FIBFest part deux

Deneki Outdoors is hosting the second annual Fishing Industry Blogger Fest at Andros South next month. We've kicked ourselves almost daily since missing the opportunity last year and missing it a second time would be less than smart. And considering our behavior at the film tour earlier this week, it's best we start making smarter decisions.

In the meantime, I'm going to have to start boning up.  It's been a while since I tangoed with the flats - been even longer since I've had a Kalik.

More on this session throughout the weeks leading up to the event.

Deneki Outdoors Guest Post: 10 tips - Swinging flies for Kings

Tip #10, executed to perfection.

Photo: Cameron Miller

Planning on swinging flies for king salmon this summer, maybe on the Kanektok or the Dean? Here are some tips that may help. 

1. Cast across and slightly downstream. You certainly need to read the water you're fishing and adjust accordingly, but in general if you're fishing a broad, gradual gravel bar, the most effective presentation is across and maybe 20 degrees downstream from perpendicular to the flow.
2. Mend big. No delicate mends here. In your typical king swinging water, a big upstream mend immediately after the fly lands will result in the best presentation. Mend big - use the whole rod. Move the whole fly line.
3. Mend slack. If you shoot all your line on the cast and then make that big mend, you'll be pulling the fly back towards you, rather than taking advantage of the beautiful long cast you just made (right?). Hang on to that last 5 feet or so of running line when you make your cast, so that when you mend you can let go and mend slack-- positioning the line and the fly properly, not pulling the fly back towards you.
4. Maintain a straight line to the fly. Kings want a long, slow, steady swing. In most water this is best achieved by keeping your line as straight to the fly as possible. Don't worry about perfection - make a few big mends to keep the line straight, and then just let 'er swing.
5. Don't set until you've got a steady pull. The classic king take goes like this - Yank...yank...pause...deep pull. Wait for the deep pull to set the hook. We're not always sure what going on underwater during a take, but we know you need to wait for the deep pull. Of course, if line just suddenly starts screaming off you reel, you don't need to wait for much of anything.
6. Set low, hard, and towards the bank. A lazy rise of the rod tip will not get the job done here. After you get the deep pull, give a hard, quick jab downstream and toward the bank with the butt of your rod. If your knots are tied well you're not going to break him off-- set hard.
7. Don't try to stop them. Particularly on the first couple of strong runs, let them run. If they're headed downriver and you clamp down to try to halt the run-- here's where you are going to break them off. Unless you're staring at your arbor knot and you've got no choice, let them run and work hard to retrieve line once they stop. Besides, this is the fun part!
8. Put the heat to 'em. Once you've got the hook set, and after the mayhem of the first couple of runs, fight them hard. These are big, strong fish, and if you're not working hard, they're resting. The longer the fight lasts, the longer the hook has to work itself free, and the more time the fish has to be come dangerously exhausted. Fight them hard! You should be breathing hard after landing a hot king - really.
9. Walk backwards to land them. When the fight is nearly over and the fish is ready to be landed, the easiest way to end the fight is often to keep a tight line to the fish and slowly walk backwards until the fish is in shallow water. If you're not in a spot where you can walk backwards (like up against a brushy bank), you may just have to get creative.
10. If you're going to take a picture, leave the fish close to the water. If not in the water, that is. It's much easier on the fish and it just looks better!

Deneki Outdoors is a close friend of the Chum family and is certainly dialed in to all things anadromous.  We look forward to many more guest posts from Deneki.  Until then, visit the Deneki Outdoors Blog

Rainbow Connection

Alaska West's Kanektok is known for its King run.  But we found out on our last Moldy Chum field trip that there is one hell of a rainbow connection.

photo by Cameron Miller

According to Kermit, rainbows are visions - they're only illusions.  He's obviously never fished the Kanektok.

Moldy Chum Field Trip # 2: Kanektok River, AK - ONE SPOT LEFT

LAST CALL!  We have one spot left for this trip.

If we could go to just one Alaska fishery before we died, it would be Alaska West's Kanektok. From August 7th - 14th, we're doing it and we're doing it right. Six members of the Chum Nation will join us. And you're invited to be one of them!

Alaska West's Kanektok location is a remote fishing camp by definition. We will sleep and eat in tents.  We will responsibly misbehave. And, we will catch silvers, rainbows and dollies till we hurt.

AK West is owned and operated by our industry buddy Andrew Bennett. It is also where good friend and Hustle and Fish producer Steve Apple spent years filming and dreaming up the freak-show that is H&F.  Here's our opportunity to join the tomfoolery. 

Are you in? We'll put you on the list and/or answer any questions you have here

Camp is the epicenter of one of the worlds most fruitful drainages.

Two Chum faithful per guide/boat.

We will catch slab bows on mice. Lot's of 'em.

We will catch silvers on wogs: VIDEO

If we feel the need, we will harvest healthy fish from a very healthy fishery.

Will will fish LONG days and sleep hard in 5 star tents. In-tent farting will be discouraged.

This is a first come first serve gig. We're capping the week at 6 rods. Shoot us a note and we'll answer any and all questions. 15% deposit locks you in.

Moldy Chum 2009 field trip rate:

$4800. This price includes 7 nights and 6 days of guided fishing on the Kanektok, meals, lodging, flies, terminal tackle and loaner gear (if needed). In addition, guests tip an average of $500.  Plane tickets are not included. 

Fish with Dec - get a free stick of your choice!

Photo by Cameron Miller

It gets no better than this.

Moldy Chum is working with Deneki Outdoors to announce a special program for the week of June 12 - 19 at Alaska West.

This week involves swinging flies for the hottest, brightest kings of the season, and includes spey instruction by the legendary Dec Hogan.

Guests who book a trip with us from June 12 - 19, 2009, will receive at no charge a single- or double-handed fly rod of their choice. In addition, Dec will autograph and give to each angler a copy of his book A Passion for Steelhead at no charge.

Here are the details. - Single- and double-handed rods from major manufacturers all qualify. Custom and bamboo rods do not qualify. - This offer applies only to the week of June 12-19, 2009. - Rods must be selected by April 1, and will be either delivered to guests at Alaska West or shipped upon receipt of final payment for the trip.

Incredible king fishing, spey instruction from Dec Hogan, Dec's book and the rod of your choice - what could be better?

Drop us a line if you'd like to hear more.