Pink (Humpy) Salmon
The pink salmon has a bum rap! They are so prolific, and so eager to bite,
that locals often shun them in favor of less abundant salmon that are
harder to catch.
Personally, I think pink salmon are “God’s gift to the angler!” They are
just plain FUN! Pinks are extremely aggressive, striking nearly any flashy
lure you put in front of them! You can cast spinners, spoons or jigs,
backtroll plugs, or just let a bait sit in the current if you are tired…it
may take a little longer, but a pesky pink WILL find it! This makes August
pink fishing the PERFECT fishery for anyone who just wants to catch lots
of fish; woman, child, novice or expert…pinks are fun!
And make no mistake, these 4-10 pound fish fight very hard for their size!
On the light tackle we use, they will give you a real test! The limit is
liberal, and contrary to what the locals say, they are good eating IF
SELECTIVELY HARVESTED! Normally we fish catch and release, letting 90% of
them go, taking only the freshest and firmest pinks possible IF guests
want to bring home lots of salmon. When picked thru, they make wonderful
smoke salmon, complimenting your silver salmon fillets that you save for
the grill!
In this area, pinks return in droves every other year (on even numbered
years only, i.e. 2008, 2020, 2012, etc.) and create the wildest and
craziest fishery imaginable! In the Kenai River alone, our pink run is 1.2
to 2.2 million fish! Yes, million!!
We search out back-eddies and side channels to locate giant schools that
hold thousands of salmon-and cast away! During peak season, you can expect
to land 75-175 fish per boat, sometimes more. Double and even triple
hook-ups are common, and occasionally we even have four on at a time! It
can be mayhem, and your guide will be twisting them off as fast as you can
bring them to the boat. You will likely need to take a break now and then
to allow your fore-arm to rest!
Now here is the best part: silver salmon return at the same time of year
(August) and tend to “hold” in the same water column as pinks, so you can
catch 8, 10 or 15 pinks…and then a bigger, wilder silver! Then start
casting again and catch 8, 10 or 15 pinks….and another silver! Repeat! In
my book, there is NOTHING MORE FUN in fishing!
Check out more Pink photos from EZ Limit.
