Salmon

If there’s one species of fish that anglers think about when you mention the northern Pacific Ocean, it has to be Chinook salmon. Salmon are one of the northern Pacific Ocean’s most sought after fish species.

Fall is by far my most favorite time of the year.

 I saw the flash of silver as the fish broke the surface of the water.  I jerked the rod up sharply and then let the line play out as the big salmon bucked and arced in its dance to shake the hook from its mouth.  I called out to the guide, Ryan, to come with the net and soon I had landed my very first salmon on the Kenai River.

As the tributary fishing season gets close to its end here in Northern Wisconsin the biggest of the salmon stealthily make their way up the rivers to spawn.

No more bass fishing for Mercury/Ranger pro Jay Yelas. The FLW Tour star has hung up his bass fishing gear, until next tournament season. His targets of opportunity no longer have spiny rays, but adipose fins instead. That's right, salmon and steelhead are what Yelas is all about during his off time, until the outdoor show season kicks in next January. 

Just because you are not a fly fisherman it does not mean that you cannot chase salmon as they make their way up the rivers in fall. Casting spinners can be a potent lure for fishing salmon, trout and steelhead.

As the fall cold weather takes hold, the desire to hunt among outdoorsmen leaves rivers and streams vacant.

I just returned in late August from my annual hosting trip to the Alagnak River in Alaska.