon (Chinook) returns, a lot of anglers were left high and dry due to emergency closures from Alaska Fish & Game. Red Salmon (Sockeye) runs actually saw an abundance this year with limits being caught by some anglers daily. A patient few played the waiting game when they limited, if possible, on the Kenai Pennisula: When the clock struck 12:00AM in the Land of the Midnight Sun, fishing started all over again for the next day's limit thanks to excess daylight.

South Central Alaska saw a some massive halibut being caught, one out of Whittier, AK that tipped the scales at 340 lbs and earned a picture in the Anchorage Daily News. We've had a great Lingcod season as well with numerous guides landing 50+ pounders. No new record yet! I believe 82.6 lbs (caught July/07 in Ninilchik, AK) still stands. Conservation has been a big priority with halibut. With younger fish stocks diminishing, guides are now required to have a permit to fish halibut. Not everyone qualified a few years back and a lot of people had already booked their charters a year in advanced only to find the laws had changed, SouthEast earned a bigger slot limit, one halibut under 45", over 68".

Guides and anglers will have boots and poles in the water mostly until early September. A few die-hards fish the freshwater in October for some amazing Rainbow trout, fattened by all the Salmon roe, and if the weather permits seafarers set sail.

All in all, great fishing and great visitors alike. Hope a few of you make it up here!
Fair seas and tight lines,

~Alicia
Admin asst LeSea Charters
Save the Halibut Charters
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Save-the-Halibut-Charters/146123815471875