Prelude to 2024 Sockeye on the Keani

Just a quick overview of our upcoming Sockeye season on the Kenai.

[@rcs6032]

Ready!!!

[@Alaskahuntr]

I will be there 23rd of July - 3 Aug. Got all the circle rigs tied up for this year, so will let you know how it goes. Maybe will see you on the river and say "Hi"!! Bringing the whole family as usual, so we are excited! Also, will be checking on our cabin build on our property off Funny River Road.

[@tundratoad7046]

You'll be in my neck of the woods, so it's possible we could stumble into one another. Good Luck!

[@krisswegemer1163]

Yep, can't wait. It'll be my first season with circle hooks. Thanks for all the advice and help.

[@tundratoad7046]

Good luck! Let me know how the Circles work out for you.

[@tundratoad7046]

👍

[@Randy_Savage_ohyeah]

Gonna give a big effort this year to use circle hooks. Your naked circle with just the bead, is that legal? I know you can use just a bead which I prefer, but thought it had to be free floating on the line or pinned at least 2” above the hook. Just curious and best of luck this year!

[@tundratoad7046]

Thanks for your comment! In answer to your question "is that legal", let me put forth the following. "In flowing waters: Beads fished AHEAD of flies, lures, or bare hooks must be fixed within 2 inches of the hook or be free sliding on the line or leader." I attach a bead by forming an Egg Loop Knot with four or five wraps behind the eye, then slide a bead on before running the leader down thru the eye. The result is that the leader winds up parallel to the Circles point, and if the mood strikes me I'll slide on a bit of yarn behind the bead. In any case, the bead is not AHEAD of the hook. Hope this helps and GOOD LUCK!

[@Randy_Savage_ohyeah]

Thank you for the clarification!

[@TrapperScottyAlaskan]

So the circle snags less fish ? New concept for me, but it makes sense. Been fishing 3 n 4 octopus with bead for many years. I dont fish the russian for this reason. I dont fish your spot, there, I fish the opposite side and use the opposite arm to plunk. Right arm on the downstream side sweep. Huge difference for me

[@tundratoad7046]

Yep! I’ve found that Circles (tied on properly) are the hands down winner when it comes to legally hooking Reds. I haven’t fished the Russian in years, but if the fit hits me I’ll use a Gamakatsu Nautilus or the Kraken in 1/0. I’ve tested them on the the lower Kenai mainstream and they worked just fine. Good luck and let me know how the Circles work for you.​​⁠@@TrapperScottyAlaskant

[@tundratoad7046]

P.S. I’ll use the 1/0’s with fly patterns I’ve tied.