Reel Times Newsletter
April 2019
Issue 16
Tied up in knots - taking a closer look at some basic fishing knots
Spring is almost here. And with the coming of spring, many anglers begin to prepare for open-water fishing trips. Attention to fishing gear is crucial to a successful day on the water. Old fishing line should be changed, reels should be cleaned and lubricated and tackle boxes should be re-organized. This is a good time of year to prepare for the coming fishing season.
One important aspect of fishing that seemingly doesn’t get a lot of attention is using the proper fishing knots to attach line to the hook, swivel, lure or fly. There are several types of knots anglers can utilize to connect fishing line to a hook, swivel, lure or fly, or knots used to connect two different types of line together. Some knots are more complicated and time consuming to tie than others.
In this issue of Reel Times we take a look at some basic fishing knots. We’ve created a few videos demonstrating the techniques used to tie these types of knots. In addition, we’re presenting some region-specific information on fishing opportunities in different parts of the state. Lastly, the “Fly of the Month” is a baitfish pattern that is relatively easy to tie and can be fished in either salt or freshwater.
Don’t forget you’ll need a 2019 fishing license before heading out this year. Getting your sport fishing license is easy – check out our online store!
If you have a comment or story ideas for Reel Times, we encourage you to send them our way. You can send comments to terry.thompson@alaska.gov.
We encourage you to share your fishing story on social media using #wefishak.
Tight lines!
Division of Sport Fish
Alaska Department of Fish and Game
Four types of fishing knots
Four common fishing knots used by anglers include the Improved Clinch knot, the Palomar knot, the Double-Uni knot and the Surgeon’s knot. The Improved Clinch knot and the Palomar knot are used to tie line to a hook, swivel, lure or fly. And the Double-Uni and the Surgeon’s knot are used to connect two different types of fishing line.
Improved Clinch knot
The Improved Clinch knot is a very common fishing knot. This knot is easy to tie and is most often used to connect fishing line to a hook, swivel, lure or fly. This knot is best used when working with monofilament or fluorocarbon lines.
Palomar knot
The Palomar knot is an easy knot to tie and can be used when working with braided line, monofilament or fluorocarbon lines.
Double Uni knot
The Double Uni knot is used when connecting two different pieces of fishing lines with equal or unequal diameters. This knot can be used to connect various types of fishing lines including braided line, monofilament or fluorocarbon lines.
Surgeon’s knot
The Surgeon’s knot is a strong knot that is easy to tie. This knot is used when connecting two different types of fishing line with equal or unequal diameters.
Watch the video on how to tie these knots here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xdGaxcOQl6g
Egg Loop knot
The Egg Loop knot is a knot used to secure bait to the shank of the hook, rather than having to pierce the bait with the point of the hook. The Egg Loop knot is used extensively by many salmon anglers who use cured salmon roe as bait. This knot takes some time to master, but is an extremely effective knot to use when making your own leaders.
Watch the video on how to tie this knot here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XndgxVD-Rl0.
Fly of the Month Video: A Baitfish Fly Pattern
This baitfish style fly pattern is easy to tie and can be used to target species in salt or freshwater. This pattern utilizes only a few materials and can be tied in a variety of colors.
This fly pattern would be effective when targeting a number of saltwater species including rockfish and salmon (or any other species that prey on baitfish). Anglers could use this pattern to target northern pike in freshwater.
Watch a video tutorial on how to tie this fly pattern here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxddggheT9Q
Prince William Sound Shrimp
The Prince William Sound Shrimp Pot Fishery opens April 15 and goes to September 15. Permits are required to participate in this fishery, residents and nonresidents with a current year’s sport fishing license may participate. Permits are available on the ADF&G online store. There is an emergency order in effect for this fishery that reduces the number of pots allowed per person and per vessel. So be sure to read it in its entirety before you head out.
Check Out Regional Updates!
Southeast Alaska
Spring is here! Grab your spinning rod or fly rod, waders and some tackle, its prime time for spring trout fishing and Ketchikan has something to offer every trout angler.
Steelhead kick off the fishing season first arriving in April and begin to peak in late April continuing through mid-May while rainbow and cutthroat trout can be found throughout Ketchikan’s many lakes and streams. Catch rates typically pick up as water temperatures rise and trout become more active, feeding on insects and salmon fry emerging from the stream gravel. Some of best fishing locations are lake inlets and outlets, stream mouths, confluences, and large pools.
Roadside anglers can pursue rainbow and cutthroat trout along streams and lakes such as Ward Lake, Ward Creek, Talbot Lake and Ketchikan Creek. Ward Lake/Creek drainage is conveniently located on the Ketchikan road system and a prime location to target cutthroat, rainbow and steelhead. There is excellent access to the entire lake and inlet stream via a U.S. Forest Service trail system. Centrally located in town is Carlanna Lake. Take the kids on a hike and fish for rainbow trout from one of the fishing platforms along the trail. Carlanna Lake was previously stocked with rainbows and is one of few locations where bait is allowed. For another fun family excursion, take the ferry to Gravina Island and fish for cutthroat in the small lakes peppered along the roadside.
Anglers seeking cutthroat trout in a remote pristine environment may want to consider chartering a flight into one of the many remote lakes with a U.S. Forest Service Cabin, some of which can also be accessed by boat and/or hiking trail. Six lakes in the Ketchikan area (Manzanita, Humpback, Patching, Orchard, Reflection and Wilson lakes) are managed to produce trophy cutthroat trout, with a minimum size requirement of 25 inches. The state record cutthroat trout was caught in Wilson Lake in 1977 weighing 8 pounds 6 ounces! For more detailed access information and to rent cabins, go to http://www.recreation.gov/
Prime remote locations for spring steelhead include the Naha River Drainage, McDonald Lake or Fish Creek in Thorne Arm. All three have U.S. Forest Service cabins and are accessible by floatplane or boat (Naha and Fish Creek). Steelhead in these systems are catch and release only, be careful handling and releasing your catch. Click the link to learn more about Catch and Release Methods.
Be sure to check the 2019 Southeast Alaska Sport Fishing Regulations. The Ketchikan Area Freshwater Special Regulations can be found on page 30-32. Regulations vary depending on the waters you plan to fish.
Southcentral Alaska
In Southcentral Alaska, April 1 marks the official opening of the Eulachon or “hooligan” personal use season for Alaska residents. Hooligan are found in many waterways throughout Alaska. For Alaskans, the arrival of these silvery blue, slim body fish species tends to be a sign that the summer fishing season is coming, and the bigger fish are not too far behind.
- Twentymile River: With its close proximity to Anchorage, the Twentymile River is the most popular spot to dipnet for hooligan, in saltwater and freshwater. Because of its popularity, speed limits along the highway are reduced in this area during the hooligan dipnetting season. So be courteous, cautious, slow down, and do not block the boat launch. As always, take with you what you brought and do not leave trash behind.
- Kenai River: Try dipnetting near the mouth of the Kenai River and move upriver as the run and season progresses. Dipnetter can harvest hooligan around Cunningham Park, Soldotna Creek Park, and occasionally up to Bing’s Landing depending on run strength and timing. Hooligan fishing should be more productive toward the end of May and early-June with the more typical spring-like weather pattern.
- Susitna and Yentna rivers: Hooligan fishing typically peaks on the Susitna River during Memorial Day weekend. Try dipnetting along sand bars on the lower Susitna River and by mid-May, excellent catches are usually reported downstream of the Yentna-Susitna confluence.
Just a reminder, the open season for hooligan in salt waters is April 1–May 31; in fresh waters, it is April 1 - June 15. Hooligan may be taken by dip net in any fresh or salt water during the open season. Be sure to review the 2019 Southcentral Sport Fishing Regulations Summary booklet for additional information.
For updates on hooligan runs, please contact the local ADF&G area office at 907-267-2218.
Reel Times Tip of the Month: Do you having fishing questions?
Our staff is well-educated on local fishing opportunities and sport fishing regulations. If you ever have any question related to fishing in Alaska, or about regulations, please give one of our local offices a call. Office contacts are listed here: https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=contacts.main
Field to Plate - Recipe of the Month
Do you like sliders? How about making sliders with fish? Enjoy this Alaska-seafood based slider recipe from our friends at the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute. If you’re unable to find Alaska sole, you can substitute any white, flaky fish in this recipe. Or, try using salmon. Happy cooking!
If you have any questions about the Reel Times newsletter, please contact Terry Thompson at terry.thompson@alaska.gov