What is the best legitimate technique to catch Sockeyes in freshwater? I'm heading to Alaska in June. Everything that I have read so far indicates they are mostly lined (snaged in my book). Any help would be appreciated.

Far as I know the only legit way to catch sockeye is in the lake or in the saltwater. Get a boat, get in a sockeye lake, and try this: http://www.wa.gov/wdfw/fish/sockeye/articles.htm

My personal theory as to why sockeye won't bite in a river is based upon their life history - sockeye rear in lakes and feed on plankton, then migrate at night in a river to saltwater and feed on plankton. Fish are simple animals and only do a few things, and since eating plankton in lakes and in saltwater worked, and migrating in rivers worked, they feed in slack water and migrate in flowing water, period. So you can catch them in the salt on plankton imitations (bare red hooks), and catch them in the lake the same way. You won't get them to feed on anything in the river, however.

I'm with you, I like my fish to bite my hook, not the other way around. So find a lake and get a boat, preferably one with a downrigger and lots of flashers - should be awesome

The lower Quinalt has a run of sockeye. We catch them with normal bait casting gear. Eggs or sandshrimp. The Duck