Russian River Sockeye Salmon Runs
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Season: Mid June to Mid August
Early Run Average: 6lbs. up to 10
Late Run Average: 5lbs. up to 8
Limit: 3 daily
Early Run: 27,000 - 60,000
Escapement: 14,000 – 37,000
Late Run: 50,000 - 120,000
Escapement: 30,000 – 100,000 |
Image Provided by FWS Image Library |
About the Runs
The two sockeye runs are what made the Russian River a legend. Combined
the runs have averaged over 135,000 fish, with around 50,000 fish being
harvested each year. The ADF&G keeps a pretty close eye on the fishery
and maintains the stocks pretty conservatively to ensure consistent
runs for the river. However, this more often than not leads to emergency
orders that opens up limits and fishing areas to fisherman.
One of the ways Fish and Game ensures escapement was by
creating the sanctuary at the mouth of the Russian River. This area
is usually kept closed until escapement levels have been reached at
the weir below the Lower Russian Lake. Once these numbers have been
met, in mid to late June, the sanctuary is opened to fishing and often
the limits are raised for Sockeyes.
The two runs show a couple of interesting differences.
When to Fish
Early Russian River Sockeye Run
The first run of Red Salmon, usually arrives in Mid June
and quickly peaks by the first of July. The run averages about 27,000
fish, but is often double that. The fish of the first run generally
are larger and older than the fish of the second run because they typically
spend three years in salt water rather than two years for the second
run. The fish average 6 pounds and max out about 10 pounds.
Late Russian River Sockeye Run
The late run of Red Salmon usually arrives in mid-July
and runs strong until mid-August. The late run is larger in number than
the early run, averaging 55,000 fish, but can run as high as 130,000
fish in some years. The trade off though is that these fish run a little
smaller than the fish from the early run. These fish average about five
pounds and max out at 8 or 9 pounds.
Fishing Russian River Sockeyes
Sockeye or Red Salmon are notorious for not striking.
Many people believe it is impossible to catch one without snagging it,
but in reality, they will bite, but you have to do most of the work.
Your presentation must be right in front of a sockeye in order to get
a response from one. They will not rise to a fly on a plane above them,
nor will they move side to side to chase a fly. You must deliver the
fly within inches of their mouths. The best explanation I have ever
heard or read is the Sockeye fishing section of Anthony
Route’s, Flyfishing Alaska.
Other than that, fishing for Sockeyes takes some experience,
and there is no better place to gain this experience than the Russian
River. The Russian itself allows you a great opportunity to sight fish
and practice your presentation, thanks to its crystal clear waters.
The Kenai at the confluence gives you plenty of opportunity to get the
feel for the light bite of a Sockeye.
Technique
If you are new to the Russian River, take a few minutes
to watch. You will notice that most people, and nearly all the successful
people, are using the same technique called the “Sockeye
Flip.” This is the preferred technique for a couple of
reasons. First you can use this short flip in congested combat fishing
conditions. Second, it works because you have a good feel for your fly
at all times.
The basics of the "Sockeye Flip"
are easy. Put enough weight 18 inches above your fly so the sinker will
tap along the rocks as the current pushes your fly down river. This
is one of the most important details. You want to make sure the fly
moves freely, but still have your weight in constant contact with the
bottom. This will ensure that your fly is being presented just off the
bottom.
Once your tackle is set, pull out about 15 feet of line
and flip your fly and sinker about 45 degrees upstream. (Be sure to
do this in rhythm with the people to your left and right to keep from
tangling.) Be sure you can feel the weight tapping the stones as your
fly drifts downstream.
This takes us to the absolute key to the whole technique,
the ability to perceive the bite of a Sockeye. The bite will be very
light, just a short pause in the flow of the fly. This takes time and
experience to pick up. But then again, the class room is amazing. But
being able to get this presentation down and then detecting the light
bite is why one person limits out in an hour and the guy next to him
is skunked.
Regulations
The typical daily limit for salmon in the Russian River or the confluence
area is three. But again, this often changes due to emergency orders.
These three salmon can all be Reds or a combination of Sockeyes and
Silvers.
During most of the run, this area is fly only. This does
not mean that you must use a fly rod, but your terminal tackle must
be an unweighted fly with a hook gap that is no more than 3/8”.
Be very careful where you fish, there are three separate
zones that have separate seasons, limits and other regulations.
Recommended Gear
Because a lot of this area is a combat fishing zone, you may want to
gear up a little heavy for a typical Sockeye. You are going to want
to be able to horse the fish in so you don’t get tangled in other
lines. Otherwise it is typical Sockeye gear.
Spin Casting – Use a 6.5 to 8 foot trout rod
with 14-20 pound test.
Flyfishing – 7-9 weight rod, 9 or 10 feet
in length. Use 12-14 pound sinking tippets with a weight. Also have
150 yards of 30 pound backing.
For tackle, 99% of everyone on the river will be using a Russian River
Coho fly with a weight 18 inches above the fly. Color does matter. I
talked to one person who spent the whole day being skunked until he
switch to a red and gold fly and caught a big but very red sockeye on
the first cast. What made him think it was the color was the fact that
the fish had two other red and gold flies embedded in its mouth. So
play around with different colors.
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