Fresh Chum salmon w/ sea lice caught in tidal water
Around the middle July we start flying down towards Kamishak Bay in anticipation of the chum salmon beginning their migration out of the salt. Kamishak Bay is a magical place filled with wildlife. While fishing, it is not uncommon to see bears, eagles, moose, wolfs, and seals. We focus on three rivers that flow into Kamishak bay. The Kamishak being the biggest of the three has the strongest runs of fish. But Strike Creek and the Little Kamishak river is where we spend most of our time in July before the Silver Salmon arrive.
Ben Todd with a bright Chum
Chum Salmon are a very underrated sport fish especially on fly rods. These fish are big, weighing around 8-12lbs with a few topping out at 15lbs. They pull hard, love to head shake and readily eat flies. Thousands of chum enter into the coastal streams for one main reason-to spawn. Quickly they move up the river systems and find their beds and begin to dig.
Waterfall on Strike Creek our favorite lunch spot!
A bright sea run Dolly Varden caught behind spawning chum
Just behind the migrating chum are sea run Dolly Varden. They follow the chum out of the salt and up the rivers. These dolly's will spend most of the summer beefing up on chum and silver eggs. Dolly Varden can be a blast on fly rods. Indicator fishing with bead patterns is the most productive way to target these fish.
A big sea run Dolly Varden fooled on a egg
Video of John Burton landing on the Kamishak River
Usually around the first week of August we start running up the main Kamishak river to chase the highly anticipated Silver Salmon. Below is a preview of what is to come! Be sure the check back in a couple of weeks to see some of the action these Silver Salmon provide.
Chris Leeman with a nice Silver caught on a wog!
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