Homer Alaska - Sports -

Speaking of fishing, things are starting to wind down as tourists slide south and the metropolis-dwelling Anchorians sequester themselves into a pre-hibernation mode. Most put away their tackle and organize their dens into miniature NFL stadiums while they growl and whine to their mates that bigger is better when it comes to flat screen TVs. That's cool because it leaves a lot more room for the hard core who realize that's there's still some excellent fishing left.

But before we take a look at the state of the State's fishing report let's poke around the Homer Chamber of Commerce's Headquarters and see whassup with the Jackpot derby race.

Coming into the stretch Jeff Pardi of San Rafael, Calif., is still leading pack on the back of his 348.2-pound baby Clydesdale-sized trophy. The jackpot leader harnessed the thoroughbred July 9 while halibut hunting with on the Ocean Hunter captained by Keith Kalke of Ocean Hunter Charters

These folks celebrated Labor Day weekend for a totally different reason, August's biggest flat fish bucks:

First place and $1,000 went to Robert Warner of Lewiston, Idaho, for the310.4-pound mini sub he torpedoed Aug. 3 on the Solitude captained by Larry Croft of Obsession Charters.

Second place along with $750 was nailed down by Alan Eishens of Wasilla, who entered his 253.4-pound slab Aug. 1 after fishing with Capt. George Eishens on the ADAK Venture, a private boat.

David Pereira of Jackson, N.J. seized third place and $500 with the 202-pound beastie he walloped Aug. 3 on the Northern Lights while soaking bait with Capt. Mark Millspaugh of Aurora Sport Fishing.

John True of San Antonio, Texas, was hot on his heels with a 201-pound critter, but had to settle for fourth place and $250. He conked his prize winner Aug. 11 also angling with Capt. Mark Millspaugh on the Northern Lights of Aurora Sport Fishing.

Finally, Sharon Ray of Loreland, Colo., is way happy with her 136-pound flat because that puppy brought her $500 as the August Lady Angler. She put the serious hurt on the butt while fishing with Capt. Tony Arsenault of Falcon Charters.

I don't know if anyone is going to catch ol' Jeff but there's still plenty of money in play out there. There's a flotilla of tagged fish and the slate's clean for September's money monster of the month so keep geared up and your fishfinders on.

OK, it's time to make our final stop at the Alaska Department of Fish and Game this year for its 2008 fall fishing report for the Homer area.

Fresh Waters: Salmon

Starting Sept. 1 through Dec. 31, bait and/or treble/multiple hooks are not allowed in the flowing waters of the Ninilchik and Anchor rivers, and Deep and Stariski creeks. Legal gear is single-hook, non-baited artificial lures/flies. A single hook has only one point. (If you are any way confused by that statement of rules, you shouldn't allowed outside by yourself.)

Fall fishing success on the Homer area streams will fluctuate with changing water conditions associated with periods of rain. For current conditions, check the river levels at internet link http://aprfc.arh.noaa.gov/. (I'll bet ya didn't know that you could do that.)

A small number of silver salmon will continue to enter these streams until mid to late September. Try Spin-n-Glos or small corkies with yarn, flash flies and spinners at dawn and dusk. (Which means you can sleep late and go home early nowadays.)

Steelhead runs on these streams typically peaks in mid-September. The steelhead/rainbow trout fishery is catch-and-release only and they may not be removed from the water. Fly anglers find success by dead-drifting a variety of streamers, leeches and egg patterns.

Dolly Varden will continue to be available through ice-up. Dollies provide excellent action on light tackle and fine eating straight out of the frying pan.

Salt Waters: Halibut

Halibut fishing is still possible in September but as bad weather becomes more frequent boaters with common sense will remain in the harbor. Larger halibut have begun their migration offshore. Remember, the daily bag limit is two halibut, with a possession limit of four.

Salt Waters: Salmon

Silvers continue to enter the Nick Dudiak Fishing Lagoon until mid-September. Try cured salmon eggs or herring on the incoming tide. During slack water in the Lagoon, try fishing bait below a bobber. (This technique also works great as the tide edges up the beach on the outside of The Hole. Same with the receding tide.)

The daily bag and possession limit for silver salmon is six in the Lagoon area.

HEADS UP! The Fishing Lagoon opens to snagging by emergency order in mid-September -- if there are enough fish left. Keep alert for new releases regarding snagging. (That'll probably take all the fun out it for certain dim bulbs, won't it?)

Anglers sometimes find success trolling for "feeder" king salmon throughout late fall and early winter. Feeder kings are fish that are feeding in Lower Cook Inlet, preparing for their eventual return to their home stream. (Save them the trip and keep your freezer full.)

Popular trolling tackle includes herring, hootchies, tube flies and spoons. Try using dodgers or flashers for extra attraction.

Other Salt-water Fishing:

Rockfish are occasionally caught in Lower Cook Inlet while trolling for king salmon. Rockfish may be kept year-round. The daily bag limit in Cook Inlet is five rockfish, no more than one of which may be non-pelagic species. Check the rockfish identification pages in the regulation booklet to identify non-pelagic species. (If nothing else, check it to see what non-pelagic means)

Shellfish

Both razor and hardshell clams sport fisheries are open the entire year. You will need a lantern or strong flashlight if the minus tides occur after dark. (You also need to be a tad nuts.) Few people brave the winter conditions to participate in these fisheries but those looking for a "lonely feeling" experience will find it out there this time of year.

There are literally miles of good razor clam beaches available from north of the Anchor River to Cape Kasilof. The limit is the first 60 razor clams dug and no more the 120 in possession. All razor clams dug must be kept.

Hardshell clams are found on gravel beaches on the south side of Kachemak Bay and are most commonly accessed by boat from Homer Harbor.

Butter and littleneck clams have different size and limit restrictions. Pictures in the sport fishing regulation book can help you learn to recognize the differences and to avoid taking undersized clams. Bury your discarded clams neck up -- they can't do it themselves and will kick the bucket. Additionally, fill in any holes dug in search of clams for the protection of the other beach creatures in the hole and to prevent smothering animals under the beach gravel you have piled up.

Subsistence, personal-use and sport fisheries for Tanner crab are open until March 15 in the waters of Cook Inlet and the North Gulf Coast. A permit is required prior to harvesting. Other Tanner crab regulations are printed on the permit and in a handout available from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.

Fisheries for king crab, Dungeness crab and shrimp in Cook Inlet remain closed.

That's it for Casting About this year. I want to thank all of you who have sent your tips and rants my way. If you happen upon a frozen hulk with a rod in his hand standing along some body of water this winter, please pour some hot coffee down my throat, let me thaw and then suggest I go home. Unfortunately, there's no rehab for my kind of addiction.

Nick C. Varney can be reached at ncvarney@gmail.com.