I have heard from many of you complaining that those &#@*% fish are driving some of you nuts at the Fishing Lagoon. Especially when the tide’s out and they cruise in packs, rudely ignoring your primo baits and flashy spinners while flipping you the fin.

First, remember they are fish. What time of day are you fishing? They deplore sunlight and are spooked by shadows. You’ll have better luck picking them up midst the dawning hours or as the sun melts into the sea.

Cool overcast skies and maybe a touch of rain will increase your chances of getting hits throughout the day.

If you prefer to use eggs, don’t slop on a glop so huge they create a wake when they hit the water. A small dab will do ya. Make it a no-brainer for them to snarf up your come-ons. Don’t use a bobber that could serve as a tsunami warning buoy either. A torpedo-shaped foam float (Google “silver salmon bobber”) offers little resistance if a salmon takes an exploratory nip and they are less likely to spit it. Also, as I’ve mentioned before, don’t take a rip like you’re trying to tear the jaws out of their heads as soon as the bobber goes under. Let the fish run (I usually count to five) and then smack it. You’ll have a much better shot at a solid hook-up, trust me.

If you hurl herring, use the smaller ones that your prey can get their chops around. These aren’t kings. I saw some stuff being thrown out there that could probably choke a thieving asshat seal. Come to think of it … never mind.

One last suggestion, when you see the schools coming your way, throw ten or so yards just ahead of the horde and, as they approach your float, slightly twitch your line. This will make your herring flash and/or draw attention to your eggs.

Time now to take a look at the fishing report for week of Aug. 4.

Freshwater Fishing

Coho salmon are starting to show up in small numbers in the lower Kenai Peninsula roadside streams. Try fishing near the mouth during the incoming tide or near daybreak to catch newly arriving silvers. The use of bait will be allowed for the month of August in the lower sections.

The upper sections of the lower Kenai Peninsula roadside streams were opened to sport fishing on Aug. 1, but expect dollie fishing to be a drag at times. Take a crack at dead drifting beads.

Saltwater Fishing

Kachemak Bay/Cook Inlet

Groundfish

Continued good marine weather produced fine catches of halibut last week. For those anglers wanting to stay closer to the harbor because of the mixed bag of weather forecasted this week, the Compass Rose has been doing well.

Anglers are kicking it with lingcod along the outer coast. Fishing should continue to be productive on conducive weather days.

Surf fishing has remained a hoot for those anglers who prefer to keep their boots on terra firma.

Whiskey Gulch and Deep Creek continue to be excellent locations to launch lines for the ‘buts and other creatures. Same goes for fishing off the tip of the Homer Spit which offers a cornucopia of groundfish including halibut, sculpins, skates, sharks, flounders, cod and even salmon.

King Salmon

King salmon fishing was ugly to so-so last week. Good news. There are fewer, “land of the living dead” pinks at Point Pogibshi, which means less rod action but is still likely the best place to whack a king within Cook Inlet right now.

Fishing at the mouth of Kachemak Bay has been more productive for both coho and king salmon. Small troll herring or spoons behind a flasher is the most popular setup, but hootchies and tube flies will do the job too.

Sockeye Salmon

China Poot personal use dipnet fishery is still being generous producing limits but is laying off the gas with some of the sockeye in the creek starting to sign up for Medicare.

Coho Salmon

Anglers are having slow to fair success with silvers in the Dudiak Lagoon depending on the tide. The best fishing is occurring on the incoming or outgoing tide and should improve again as tides build this week. Try eggs or cut herring under a bobber. Also look for jumpers along the east side of the Homer Spit. High tide in mud bay is an excellent time to catch some from the outer east shore.

There are scattered reports of coho from anglers within Cook Inlet but the best catches are on the outer coast. Silvers are beginning to be caught near the mouth of Kachemak Bay. Try trolling for them the same way you would for kings.

Emergency Orders

Ninilchik River Closed to King Salmon Fishing

Sport Fishing for King Salmon Closed in Upper Cook Inlet Salt Waters

King Salmon Bag Limit Reduced from 2 to 1 in Lower Cook Inlet Salt Waters

Rockfish bag limit reduction: 2 pelagic, 1 non-pelagic.

For additional information, please contact the Homer ADF&G Office at 907-235-8191.

Nick can be reached at ncvarney@gmail.com.