As the axe falls on the Kenai River, so too does it fall on Kasilof and the marine troll fishery.

Here's the official EO's from SportFish Division... read 'em and weep.

http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=fishingSportFishingInfo.R2&year=2012


FYI, Kasilof had to be closed because it would be the ONLY river open to kings (yes C&R) in the region. It would be unable to accommodate all of the displaced angling effort from elswhere.


GDITMMM!

The spillover effect is that there will be a POOPLOAD of sockeye storming upriver on the next surge... setnets feel the axe, too!

COOK INLET COMMERCIAL FISHING ANNOUNCEMENT No. 14
EMERGENCY ORDER NUMBER 2S-14-12

Upper Cook Inlet Commercial Fishing Announcement No. 14 closes set gillnetting in the Kenai, Kasilof, and East Forelands Sections of the Upper Subdistrict until further notice. In compliance with 5 AAC 21.359 (b)(3)(B) Kenai River Late-Run King Salmon Management Plan, this announcement also closes drift gillnetting within one mile of the Kenai Peninsula shoreline north of the Kenai River and within one and one-half miles of the Kenai Peninsula shoreline south of the Kenai River until further notice.

King salmon runs to Cook Inlet, including early-run Kenai River king salmon, are experiencing a period of low productivity and low run strength. The department’s information, including data from inriver assessment programs, indicates that the Kenai River king salmon late-run is also experiencing low strength. Inseason projections show all indices of abundance remain well below their respective minimum inseason management objective. At this time, it does not appear that the late-run will attain adequate escapement without significant restrictions to all fisheries that harvest this stock.

Based upon this information, the Division of Sport Fish has issued an emergency order closing the Kenai River drainage to fishing for king salmon. In compliance with the Kenai River Late-Run King Salmon Management Plan, the Upper Subdistrict set gillnet fishery is also closed.

Inseason projections using DIDSON sonar are for a total run to the river of 10,300 to 15,800 late-run Kenai River king salmon.

As directed by 5 AAC 21.359. Kenai River Late-Run King Salmon Management Plan, if the projected inriver return of Kenai River late-run king salmon is less than 17,800 king salmon, the department shall close the sport fisheries in the Kenai River and in the salt waters of Cook Inlet north of the latitude of Bluff Point to the taking of king salmon. Based on projections of the inseason management objectives set at run strength levels that ensure adequate escapement, the projected inriver run is less than the escapement goal and closure of the sport fishery is required.

Well, that answers that question. Sad state of affairs for sure. Guess it is time to put the king gear away for good. Was hoping to get a little more mileage out of it this season. Ah well.

Who could have seen this coming?

Well instead of packing up king gear for the trip, I'll spend the night paying bills.

Sounds like a Pendleton night to drown my sorrows. Maybe I'll pour one for TRBO as well... sorry, Bob.

Just when it was getting good too With a lack of oodles of nets in the Kasilof section the last few weeks, even with decreased run size ... fishing hasn't been all that bad even without bait which is a big deal in the muck I fish in. But, at least I get to end king season a high note ... with this 50.5 incher tonight

Dandy there Bob.

WHOA!

THAT is a slab-osaurus! A true jaw dropper.


Nice fish Bob.

Big and ugly. Looks familiar. The fish, that is!

I believe the 58 pound Kasilof King that I'm looking at now on my wall was 50" as well.

That is a big fish.

No kidding. Certainly nobody that's witnessed this fishery over the past decades.