Nick Varney

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Nick Varney

Reeling ‘Em In: Kings still around at fishing hole while silvers not yet here

The weather was phenomenal over the Fourth of July weekend. Visitors, as well as locals, seemed to enjoy barbecuing themselves along with the goodies they… Continue reading

 

Reeling ‘Em In: Fishing Hole snagarama ends today

The Spit’s Fishing Hole has been sort of drag lately. In fact, things became so grim that the lagoon’s mayor, Tom, gave up the ghost… Continue reading

 

Reeling ‘Em In: Nick offers tips on catching those Fishin’ Hole kings

Last Sunday, around o-dark-thirty, the action heated up at the Spit’s fishing lagoon, according to its mayor, Tom, who has been keeping vampire hours out… Continue reading

 

Nick Varney

Reeling ‘Em In: King run is fishing hole is good, but neurotic

The kings are coming into The Fishing Hole in heftier schools, but they remain Beverly Hills snobbish when it comes to what and when they… Continue reading

Nick Varney
Fishermen young and old try their luck at the Nick Dudiak Fishing Lagoon on June 4, 2020, on the Homer Spit in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Reeling ‘Em In: Action picking up at the fishing hole

Well, you can sure tell that the summer season is starting to kick loose on the Spit. A vet buddy called to report that, just… Continue reading

Fishermen young and old try their luck at the Nick Dudiak Fishing Lagoon on June 4, 2020, on the Homer Spit in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Reeling ‘Em In: Honkin’ tides present fishing challenges

Double check your gear folks. Honkin’ tides are heading our way and hopefully, fishing action will start firing on all cylinders in the open freshwater… Continue reading

Reeling ‘Em In: Nick is back with summer fishin’ report

Howdy folks. Yep, we’re back and wish to offer our apologies for not having the usual fishing report ready last week. Chalk it up to… Continue reading

Nick Varney

Unhinged: Believe it or not, there’s a bright side

Don’t worry, I’m not going to jump into the COVID-19 kerfuffle.

Nick Varney
Nick Varney

Unhinged Alaska: Once upon a phone call

“Why don’t ya cut out the jester routine and get down to some serious investigative reporting?”

Nick Varney
Nick Varney

Unhinged Alaska: Sea Side Story: ‘The Rumble’

Well done, September.

Nick Varney

Reeling ‘Em In: Nick says ‘So long, and thanks for all the feedback, tips and tales’

Before we roll into the last fishing report for the season, I’d like to say that it has been another great run especially because of… Continue reading

Reeling ‘Em In: Hare v. Pheasants could be plot of Homer ‘Sea Side Story’

Last week, as dawn morphed from a dull steel radiance to a crimson ember’s glow, I had just stepped out of the cabin to head… Continue reading

Reeling ‘Em In: Labor Day tourism was slow, but fishing was smokin’ hot

Over the Labor Day weekend, the Homer Spit looked as though the holiday had been over for a month. The lack of RVs, tents and… Continue reading

Reeling ‘Em In: Alas, poor Thrasher — it’s time for Nick’s revered fishing rod to retire

As the summer teeters on the border’s edge of August and September, I have come to the solemn conclusion that I must retire my favorite… Continue reading

Reeling ‘Em In: Smoky days didn’t stop Nick from catching some righteous cohos

Last week was a bit wild with the fire flare ups, road closures and hanging smoke. Until the winds finally showed up, the inside of… Continue reading

Reeling ‘Em In: Silvers won’t get relief from sun until later in the month

It looks as though the weather forecast bodes well for sun worshipers and vendors hawking SPF 100 body-goop that claims to prevent the human hide… Continue reading

Reeling ‘Em In: How to introduce a youngster to Alaska fishing — and get skunked, too

Have you ever experienced a quintessential week of angling where you were able to introduce a young visitor to such a cool Alaska adventure? Most… Continue reading

Reeling ‘Em In: Finicky silvers have specific bait requirements, doncha know

Update: This came in too late for the Homer News prime time edition of the paper but in time for a web heads-up. A Youth-Only… Continue reading

Reeling ‘Em In: Try Nick’s smart tips for catching silvers at The Fishin’ Hole

I received an unusual amount of mail last week bemoaning the fact that even more silvers are rolling into the Nick Dudiak Lagoon, but they… Continue reading

Anglers fish on July 15, 2019, at the mouth of the Nick Dudiak Fishing Lagoon in Homer, Alaska. Rain fell over the weekend after a weeks-long stretch of sunny weather. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Reeling ‘Em In: Learn the difference between kings and silvers

Although I haven’t seen much to get riled up about the return of the silvers to the Nick Dudiak Lagoon yet, I have noticed more… Continue reading

Anglers fish on July 15, 2019, at the mouth of the Nick Dudiak Fishing Lagoon in Homer, Alaska. Rain fell over the weekend after a weeks-long stretch of sunny weather. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)