Sam And Saundra's Second Time Around - Part 61

Sam And Saundra’s Second Time Around – Part 61

Alaska 

7/9/11- 8/3/11 - Kenai River  

Waiting for the Reds. Sam and I spend copious amounts of time playing with our tackle.  We purchased some of those swimming snake thingies that you use in pools to keep you afloat, especially if you have a tendency to sink fast. We got orange ones so we could see them well against the riverbank, and they float.  We cut them into six to eight inch sections. We started making up leader lines.  Sam’s five feet, mine three. 

Sam Making Leader - Owen's Turn To Cook

Starting with a pretty red #4 hook, grasp it carefully with your weak hand (won’t be so bad if you hook it real good), leave the part with the hole sticking out.  Thread the 25-30 pound leader line through the hole, still making sure that the barb of the hook is not causing discomfort.  Tie your favorite knot.  Mine is still the Uni Knot, as it is one that I can remember and it is strong enough to handle the big fish.  Measure off your line however you want – I guestimate.  Then tie on the swivel of your choice.  I use whatever we bought last month at Cabela’s in our anticipation of this trip. Oops, forgot to put on my red bead (Sam gets the fluorescent yellows and greens). Clip off the swivel, add the bead and retie.  Soon you will remember to add the bead at the right time, but will forget why you are putting it  on in the first place.  Whatever – after you retrieve the hook from wherever it has been hiding (hopefully not your pant leg), and after you add your piece of fluff (fish yarn), you stick the barbed part into the ‘snake’ float.  Wrap the line around and around the float and stick a quilting pin (looks like a T) though the swivel and into the float and voila! You have one ‘rig’ rigged. 

UNO!!!!

You may want to make up several rigs, which will make it easier when fishing on the banks of cold, strong, fast flowing rivers. If you get tired or bored of fixing up extra rigs, invite Sam to go fishing with you.  Sam’ll do it.  Me – I do a few, then go play somewhere else.  Owen really likes Uno.