Sockeyes & Circle Hooks

Chugiak, AK. - February 2017

I have a bad case of Cabin Fever, so I'm going to self-medicate by tying up some Kenai River Sockeye flies. Around this time 2 years ago, during another bout of Cabin Fever, I was browsing the internet for ideas on catching Kenai Reds and ran across the concept of using circle hooks. The tackle and terminal setup was pretty much the same as used for the traditional "flossing" method, with the exception that instead of using a "J" hook, a circle hook was used. The method seemed sound, so for the 2015 season, I gave them a try. It made me a believer! Over the winter, I tied up some fly patterns on circle hooks just to see how they would work vs. using floss. Fast forward to July 2016 - Yep! They worked and how, I had a blast!

Using circle hooks is by the far the most effective way of legally hooking a Sockeye salmon on the Kenai River that I've come across. Almost zero "foul" hooked, which translates to easier on the fish, tackle and time.

In this video, I attempt to show the circle hook (de-barbed) setup I use. As always, check the regs' and EO's before dropping your line in the water.