Dan Herrig is the Head Guide at Rapids Camp Lodge, our fly out operation in Bristol Bay.
Rapids Camp is located on the Naknek River, home to some giant rainbow trout. In the late season at Rapids Camp, there’s a phenomenal swing fishery for these rainbows.
If Dan was to step into a run on the Naknek in late September or early October, here’s what you’d find him fishing!
The Summary
- Sage 7136-4 Z-Axis
- 550 Grain Airflo Compact Skagit
- Galvan T-10 Reel
The Detail
- 30 pound Rio High Visibility Dacron backing attached to the reel with an arbor knot
- 35 pound Rio Slickshooter running line attached to the backing with an Albright knot
- Non slip mono loop in the front end of the running line, looped to the Skagit Compact with a loop to loop connection
- Loop created in the back end of 12 feet of T-14 with a Rio braided mono loop, secured with a nail knot and coated with Aquaseal, looped to the front end of the Skagit head
- 5 feet of 15 pound Maxima Ultragreen attached to the front end of the T-14 with an Albright knot
- 6 mil dead egg bead slid onto the Maxima leader
- Solitude Exasperator Sculpin tied on with a non-slip mono loop
The Commentary
“After the salmon get done spawning in the middle of September, the trout move up onto the flat stretches – like very typical steelhead water. They’re eating the flesh that gets accumulated on the rocky structure, as well as the forage fish – sculpins, lampreys, smolts and more – that are chasing the flesh as well. It’s the perfect swing opportunity because most of the runs are 3-5 feet deep, moving about walking speed. It’s a kick in the pants.”
“At this time of year you’re going to find trout from 8 inches to 35 inches, and they’re all hungry. 15 pound tippet is the minimum and we’ll go up to 20. We get snapped off on the grab quite a bit.”
“This game is on from the 3rd week of September right through the end of the season on October 7th.”
Maybe I’m missing something. A picture would help. How is the sculpin tied on in relation to the bead egg?