Fishing Pinks in Valdez, Alaska

August 25, 2008 at 8:26 pm

Valdez has an insane Pink Salmon run.  Their hatchery program is so successful they turn away a million fish at the gate for fear of overcrowding their spawning grounds.  While others are out cruising for Coho, the Pink fishery offers a great opportunity for kids (and their parents) to enjoy success.  When the pink’s begin to spawn they cruise the shoreline back and forth until they reach their spawning grounds.  This means if you can cast something shiny with a hook in it at least six feet, you can catch fish. 

Great fun with a fly rod as well.  I used a number of pink shrimp patterns and caught a bunch.  The key is being selective in the pink you keep for eating, smoking or canning. First, let the humpies go and only pick the prime females.  I kept a bunch and just smoked my first batch.  You definitely can tell the fresh ones from those farther gone.  The beauty of smoking is if they are a bit on the mushy side, smoke, smoke and flavour until they dry out and are now a jerky.

If you are looking for some beach-run Pink salmon fly patterns check out this great article in Sportfishing B.C..  I tied up a few Pink Euphasid’s and did very well. I would imagine this same philosophy would work for Haines, Alaska Pink runs as well. 

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