- Don’t touch the reel! Most anglers are not used to the power that come with our Kvichak Rainbow Trout. And, the tendency is to try and stop these runaway freight trains on their initial runs by palming or grabbing the reel. This is usually a recipe for disaster for both the prospect of landing the fish and your knuckles. Let the fish run.
- Bow to the fish. A seasoned fish fighter can feel what the trout are doing under the water. After the initial hook set, you can expect an explosive headshake followed by a reel ripping run (in any direction), and finally a vertical leap. Once you start to feel a trout head shaking, that’s a sign he’s fighting back and about to take another run. The novice reaction is to counter the fish’s movement by lifting the rod and pulling back. The more successful technique is to lower your rod slightly, allowing the line to pull off the reel easier, giving the fish a little room to make his run without popping the fly with undue force. Once you’re in this position (rod slightly lowered and pointing at the fish), you’re ready for the leap. When you see the fish jump, lower your rod even more giving that trout more slack to maneuver in the air. Once the fish has made splash down, lift the rod smoothly and take in as much line as you can until the next run.
- Stay tight to the trout. This concept is pretty easy to understand, but is a common blunder among anglers everywhere. The basic principle is that you have much more control over any hooked fish when it’s closer to you. Letting a fish run 150 yards downstream is not part of the recipe for success. Granted, a hot Kvichak Rainbow is likely to take you into your backing, and that’s okay. But if you don’t take the necessary steps to catch up to that fish, you’re doomed. Part of this tactic will be the guide’s responsibility in navigating the boat and chasing the fish. The angler’s job is to constantly put pressure on the fish while reeling in line when appropriate (please refer to tip #2). In New Zealand, they say that the key to landing big trout on small tackle is to walk them like a poodle. The same is true for Alaska when wading or fishing from a boat. Stay tight, walk the poodle, until you can land that fish.
- Don’t lose your focus. You’re hooked into one of our trophy rainbows, and you’ve made it past all the explosive runs and jumps. You can feel that fish is starting to get tired. Congratulations, but now is not the time to let your guard down. These giants can surprise you right when you think they’re beat. It is very common for a Kvichak River rainbow to make a couple big runs once they see that guide net close to the boat. Be ready and expect these final fish efforts (see tip #2 again). Lastly, it’s the anglers job to get that fish’s head up for the net. This is a delicate act, and one of the most nerve racking parts of any fish fight. Stay focused, apply steady pressure, and listen to your guide – bringing us to our final tip.
- Listen to your guide. Nothing replaces experience. Alaska Sportsman’s Lodge guides have seen countless trout landed and lost all over Bristol Bay. They know what works and doesn’t work. For your safety and success, trust our veteran guides to help you land that fish of a lifetime. And remember, it’s fishing and it’s supposed to be fun. These are wild powerful fish that are not playing a game, they are fighting for their survival. So set your expectations right, and know that you will lose some fish. Do not let “the one that got away” ruin your experience. Be satisfied in knowing that this system is healthy, you got to feel the power of these Rainbow Trout, and that you have the opportunity to hook into another beauty on the very next drift.
