Take 1:  Eric & Ruth arrived unexpectedly from Nova Scotia earlier this week, Happy Campers from the moment they plugged in and unplugged, and a fast friendship was formed. So fast in fact that when they booked a last minute King Charter with our Kenai River famous guide Mark Tuter, they invited Cindy and I along as their new Alaska fishing buddies. A welcome break from being landlubbers, we took off on the water at 0530 and enjoyed the rising Kenai River sun as we powered downriver to the Crossover — where we met a few other boats with the same idea 🙂  Fishing looked good, nets were going up with the regularity of the rising sun that made the water glisten as the day got off to a beautiful start. We hooked a Red Salmon on a plug, rare as it is, and it popped off just before the net. Oh well, a million more of those to come and we were here for the world famous Kenai Kings after all! We enjoyed a breakfast of homemade smoked salmon spread on pita crisps and fresh fruits & cheese while we simply waited our turn, the excitement building as nets continued to go up.  After half a morning on this hole we slid downriver to Mud Island on a waning tide and thought we’d try our luck there. Still nothing. A couple very slight nibbles, but nothing even worth setting the hook on really. Not discouraged, in part because the morning and the company was so beautiful, and in part because we had already strategically booked a second morning — something I always recommend to time the run, the weather, the water conditions, and hedge good ole’ fishing luck. The Kenai is a fickle mistress (good name for a band, eh?). Alas, we returned to shore, still smiling, bellies full, but not of fresh Chinook.

Take 2:  The next morning, July the 14th, brought a significant changing weather pattern, also known as rain. We suited up in rain gear and headed out with a cooler of snacks & drinks and high hopes that this would be the day!  We were not let down. Fickle or not, the Kenai River of Dreams does not often disappoint those with the right spirit and attitude. Certainly not on this day. Back to the Crossover hole below Eagle Rock and above Beaver Creek, back to lead the raft of boats lined up for their chance at a Kenai King, back to patiently waiting for a fish to strike our eggs or plugs. In the meantime, we wait, eat some breakfast snacks of fresh smoked salmon from the smokehouse and more Ruthy fruit. That’s all we can do, that’s King fishing.  Then…wham. It happened. Bottom of the drift, right on time, but like always, we never saw it coming. Eric’s pole bent sharply, line peeling, almost in slow motion as he came up with the rod he was holding and set the hook. Later we’d learn the hook was barely stuck in the soft flesh under the salmon’s nose. For now we all just scrambled to get the other lines in and get the net up. “Ruth, Ruth, you gotta reel up.” said the guide, Mark Tuter. She was trying her hardest, but when I looked over her shoulder I saw the problem–the reel handle had snapped off! None of us could believe it, but I quickly grabbed the rod and reeled up using the stub of the handle, then I grabbed the net to signal other boats of the action coming down river!  Eric was intense. Ruth was elated. The King on his line was not happy, but seemed confused as it swam in a shark-like circle round and round along side the boat and under. Eric just held on, that was all he could do. I thought I had a shot at netting it once, but the fish turned and burned and I quickly retreated the net. The King jumped 5 feet off the starboard bow and gave us a good look. The hook held. After what seemed like eternity, I finally had my shot, the head turned toward the boat, out just far enough, and I simply let the fish swim right into the net. As Eric’s adrenaline released the rod tip came up and the King almost succeeded in jumping out of the net, but I raised the net up to contain this big fish. The deed was done. First salmon of Eric’s life. First Alaska fishing success. What a way to start! (To be continued…)