Report: With plenty of high pressure systems swirling around the Gulf of Alaska for most of June, winds were an issue on the ocean but the persistent paddler was able to take advantage of breaks in weather to fish the near-shore areas for Halibut and rockfish. Ling Cod season opened up on July 1st and we were out there bright and early that first day to pull on some monster Lings. Nothing fancy here, any vertically jigged presentation was instantly rewarded with quality fish from 15-40 lbs.

In the salt, Silver Salmon has been the main game this week for inshore kayak anglers with good numbers of fish in the 8-14 lb class. We are finding most of our fish feeding in twenty five to forty foot depths with larger numbers of salmon concentrated near the mouth of Resurrection Bay. Fox Island and Pony Cove being popular spots. Mooching, trolling or rippin' plastics through the bait balls will bring good chromers to the net. Our big fish for the week was a super-sized 17lb 9oz Coho.

For the freshwater folks, good Sockeye Salmon numbers continue to show strong on the upper Kenai River as well as Rainbow Trout and Dolly Varden which are always eager to please. Most of our luck on the larger Rainbows have come while dead drifting pegged trout beads or bouncing a muddler minnow along the bottom tipped with a piece of anchovy or shrimp.

Fishing in July should continue to reward, so get out and get wet.

Next time you're at your favorite bookstore or newsstand pick up the July 2009 issue of Canoe and Kayak Magazine and read our latest feature article by Paul Lebowitz. "FISH ON ICE". Fjord Tough Fishing.