Kab/Nam Report 7/3-7/10

[Fish02Tour]

Just got back from a week on Kab and Nam fishing out of the Ash River. Cold weather on the 4th (high was about 58) had fish in a more Memorial Day mode. As the weather warmed up the mayfly hatch kicked off on Kab and we saw a lot of insects by Tuesday. The hatch was pretty much in full swing on Nam by Friday.

Key depth was 26-32 in rocky shorelines or rockpiles dragging a gold spinner with half a crawler (crawlers produced about 3 to 1 over minnows/leeches with jig, Lindy, or spinner). Of the 60 walleye we boated, about 40 were under the slot, 15 in the slot, and 5 overs. All the over slot fish were shallower.

The water temps started in the low 60's and ended the week at about 66.

Walleye are stacked up outside of the more normal summer spots and more warm weather should kick things loose.

Almost hit a bear swimming from Namakan to Kubel one morning, not something we see every day!

[GRIZ]

My family and I just got back yesterday from Kab/Nam we stayed at Sunset Resort on the Ash River. We also fished 7/3- 7/10 and would have to agree with previous post- mayfly hatch underway on Namakan could count 20 at a time hatching on one side of boat. We caught 48 walleyes and smallmouth over the week, kids had fun. Used leeches on slip bobbers fishing reefs that were in the 7-14 foot range, with the boat anchored. I find this method easiest to teach kids walleye fishing. My daughter lost huge walleye on friday broke her line when the fish saw the boat :rolleyes dad forgot to set her drag right). Most fish were caught during the middle of the day. Use depth finder to find reefs off of Islands or get a good map. Fish would come and go so when we had dry spell we would go check another reef, and then return later usually finding fish again.

Would like to take a moment to thank Joel and Lori and their family at the Sunset Resort. Its a great place for a family vacation.

[Dusty]

Fish02, Thanks for the report. I was on Namakan June 19th and the fish were in the same depth as you found them. I am going back the 19th for 5 days and I hope they move more onto the reefs. I love that reef fishing. Where did you stay on the Ash River?

[Fish02Tour]

We were down at Ash Trail Lodge. We're heading back up to Kab/Nam for the first week of August but will be staying on Kab.

[Xplorer]

FishO2Tour,
Was the bear a pretty large one heading from the west point of Namakan towards the shoreline south of the campsite on Kubel??
I got pretty well ransacked by a large (300-350#) blacky about 3 years ago at hhe eastern most campsite on Nam island, that was doing the same thing and raiding the 4 sites on Nam island and the one on Kubel.
I talked to a Park Service warden on 7-2 and he said that they have had a problem this year with a sow and 2 cubs, that were moving from kab towards Nam causing problems.
Will be back up in a week and hope the flies are done and the fish are on the reefs.
Xplorer

[This message has been edited by Xplorer (edited 07-14-2004).]

[Fish02Tour]

Xplorer,

Yes, that was the one. It went to shore on Kubel west of the red marker bouy and south of the campsite. I hope like heck it didn't bother you, I probably should have stopped by the campsite to see if anyone was there to give them a heads up.

The mayfly hatch looked normal compared to the long and drawn out hatch last year, and like most hard-cores, am optimistic the fishing will continue to improve.

I drive a red Alaskan 20 DC with Yamaha 115 & T8 kicker. If you see us on the water please stop and say hi. Will be back on Kab & Nam 7/31-8/7 and again 9/4-9/11.

Fish02Tour

[Xplorer]

Fish02Tour,
Thanks for the confirmation, i kinda figured it was. The park service folks acutally told me at the time that he was a "crafty" bear, haha. I said no #@!#, sherlock!!!
He jumped in my boat one night, and went thru the screen tent a couple nights before i packed up and left. I keep a clean site but he obviously had done this routine before. He was not the least bit afraid of me (i pelted him with a few softball sized rocks from about 15' away one morning as he tried to gnaw open a rubbermaid container, didnt faze him a bit)or the dog.
I was on Williams island camping the 1st/2nd so he was close by. he must find good eats on Nam and Kubel tho.
I'll be up again 7/21-25 and 8/7-11 camping in a green prosport/90 honda.
Good luck the rest of the summer.
Xplorer

[Fish02Tour]

Xplorer,

Have a great season, I've got to believe the next few weeks up there could be excellent.

Fish02Tour