Official 2012 AOTY Thread

Thanks for clarifying -- don't know why I missed the coho reference, but it makes a big difference! I can see the sockeye exclusion, since they're feeding on plankton and not at all in the rivers -- though you can get them to strike a fly out of irritation.  And with access to big schools of pinks, well that just might skew the results unfairly.

Probably best for me to spend this season confirming that I can actually catch more than greenling and rockfish from my kayak.  I'll be happy if I can boat all five Pacific salmon and some halibut before the year is out. On reflection, that might be ambitious. Awfully eager, though.

I have a feeling that with all the Alaska participation so far this year, we may have to review the AOTY species list for 2013.  I'll like to see some grayling pics put up!!!

-Allen

      Here you go Allen...








   Taken on the Sag River in Prudhoe Bay.Not using a kayak-just bank fishing.Still a nice grayling.........

Pretty grayling. Always fun to get into grayling with dry flies...

Thanks for clarifying -- don't know why I missed the coho reference, but it makes a big difference! I can see the sockeye exclusion, since they're feeding on plankton and not at all in the rivers -- though you can get them to strike a fly out of irritation.  And with access to big schools of pinks, well that just might skew the results unfairly.

i think both pinks and sockeye should be included.  there are popular sockeye fisheries in the saltwater surrounding vancouver island and in numerous lakes when open (lake washington, baker lake, wenatchee lake, columbia river).  pink salmon are hugely popular throughout the northwest even though in most areas they are an every other year fish.  if chum are allowed i cannot imagine why all the salmon species that call the pacific northwest home are not.

Never mind I figured it out

Thanks for clarifying -- don't know why I missed the coho reference, but it makes a big difference! I can see the sockeye exclusion, since they're feeding on plankton and not at all in the rivers -- though you can get them to strike a fly out of irritation.  And with access to big schools of pinks, well that just might skew the results unfairly.

i think both pinks and sockeye should be included.  there are popular sockeye fisheries in the saltwater surrounding vancouver island and in numerous lakes when open (lake washington, baker lake, wenatchee lake, columbia river).  pink salmon are hugely popular throughout the northwest even though in most areas they are an every other year fish.  if chum are allowed i cannot imagine why all the salmon species that call the pacific northwest home are not.

Yeah, we had pinks before and took them off last year at it wasn't a pink year.  And perhaps forgot to put them up againt his year.     Errr ... or something like that.

Thanks for that pic of the grayling Mark.  The first fish I ever caught on a flyrod was a grayling.  I think I also hooked by friend in the cheek that evening too!!!

-Allen

-Allen

Yeah, we had pinks before and took them off last year at it wasn't a pink year.  And perhaps forgot to put them up againt his year.     Errr ... or something like that.

Wait ... wasn't 2011 a pink year?  I caught some pinks. 

Yeah, we had pinks before and took them off last year at it wasn't a pink year.  And perhaps forgot to put them up againt his year.     Errr ... or something like that.

Wait ... wasn't 2011 a pink year?  I caught some pinks.

Something like that!!!  I confused.

-Allen

I have a feeling that with all the Alaska participation so far this year, we may have to review the AOTY species list for 2013.  I'll like to see some grayling pics put up!!!

-Allen

I think the species gives us a good chance of breaking 1,000 points here in Alaska.  Of course CBY has that many points before our waters are even ice free!  lol.

The hard part for us is that many of the spots that could really help us out you need to use a powerboat to get to.  Not necessarily mothership, but transported to a spot and beginning your journey there.  I think the rules allow for that as long as you start and end on shore without assistance.  We definitely have a size advantage if we can get to the fish I think for many of the species. 

I might ask that Char/Dolly Varden be included with the rainbow trout (not steelhead).  Half jokingly, include our irish lords with the cabezon into maybe a sculpin category.

Grayling tend to be in skinnier waters in this area. More in the realm of whitewater kayaking. Only a few lakes accessible to kayaks have them in Southcentral Alaska. 

Here's my 7 year old with a grayling he caught on a 6meter pole. 


Short video of him using the pole.

We're pleased to welcome Humminbird back as a sponsor for our 2012 Angler Of The Year Competition.  This year they are kicking down a 385ci DI Combo.

-Allen

This year they are kicking down a 385ci DI Combo.
-Allen

that's a sweet prize!!!  I wouldn't mind owning one of those.

We're pleased to welcome Humminbird back as a sponsor for our 2012 Angler Of The Year Competition.  This year they are kicking down a 385ci DI Combo.

-Allen

Well, imagine my surprise when I received a 788ci Combo in the mail.  No DI, but much bigger and better display.  Definitely an upgrade.  $699 MSRP value!

-Allen

Jiminy Christmas!! I may have to shoot for whatever place that sucker is.

I'd like to welcome Kokatat as a sponsor for AOTY.

They've graciously donated a Bahia Tour PFD and Nomad Boots.

-Allen