By Nick Varney

Special to the Homer Independent Press

Before I get into the meat of this column, I would like to thank the readers who now follow Reelin’ ‘Em In via HIP’s dynamic and celebrated explosion onto the local media scene.

This is going to be a cool ride, especially if I can remember to submit my invoices so I can pony up enough gas money to make it out to the end of the Spit and back.

Our main goal is to not only provide information about what’s hot, where, what works best and why, but also to offer tips and hints on how to keep from looking like a clueless dweeb when wielding a rod.

Unfortunately, it also seems to be essential that we must, once again, deal with additional guidance to keep some of you miscreants out of the hoosegow or court.

What’s up with the preschool dropouts who seem to be incapable of comprehending the fishing regulations?

Is the economy so bad that they can’t afford a pen to record a king on their license stamp or harvest card a few minutes after landing it? Please. Claiming they were going to do so after they finished filleting the critter just doesn’t cut it. It’s surprising the same excuse isn’t used while it’s sizzling on the grill.

Then there are the dim bulbs who scamper to their rigs or camps immediately after landing a Chinook when it looks like there’s no badge around. These limp-line’s IQs match the reading from a flat tire’s air pressure gauge, especially when they brag about it at the cleaning tables.

Speaking of the limit at the Fishing Lagoon, how many of you know that if you keep one under 20 inches, it doesn’t need to be recorded but still counts toward your daily limit of two? Yep, ‘tis a fact. How do I know? Because I read the regs and just don’t stare at the pretty pictures of fish and maps.

The reg books are free and don’t use big words. Miscommunications can suck worse than a gerbil-powered Hoover. So, pick one up and at least have someone read it to you.

Time now for the fishing report for the week of June 22.

Freshwater Fishing

The Anchor River and Deep Creek remain closed to all sport fishing through June 30.

The Ninilchik River will reopen to fishing for hatchery kings June 27-29.

Gear is restricted to single-hook, no bait, artificial lures only. Fishing should be reasonably entertaining. Give it a whirl during the opening eyes of morning for your best shot at action. Top choices for lures? Chase them with spinners, spoons and heavily weighted flies.

China Poot Personal Use Sockeye

China Poot’s personal use dip-net fishery opened June 15 and has been off to a smokin’ start. Expect it to improve as we move into July and the run builds.

Saltwater Fishing

Kachemak Bay/Cook Inlet

Halibut

Halibut fishing has gained traction and picked up speed. Soaking bait around slack tide is a righteous time for targeting halibut because you can keep the lure on the bottom with less weight. Plus, it will keep you from throwing out your back hauling a ‘but to the surface after the tide takes off.

King Salmon

Chinook fishing has also fired up somewhat and should remain sporty over the week. Tenacious anglers have reported landings in inner Kachemak Bay and around Bluff Point.

Small troll herring or spoons behind a flasher are working well. Good ole hootchies and tube flies have done their part too.

Having a problem finding those elusive Chinooks? Give a shot at setting your gear at different depths, including mid-water column and 10 feet off the bottom.

Nick Dudiak Fishing Lagoon

The king run at the Nick Dudiak Fishing Lagoon has reached its peak which, sadly, has been a bit of a yawner this year.

Patient and determined sportsmen are landing fish on both the outside and the interior of the lagoon during the tide changes. Roe, herring or mackerel under a bobber, plus various Vibrax spinners are attracting strikes.

Note: Prepare to be annoyed by rude seals trying to abscond with the fish you are fighting and even more annoyed by the floss snaggers bare-hook flipping and otherwise harassing the circling schools until they go off the bite.

Surf Fishing

Whiskey Gulch and Deep Creek are still producing some respectable halibut by casting from shore.

Don’t forget about fishing off the tip of the Homer Spit.

Not only will you land some fine eating, but also get a chance for some excellent cardio runs while fleeing the bottom feeding creatures you’ve pulled ashore that take a hook in the jaw as a deeply personal affront.

Seldovia Slough

King fishing in the Seldovia Slough has been meh to fair.

Note: Fishing is open to snagging beginning June 24. Anglers are having success fishing from the bridge during the incoming tide and in the lagoon around high tide.

Sockeye

Sockeye have been lurking around the Tutka Lagoon and in front of China Poot Creek.

Most red stalkers snag these fish with weighted treble hooks and the action has been pretty good over the last few days. Expect similar conditions during the coming week.

Emergency Orders

Sport Fishing For King Salmon Closed in Upper Cook Inlet Salt Waters

King Salmon Bag Limit Reduced from 2 to 1 in Lower Cook Inlet Salt Waters

Restrictions to King Salmon Fishing in the Ninilchik River

Rockfish bag limit reduction: 2 pelagic, 1 non-pelagic. No retention of yelloweye April 1-June 30

For additional information, you can contact the Homer ADF&G Office at 907-235-8191.

Nick can be reached at ncvarney@gmail.com if you have any tips, tales or can offer an explanation on why using a tiny white float with a hook hanging a few feet beneath the water part way along the line leading to the rod on shore isn’t an obvious snagging technique.