Alaska "Combat Fishing"

May in Alaska is a wonderful time. Not only does it signify the end of Winter, finally, but that's when the Salmon start moving up through the rivers and streams to spawn.

Summer in Alaska only lasts for a short time, so all the locals wake up from their hibernation and head outdoors. Couple that with the 1.9 million tourists who visit each year, and it can get a little crowded. Alaska is the largest state in America, consisting of 586,412 square miles. it's twice the size of Texas, and has 12,000 rivers and more than 3 million lakes. The best Salmon fishing, however is primarily on the Kenai Peninsula.

Salmon fishing is serious business in Alaska. Most of the locals fish for sustenance, while visitors fish for sport. Techniques range from spoons or flies, to nothing more than a hook to "Snag" the fish. I had never encountered "Snag" fishing before, but it was some easy fishing. Basically, you cast your hook up stream and let it drift down stream, lifting your rod tip up every so often. There are so many Salmon in the water, it doesn't take long to snag one.

The "Combat" part of all this is, you are fishing within a few feet of other anglers. Dozens of fishermen along the same stretch of shoreline, all casting sharp hooks within inches of each other. If you're not paying attention, someone could get a hook in the face, and no one wants that. Not to mention the possibility of a bear stopping by to do a little fishing right next to you. This is Alaska after all. I have to admit, I really didn't enjoy that type of fishing very much. Personally, I would rather be on a lake, with no other anglers in sight, fishing from my kayak. So why do so many anglers flock to "The Last Frontier" to fish like this? Huge Salmon and the beauty, I suppose. It wasn't uncommon to see 80 pound King Salmon or 12 pound Sockeyes being hauled out of the river. That could be reason enough for some to fight through the crowds. Mine however, were not that big.

I have been all over the world, to many awesome places, but Alaska is my favorite. The best hunting, fishing, hiking and camping I have ever done was in Alaska and I hope to make it back there one day. Maybe I'll give "Combat Fishing" another try, who knows. If you get a chance, I highly recommend visiting Alaska, if not for the fishing, just for the sheer beauty.

D.S