Downriggin, I'll agree with everything you said except that last paragraph, "strong currents and rips void of blackmouth"? I've fished 2 spots in Ak. that are very similar to river fishing, 1) Bell Island, near Ketchikan (same spot the currentl world record steelhead came from) in July kings stack up here at the mouth of the Unik river, for about 2 weeks this spot produces alot of big fish.
2) Ulloa channel, a narrow passage on the west side of P.O.W. Is. at times the tide will run 6-8kts. thru there, I don't fish it alot because it is a tackle grabber but I do take kings out of this spot every year.
3) How about Pt. Defiance? some pretty good rips there, back when I used to fish it I took alot of blackmouth/kings out of there.