May 2020 FishAlaskaMagazine.com 1 Volume 21 • Issue 5 • May 2020 64 Krumm © George Departments Features Traveler 6 Stillwater 36 Bouncing with the Hangback Circle Creel 8 Conservation 38 by Francis Estalilla, MD 42 Gear Bag 10 Fish For the Future 40 With catch-and-release king fishing becoming more and more popular, and in many instances, mandated, doing so with minimal hooking Fishing for a Compliment 14 Recipe 92 mortality is the conscientious thing to do. The hangback-circle rig, Salmon Sense 18 Online 94 whether backbounced or backtrolled, with or without bait, achieves Fly 22 Advertiser Index 97 lower hooking mortality than typical J-hooks while providing an Boats 24 Final Drift 98 impressive hook-to-land ratio. Francis tells you how to do it. Saltwater 34 Backtrolling for Big Kings by JD Richey 54 “If you’re looking to target the biggest, baddest king salmon in the river this summer, backtrolling plugs is the way to go,” according to JD. From flatlining and backbouncing, to the gear needed to score, JD tells you how to take advantage of a Chinook’s seeming hatred for wiggling plugs invading their space. Long Rod King Tactics by George Krumm 64 Regarding Pacific salmon, Chinook are the biggest of the big, the baddest of the bad. Catching one on fly gear is a special accomplishment. Specific gear and techniques are necessary, and George Krumm shares his experience with two techniques and the equipment used for each. Spring Halibut & Kings in Cook Inlet by Rudy Tsukada 74 Francis Estalilla Francis © 42 Kayak fishing for king salmon and halibut is totally doable in Alaska’s lower Cook Inlet. Rudy Tsukada shares his experience targeting both species from a ‘yak. A daily limit of one king and two halibut is certainly possible, and is a great way to start your open-water season. Four Kings per Day by Joe Byers 84 In this day of limited abundance, there are still places where Chinook bag limits are liberal. Some of the terminal fisheries, with large numbers of bonkable hatchery kings, can provide great fishing and full fish boxes. Joe Byers relays his experience fishing for kings in Blind Slough near Petersburg. JD Richey © 54 COVER / Noel Estalilla prepares to release a personal-best 52-inch Kenai tidewater king caught in late July while backtrolling a naked (no bait) Flash & Spin Cheater. © Francis Estalilla 2 FishAlaskaMagazine.com May 2020 May 2020 FishAlaskaMagazine.com 3 PUBLISHERS Marcus Weiner Melissa Norris ASSOCIATE PUBLISHERS Patrick Speranza Kathy Anderson EDITOR George Krumm OPERATIONS MANAGER Wayne Norris EFFICIENCY MANAGER Ana Taylor ART DIRECTOR Bailey Anderson PRODUCTION MANAGER Russell K. Porsley III GRAPHIC DESIGNER Melissa Wong DIGITAL MARKETING Kimmy Jones CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Greg Brush, Troy Buzalsky, Andrew Cremata, Scott Haugen, Pudge Kleinkauf, J.D. Richey, Terry Sheely, E. Donnall Thomas Jr., Jeremy Anderson, Nicholas Ohlrich CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Kate Crump, Tony Davis, Kristin Dunn, Anthony Madden, Brian Woobank REGIONAL SALES MANAGER Rick Birch (907) 394-1763 Fish Alaska Magazine PO Box 772424 Eagle River, Alaska 99577 Toll Free 1-877-220-0787 (907) 345-4337 main (907) 223-8497 advertising FishAlaskaMagazine.com ISSN 2475-5710 (print) ISSN 2475-5729 (online) SUBSCRIBE TODAY! Check out our specials at FishAlaskaMagazine.com Already a Subscriber? Call for our renewal specials! (907)-345-4337 Toll Free: 1-877-220-0787 Fish Alaska magazine is published ten times annually in January-July, Aug/Sept, Oct/Nov and December by Fish Alaska Publications, LLC, P.O. Box 772424, Eagle River, Alaska 99577. Send all address changes to P.O. Box 772424, Eagle River, Alaska 99577. One year subscriptions are $30 U.S. dollars for subscriptions in the U.S., $50 U.S in Canada, and $80 U.S. in all other countries.The single copy price is $6.99 in U.S. dollars. To subscribe by phone please call 907-345-4337. Editorial correspondence should be sent to Attn: Editor, Fish Alaska magazine, P.O. Box 772424, Eagle River, Alaska 99577. Unsolicited manuscripts and photos will be considered, but must be accompanied by a self- addressed stamped envelope. Although we will take care, Fish Alaska is not responsible for the loss or return of unsolicited materials. The opinions expressed in this magazine are not necessarily the opinions of Fish Alaska magazine publishers and editors. ©2020 by Fish Alaska Publications, LLC. All rights reserved. 4 FishAlaskaMagazine.com May 2020 May 2020 FishAlaskaMagazine.com 5 family,” said Tiera. “I feel like they are as committed to my educational prize is awarded to the lodge hosting the winning fisherman. Last success as I am.” year, Toman’s took it. Kingfishers reigned the first year. Tiera is now working on her PhD at the University of Alaska First prize is up for grabs at the next derby, but David’s got his Anchorage, focusing on clinical community psychology with a eye on it for his grandson, Brock. “That would be so cool if he The Neqa Derby rural and indigenous emphasis. Eventually she plans to return to could catch the winning fish,” he said. “The truth is you’ve got Story by Mariah Oxford, photo by Misty Nielsen Photography Dillingham, which she said has a high need for behavioral health to sacrifice time and resources to go and do this. You could go to services. Even though her studies have taken her away from home, Disneyland any day of the week, but you cannot match going to Fishing in Bristol Bay is often a family affair. Multiple generations grow up commercial, she goes back each summer to commercial fish. She also practices Alaska. It’s remote, and thank goodness the internet doesn’t work subsistence, and sportfishing. David Baldwin and his friends make the journey from Las subsistence fishing, using techniques and preparation methods handed at camp or on the river. Taking a 14-year-old out of Las Vegas, Vegas to the Nushagak River every year, sometimes bringing kids or grandkids. down through generations. away from school and his friends, to a place with more primitive “It’s a magical place,” said David. “You float down the river, bounce your rig behind you, Participants see some of those on display at Neqa Derby conditions, where we get rained on and it gets cold…well, you’ve look over and see bear and moose. We’ve usually got three guys in a boat, and sometimes all headquarters. Marie Paul, BBNC Education Foundation Board got to communicate with each other, you’ve got to laugh, and take three have fish on. You dance on the boat trying to keep your lines clear of each other. It’s Chair, is the master of the fish table. Anglers are encouraged to donate lots of pictures. If we don’t share this experience with younger just a thrill.” parts of their kings, like the prized heads, which are given to elders to generations, that love of the outdoors will be lost, and there won’t Two years ago David took top prize in a new king-salmon derby with a 31-pound fish. He make favorite dishes like fish head soup, smoked bellies, and salunaq be anyone to have the thrill of having done it.” earned a cash award and more: bragging rights as the first Neqa Derby winner. (salted fish). “It’s a privilege to be on the land and be able to do something Neqa is the word for “fish” in Yup’ik, one of three Native cultures in Bristol Bay. The Many derby participants stay at Toman’s King Camp, also a family that raises funds that allows students to pursue their dreams,” said event benefits the Bristol Bay Native Corporation Education Foundation, which provides venture started by father/son duo Bob and Jeremy Toman in 1991. It’s Aleesha. “We hope people are interested in helping us achieve our scholarships to shareholder students. It also funds cultural programs that preserve and a bustling spot on the river that accommodates around 40 guests at a mission, and also want to come fish! Bringing in a big king really strengthen Alaska Native heritage and knowledge. time during the four-week king-salmon run. “We built the business as is the ultimate thrill—especially when you share it with family.” “When we created the Derby, we wanted a fundraiser that would be fun and bring a family-type camp,” explained Jeremy. “It’s a fun fishery, and we make More information on the Neqa Derby is at neqaderby.com. attention to traditional cultural activities on the land,” explained Aleesha Towns-Bain, camp fun. We’ve had three generations of people there every year— fathers, sons, grandfathers, and granddaughters. Providing a way for all those family members to share something together is one of the BBNCEF Board Chair Marie Paul cuts things I enjoy about it.” Mariah Oxford is an Anchorage-based freelance writer who was donated fish on the banks of the Andi Hakansan joined Toman’s crew five years ago and quickly brought up on the banks of the Clearwater River in northern Idaho. Nushagak. Fishermen donated their became an integral part of the operation, as the “mom” who makes Her top fishing stat: clipping the adipose fins from more than 10,000 heads and bellies to be preserved for sure everyone has what they need. Bob passed away last fall, so this steelhead in two weeks while working at the Dworshak National Fish elders and local community members. year’s return will be bittersweet. However, there will be an occasion Hatchery. to celebrate: When the king run is over, Andi and Jeremy plan to get married on the banks of the Nushagak.