Combat Fishing in Alaska, 50 Years Chasing Reds, Silvers, and the Chaos
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Combat Fishing in Alaska
50 Years Chasing Reds, Silvers, and the Chaos
I’ve grown up and lived in Alaska for almost 50 years, and I can tell you firsthand that combat fishing here is a whole different animal. Every summer, the Kenai and Russian Rivers turn into a circus of tangled lines, shoulder-to-shoulder crowds, and very little personal space. Chasing Sockeye Reds and Coho Silvers is exciting enough on its own, but what really makes it wild is when fishermen from out-of-state and even all over the world pour in to experience the runs.
The Reds kick things off every year, and when that first wave hits the Kenai, gravel bars are packed before sunrise. I rolled in at 5 a.m., thinking I was early, only to find the riverbank already full of eager anglers flipping lines. It’s the same on the Russian River, smaller water, stronger current, and double the drama. Everyone is elbow-to-elbow trying to get their drift right, which means crossed lines, tangles, and the occasional heated “discussion” about space.
But here’s the thing. While the chaos can be maddening, it’s also hilarious and unforgettable. I’ve seen first-timers yell “Fish on” while snagged on a stick, a dead fish carcass, or even someone else’s line. I’ve watched people laugh until they cry after snagging the bottom for the zillionth time or tripping over their waders. And even when things get tense, there’s a strange camaraderie that comes from all of us; locals and visitors alike; sharing the same water and the same fight for Reds and Silvers.
If combat fishing had a motto, it would be: “Welcome to Alaska, where personal space is optional and patience is mandatory.”
At the end of the day, that’s what makes it special. The salmon keep charging upriver, the crowds keep coming back, and so do I. Combat fishing might be chaotic, frustrating, and a little crazy, but it’s also part of what makes Alaska unforgettable. And if you ask me, that’s exactly why it’s worth it. Fish On!!
