Such was the sad case Saturday as I sat at the Fishing Hole, watching schools of silvers avoid my bait.

Despairing anglers from all over the country were shocked to see so many bright salmon in the water. And most of them were surprised that so few were biting.

For my part, the only fish I hooked was by chance, as I snagged the broken monofilament hanging from the mouth of a formerly escaped salmon.

My Fishing Hole neighbor had landed a fish hooked in the same manner just moments before, but I was not as lucky. As my fish broke free from its second captor, I realized the summer fishing season, too, was slipping away.

The king fishing season in Kenai Peninsula waters has come and gone, and the big runs of reds in the Kasilof and Kenai rivers are probably behind us.

I sat at the Fishing Hole, thought about my half-empty freezer back home and cursed my luck.

But as I drove home empty handed once again, my mood slowly changed. I checked the calendar, looked at the regulations book and once again hope overshadowed my despair.

Aug. 1 marks the beginning of the always entertaining Dolly Varden season on the upper Anchor River.

Also, on Sunday, the Fishing Hole Fundraisers will hold a fishing derby to raise money for the second-run silver stocking program.

And beginning Friday, big minus tides hit the clamming beaches of Kachemak Bay.

Looking at my options, I realized all was not lost.

It seems that while hope might spring eternal, the fall season on the Peninsula provides its own rewards.

And if that doesn't work, moose season is just around the corner.

Halibut

Fishing from Homer to Deep Creek continued to be very good last week. Fish in the 20- to 30-pound range were common and a few large fish were caught as well. Weather is the key factor in how anglers fare on any given day.

Marine king salmon

King fishing has slowed in the Anchor Point to Ninilchik marine water with most anglers trolling up to a mile from shore using cut herring and spinners. Feeder kings in the 10- to 20-pound range are being caught near Bluff Point and Point Pogibshi.

Fishing Hole

Silvers are thick in the Fishing Hole right now and should continue to pour in each high tide. Fishing the channel during tide changes is producing the best success as these fresh fish are more willing to take the bait.

The daily bag and possession limit for silver salmon is six in the Fishing Hole area and three outside.

Snagging is not allowed in the Fishing Hole area.

Personal use

The China Poot dipnet fishery continues to be open to Alaska residents until Aug. 7. The bag and possession limits are six sockeye salmon per person per day.

Clams

The next series of clamming tides run from July 29 to Aug. 4.

Dolly Varden

Dollies continue to enter the Anchor River, Deep Creek and Ninilchik River. Anglers may retain two per day with two in possession with no size limit. Beginning Aug. 1, the upper sections of the Anchor River and Deep Creek open for Dolly Varden and trout fishing. Rainbows and steelhead may not be retained and must be released immediately without removing them from the water.

Tight lines.