2nd Annual Whiskey Gulch Yak Classic...is going to have issues....

Ok.  Eating lunch, reading some articles and daydreaming about when I get to go out next. What caught my eye was a this article that basically says Kenai River King Salmon is projected to be a complete bust this year.  While we won't be targeting them, what it does do is shut down the Whiskey Gulch area potentially for King salmon fishing.  http://www.alaskadispatch.com/article/20140121/bleak-king-salmon-run-predicted-alaskas-world-famous-kenai-river-summer

I was thinking the weekend before Memorial day in case people have plans with family and such.  I don't want to panic because we do have a few options.

A) Keep it where it is and total points over two days just for halibut.

B) Move it down to Homer or even have a small entry fee to allow for a Water taxi ride to somewhere on the "other side"  It'd be fairly cheap... I think its less than $100 per person normal price for two people and if we got a group together I could probably find someone to do it as a sponsorship for a decent discount.

C) Any other suggested options...I am all ears!

Finally I am trying to get clearance from the family CEO/CFO to see about donating some airline miles to see if I can't convince someone from outside of Alaska who is a contributing member of this forum to come up and fish this tournament with us.  I have no clue how that would happen and given a few unexpected issues, the odds are only 50/50 but I thought I'd throw it out there.  I am pretty sure the other Alaskan folks would help in terms of transportation down to the location, camping equipment, and such.  I have an extra kayak as do a few other members ( I apologize in advance, I don't mean to offer up other people's equipment.  I just know that we have some pretty cool folks up here).

A little help please!! 

Hmmm.  With miles and borrowed gear, it sounds affordable.  Thinking I'd have a hard time getting that past the master scheduler.  The possibility of coming home with halibut though might be sufficient temptation.  Always wanted to visit Alaska too. 

Doubt it would work, but if I don't try it certainly won't.

 I know my work schedule isn't compatible with the Homer Winter King Derby.
 I'll check to see how it'll work out for the weekend before Memorial Day.
 Working 3 weeks on/3 weeks off I will make every effort possible to hook up with our Alaska folks for some time on the water. Of course-because I'll be there already--Just need to extend my time up there to allow for some fishing.

 Rudy-that's a super generous offer I hope somebody who has never been to Alaska will take advantage of. Such an opportunity--- someone needs to jump all over this.

 Just checked my work calendar----------I'm off work from May 9th until May 30th. Which means I WILL BE OFF during that time period. Sweeeeet. I'm starting to make plans now.

A few comments....

Since I've been up here, every year has been a sky is falling year for the kings on the peninsula.  And if the rumors are true, it will be for the foreseeable future.  Thus attempting to plan something around them could prove to be frustrating.

May has been pretty slow fishing for me the last 2 years for anything, especially out of the kayak.  In addition, I won't be in town for your proposed dates.

I would suggest moving it to later in June when the weather is nicer and more fish are in, that way those that travel farther distances actually have a chance to take fish home and we don't have to camp in the snow.  With it being after memorial day, camping spots could be problematic, but I could go down and steal some good ones a few days in advance.

If we moved it to Homer, we could pick a yurt to rent or camp on the beach for a night, or even stay in seldovia.  If we moved it to Seward, we coulda catch more species.

The options are pretty open, unless you are dead set on keeping it at WG.  Each place has its pros and cons, just need to pick the best spot for success.

I've got a few miles I could kick in, and a yak or 2 that could be used if needed

 Kenai-guy makes some good points...restrictions on kings, snow camping, and fewer fish early.
 Looking at last years results----some fish were caught. One King and two halibut. Not great catching but the conditions weren't all that great either
 Here is a link to last years  thread--Topic: Inaugural NWKA Whiskey Gulch Yak Classic - May 18th & 19th  (Read 3125 times)  (I hope that links up--if not go to page 2 of Alaska thread)

 Later in June works for me also.
 Location------doesn't matter to me at all...Kachameck Bay, Ressurrection Bay, PWS, wherever ....not positive about more species out of Seward. Pretty sure ling season isn't open til July 1st. If that makes any difference.

 Whatever you guys decide-I do want to fish with y'all this year. I will keep an eye out for more info.

Yeah, I would rather see the competition be who catches the biggest fish, not just who actually catches one.

Lings open July 1, but you can catch flounder, rockfish, halibut, and a few others out of Seward.

Im game for anything

Good input.  I'm not wed to anything.  My sole purpose is to get as many of us together for a very informal and fun get together. 

I will say late may is prime time for kings in the WG area due to both feeders and spawners.  It's also a good start to halibut due to both herring and hooligan in the area.  I do want try and set up one more event in Valdez over Labor Day weekend.  The fishing and weather has been a bit freaky the past two years.  I lost a 50+ halibut that day as well so I think the catching probability is higher in late May then say mid June.  My only concern as we get later in the year is we will encounter more and more spawners plus we will be exposing ourselves to a one mile restriction from the get go.  But we may have that issue abyways.  Given the forecast, I can see them shutting down all the fishery within a mile very early. I like the idea of crossing to the other side as then we can add rockfish AOTY points as well as greenling and flounder.  BUT the cost may turn some folks off. 

But once again I'm open for anything.  Let's keep the ideas rolling. We have the march derby which is a crap shoot out of a powerboat, let alone a kayak.  We have a bit of time to discuss. Hopefully they will run the Anchor Point derby in late May for those like me who need a king fix.

Apologies for being late to the conversation -- I plead major distractions. 

I'd like to try the other side, and the cost is minor. But it might not work for folks who travel with dogs and rely on having a truck nearby to secure the pooch while on the water.

WG is easiest -- and the tides look good that weekend before the holiday. I like the May date, just because it's the season launch. My pent-up demand for fishing time gets sated, and the rest of the season is wide open for other adventures. Plenty of opportunities for highly productive fishing in the later months -- and maybe the idea of a tournament should be organized around one of those (Valdez would be sweet).

KG: What's your schedule look like for Labor Day?

I'll know more on my September schedule on Feb 21st.  (hunt tag drawings) but I'd be game for a Valdez trip

I'm up for pretty much anything.  I like the thought of May, because usually around that time I'm getting pretty antsy for fishing and just being outdoors.  I like the thought of Seward because it's a shorter drive, therefore easier on the pocketbook and I have yet to visit the town.  I also like the idea of going across the bay.  I'm fine with paying a little extra to see a place that is remote and has the opportunity for new species for me.  The dog issue is not really an issue, I've got several buddies up here that are in love with the dog and are always ready to take care of him if I have to travel.  WG and Homer I think will be fine because it's familiar to me and I have some points saved to go back to. 

So, long story short, count me in where ever we go! 

end of may or June would be best for me to make it down. I will be driving a ton anyways so i really don't care were it is.

How is the fishing in Valdez in late May? I've never been there but could see that as a possible alternative. Any kings over that way or is it mostly a silver show later?
Just thinking out load.....
If its better around Labor Day ---  great
That sounds pretty good too

My opinion...One word....crap.     I don't even consider going down that way until silver season gets going (Late July into August).  I've tried fishing for rockfish and such around Valdez with no luck.  I'm sure if you could get out of the "arm" you might be able to hook into some chickens, but that requires about a day or so to paddle there or a water taxi charge.  Plus there is a lot of native land (chugach native corp) once you get out of the arm toward Busby Island and Bligh Reef, so beware ($25/day/person).  Weather is also always a factor.  Pretty unpredictable in the PWS.

There are "rumors" of those "phantom" feeder kings in the arm but I have never seen one landed or hear about anyone landing any.  Here's a link to the fishing reports that ADFG have:

http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/sf/FishingReports/index.cfm?ADFG=R2.ReportDetail&area_key=11

Check out previous years' reports and seasonal summaries.  Good Info.

As with the Homer King Derby...I don't have much to offer here in terms of decisions. I am very happy to see, though, that I am not the only one living with a CEO/CFO/Master Scheduler! However, with enough lead time, I can usually get her to sign off on travel days--just a little overtime painting, carrying, lifting, fixing, and kid watching is required.

Regarding loaning out extra stuff. I can definitely kick in there as needed (anything but miles).

I plan to join in on each of the proposed events whatever dates they fall. Being a peon at work allows me the latitude to take days off without any fear that I'll be missed.

-J

Any decision on a date yet?