Adventures of the Tundra Toad - Started fishing with a stick for a rod, and sewing thread for line. Used mud balls for bait in rain puddles. Started hunting with my grandfather and dad as a "bird dog", since I was too young to carry a gun. My goal here is to share my adventures, and through "How I Do It" videos, share some of the things I have learned along the way. You can contact me via email: tundratoad44@gmail.com
Good luck moose hunting. Get a young guy to haul him. I used some of your tips and flies this year and we( my sons and I) crushed the sockeye. Trip of life time. Thank you
TT, I posted this earlier on the knot video, but thought it best to post it again for newer viewers: Great time this year’s sockeye run! I use Nautilus Light 4/0 hooks, debarbed. During the first spike of Reds, I tied them as usual with the leader coming down through the eye. For the second spike, I tied them straight on like i would a non-circle hook. I have to say that tying them on straight seemed to give me better hook-ups, less “light-switch” fish. I understand that having the leader lead down makes circle hooks work better with bait, as with catfish for example. But maybe the straight tie on gives a better angle when fly drifting/flossing? Anyway, I welcome feedback and opinions on this issue. I plan to experiment more next year.
TT, great time this year’s sockeye run! I use Nautilus Light 4/0 hooks, debarbed. During the first spike of Reds, I tied them as usual with the leader coming down through the eye. For the second spike, I tied them straight on like i would a non-circle hook. I have to say that tying them on straight seemed to give me better hook-ups, less “light-switch” fish. I understand that having the leader lead down makes circle hooks work better with bait, as with catfish for example. But maybe the straight tie on gives a better angle when fly drifting/flossing? Anyway, I welcome feedback and opinions on this issue. I plan to experiment more next year.
Gave circle hooks a good go this year and had pretty good success overall. Found that I missed more fish with circle hook compared to J hook but when hooked with circle didn’t lose many. Also have gotten away from tying up flies or using yarn as they prevent hook from sinking quickly. Have found just a small bead is better. Bead also allows easier tying on of circle hooks via snell knot.
Gave circle hooks a good go this year and had pretty good success overall. Found that I missed more fish with circle hook compared to J hook but when hooked with circle didn’t lose many. Also have gotten away from tying up flies or using yarn as they prevent hook from sinking quickly. Have found just a small bead is better. Bead also allows easier tying on of circle hooks via snell knot.
Would have responded earlier but was on the river. Check out Bass Pro in Anchorage for Gamakatsu Nautilus Light Wire Circles in 3/0. Item #332413. In Soldotna look for Gamakatsu Octopus Circle in 3/0. ID 437342 MPN 208413. I've used both with good success. Both stores carry the Circles I favor, but they have to be ordered. Good Luck!
I have been fishing sockeyes for nearly 30 years but switched to your technique this year. It was tremendously successful! 6 hits and 6 salmon landed, all solid hooksets in the mouth. I followed your instructions to a tee . . . Thanks!!! There were many foul hooked fish from those nearby. I’m sold!
I think all the foul hooking is from technique more than hook type although circles would prevent the rippers as I call them from snagging/ foul hooking as many.
You don't need any knot but the tucked blood. Put line through eye then wrap it around it's self 5 times then put end through loop formed then tuck it back through the top loop; wet and draw up tight. This works on the finest fluro. Never lost a fish through knot failure.
Well, I pre-tied my circle hooks with the egg loop, as it seems to do the same thing by pulling through the eye of the hook, as well as, tying the older version of your fish-n-fool knots. All packed up for the trip to Alaska in a week and a half, so will just have to go with what I got!
@@Alaskahuntr For sure, using an egg loop knot is the way to go if you’re using yarn or a bead in the loop. You won’t have the knot pulling through the eye. I have a bad case of Reditis 😁 I will be seeking a cure in ten days. Get online and go to ADF&G website fish counts. It’s looking really good.
Well.......this season for us has come and gone! Spectacular fishing this year, with many very large Sockeye. Our family had a blast. The circle hooks were the true winners this year, with a couple lessons learned. First we went with barbless for the circle and regular hooks, that helped for safety and we didn't notice many if any hooked fish getting off. The circle hooks didn't hook as many fish as the regular, BUT, when hooked they didn't come off, and were 99-100% legal in the mouth. We really didn't have many "if any" snagged fish, since we let the drift work, and don't rip the line at the end. Overall, everyone was sold on the circle hooks, and we had many "converts" at the river, that wanted to try the rigs we had tied up.
Nice job!! those were a couple dandy's!! Are they allowing King fishing there this year? Thanks for the tutorial, similar to ways Iv's fished Kings before, but many new good ideas!!
I will be there 23rd of July - 3 Aug. Got all the circle rigs tied up for this year, so will let you know how it goes. Maybe will see you on the river and say "Hi"!! Bringing the whole family as usual, so we are excited! Also, will be checking on our cabin build on our property off Funny River Road.
Gonna give a big effort this year to use circle hooks. Your naked circle with just the bead, is that legal? I know you can use just a bead which I prefer, but thought it had to be free floating on the line or pinned at least 2” above the hook. Just curious and best of luck this year!
Thanks for your comment! In answer to your question "is that legal", let me put forth the following. "In flowing waters: Beads fished AHEAD of flies, lures, or bare hooks must be fixed within 2 inches of the hook or be free sliding on the line or leader." I attach a bead by forming an Egg Loop Knot with four or five wraps behind the eye, then slide a bead on before running the leader down thru the eye. The result is that the leader winds up parallel to the Circles point, and if the mood strikes me I'll slide on a bit of yarn behind the bead. In any case, the bead is not AHEAD of the hook. Hope this helps and GOOD LUCK!
So the circle snags less fish ? New concept for me, but it makes sense. Been fishing 3 n 4 octopus with bead for many years. I dont fish the russian for this reason. I dont fish your spot, there, I fish the opposite side and use the opposite arm to plunk. Right arm on the downstream side sweep. Huge difference for me
Yep! I’ve found that Circles (tied on properly) are the hands down winner when it comes to legally hooking Reds. I haven’t fished the Russian in years, but if the fit hits me I’ll use a Gamakatsu Nautilus or the Kraken in 1/0. I’ve tested them on the the lower Kenai mainstream and they worked just fine. Good luck and let me know how the Circles work for you.@@TrapperScottyAlaskant
I’m surprised circle hooks are not a mandatory requirement on the Kenai at this point. They should be. I watched my mom, a person with zero practical fishing skills, bank land three giant males all on the same circle hook. No snags, no on-offs, just solid bone hooked fish, couldn’t have shook them off if you tried.
Howdy Scott, I agree! Circles should be mandatory for Sockeye on the Kenai or at least sections where there is a high concentration of anglers, if not for any other reason than safety. My wife is in the same category as your mom, and she has no problem hooking up. King season is a wash again this year in my neck of the woods, so I'm getting things ready to go for Sockeye. The powers that be, have raised the daily limit on Reds to 6 and the possession to 12. Will be heading down July 19th and heading home August 7th. Been meaning to stop by but haven't had the time. Would like to stop in this year and chat for a bit if you're going to be around. Take care! Tundra Toad
Thanks for the question! When targeting river run sockeye, like on the Kenai, I tie my "Circle Flies" on with a "Fish N Fool" knot, which is just a improved version of the Uni-Knot, with the leader run down through the eye so that it is parallel to the point. Refer to my video "A Better Knot?" for a better description. If you are targeting species that actually try to eat the fly, then I believe running the leader down through the eye wouldn't be necessary. Hope this helps!
Once again people fishing near me wanted to know how I was catching so many fish and all inside the mouth. I passed along the info I learned here. I tied up 25 circle hooks to hand out next season to people who want to try them. I send folks to Tundra Toad on you tube for tutorials.
Outstanding! Appreciate the referrals! Hopefully we will get a few more converts. I witnessed again this year the carnage that the "J" hooks impart. I'm curious as to what Circles you use and how you rig them, could you share that info?
@@tundratoad7046 I copy you mostly, 3/0 nautilus gamakatsu however, I did buy some off brand in line to try next year. I like the modified tri swivel. Hardly ever hang up and the circle hooks do not catch up on rocks much. Over all the best
Thanks TT, I think I'll stick with my Nautilus 4/0 lights for now, but I did try some 3/0 Krackens this run and did well too. Fairly fast current close to bank where I'm at, BTW
Tried the 2/0 gamagatsu circle hook this year first 3 fish came off so I switched back to my old setup and landed the next 4 fish. I will try some 3/0 next year and see if they get a better bite on the fish then the 2/0 did. Always good to get something new to try though. Thanks for your videos I like all the detail you put into them.
I tied it with the egg loop knot just like you showed in the video and used what looked like the same size bead as your pic showed. the only difference I could see was I did'nt debarb the hook so maybe that was the issue?
@@stevenkahn3151 Let me think a little, I’m going into the bush for a couple weeks so I might come up with an answer to why the Circles weren’t working for you 🤔
Howdy, I’ve mulled over why those 2/0 Gamakatsu circles didn’t work for you, and for the sake of me I couldn’t come up with a concrete explanation. There are, however, a few possibilities to investigate. The first thing that comes to mind is the urge to “set the hook” upon contact, don’t do that. Just apply a little more pressure, the current and the fish will do the rest. Next, I would look at the position of your leader as it relates to the point of the hook. The leader, as it exits the eye, should be parallel to the point to be effective. To accomplish this, I use a standard egg loop knot, with only two or three wraps behind the eye. I then place a 6mm bead on my leader and run the leader down through the eye. The idea is to load up the loop so that the leader is forced to exit the eye parallel to the hook point. Sometimes I use just a bit of yarn or a bead/yarn combination to get the desired results. Hope this helps! The 3/0 Gamakatsu Nautilus is a good choice and I’ve had great success with them, although I’m now slightly modifying mine so that the point is inline with the shank. Good Luck!
In answer to your question check out this link: drive.google.com/file/d/1ByF92rCN7Q1MgggCXLh2tfKrbWl1kX-j/view?usp=drive_link. A pic is better than a thousand words 😃
Thank you sir for your videos. I’ve been to the kenai the last 2 years-I’m from southwest Pennsylvania. Your videos are helpful. I have a couple questions for you. 1. Is your fly line floating or sinking or doesn’t it matter? 2. How do you tie your slip weight and does it help with snags? You are so right about being in the zone, but there needs to be fish running. As this was our PROBLEM this year. The week we were there they weren’t running. 2,000-3,000 a day was not good odds.
Steve - Thanks for watching! Sorry that the Reds didn't show up in significant numbers while you were up. The run turned out to be better than last year and last year was a fantastic run. for the last couple years I've had the best fishing the last week of July, first week of August. Don't know if that trend will continue. As to your questions, I haven't used fly line for quite a few years now. I spool up my fly reels with @100 yards of 30 lb. Amnesia monofilament with enough 30 lb. backing to fill the reels. I've also moved away from slip weights as I've found that I get a better "feel" with a fixed weight set up. Please check out these links to a couple pics. Don't know if they will help - drive.google.com/file/d/1K_LevEJkAVZTjpxhVluMH19xupzqRjTH/view?usp=drive_link, drive.google.com/file/d/1W4Ajif47vhxR4y_WgXmRFkyqweVB9y6b/view?usp=drive_link
@@tundratoad7046 thanks for your help. This year we were up the second week of July. Had to take that week to get in with the outfitter. Next year we are scheduled for last week of July. Plus the pinks will be running. I use fixed weights gets when we are fishing for steelhead in Erie. In one video I thought you said you were trying loose weight. Must have figured out didn’t work. Trial and error. Keep the rod bent.
Was just thinking that if you like using sliding weights, I can try and explain how I rigged them up. In any case, weather sliding of fixed I like using a short loop of 12 lb. mono attached to the snap, to crimp on split shot. I can add or subtract the shot so that I get just the right amount for the water I'm fishing. If the shot gets hung up on a snag then the 12 lb. mono is easily breaks.
@@tundratoad7046 thanks for that. I usually used a 6lb length of mono tied to swivel to put splits on. ( way we did it for steelhead, would rather loose the section , than have to keep retrying leader). I was loosing them often this year and the guide had weight he snapped directly to swivel. Wasn’t crazy bout method, but didn’t loose split shots. I eventually went to your suggested method of the loop. My daughters and I love fly fishing. Next year my sons are scheduled to go up with me.
Did you get a chance to try the Kraken hook this season? We have been toying with the circle hook the last couple years after watching your video, with mixed results, probably due to the knot, as it seems to have an affect. We still had great success this year, and to be honest, forgot to compare results with circle vs regular Gamakatsu 3/0- 4/0 standard bead with a smidge of yarn or tinsel.
Yep! I tested the Kraken and caught Reds on 1/0, 2/0 and 3/0. Even hooked a few big Dollies and Rainbows. I also tested a “modified” Nautilus and did exceptionally well on them as well. What Knot were you using? In order to get consistent hook ups the leader has to exit the eye parallel to the point. I plan on doing a video of the results of my observations sometime after hunting season. 😝
We were using the standard fisherman knot, but I am tying up some circle hooks with an egg loop (pre-made rigs) for next year, so the line come through the eye of the hook parallel to the point, so that may help hook-ups. Unfortunately will have to wait for next season. Look forward to your video!@@tundratoad7046
thanks! Had a great season also using Nautilus. Still a lot of "light switches" tho. I have high hopes for the Krackens. Will wait for your review before ordering winter tying supplies.@@tundratoad7046
@@tundratoad7046 I used a size 1vmc sureset circlehook with a black size 12 cheater in the bait loop with 5-7’17lb fluorocarbon leader with Bimini twist connected to a lock snap swivel and a 4” sliding drop weight or switched to splitshot above swivel!
Tried circle hooks ( Gamakatsu Nautilus 3/0) in August 2021 with great results! First try was at Centennial campground, Soldotna AK. A large late run of sockeyes made for a good test. Limited, (6) in less than 90 min. Out of 10 fish on, only one foul hooked in a pectoral fin.
@@tundratoad7046 I mostly just tie chenille on the shank like a Kenai bug. I use the tri swivel with split shot like you show in your video that works well. Eight weight fly rod,
@@tundratoad7046 I use uni knots. I double the line through the eye and go back through toward the tip of the hook as shown in your video. I was skeptical at first because of the way the hook curled toward the leader, but last year I was hooking more fish than the folks around me and had very few foul hook ups. I wish more people fished this way!!!
@@zacharyvincent2386 Thanks for the info! Been experimenting with the Uni knot (Fish N Fool Knot) for a few weeks now, waiting for breakup. Since I mainly use different fly patterns I tie up on my Circles, which vary from 1/0 to 4/0, the inside diameters of the eyes are not the same so depending on the diameter of the leader I’m using I found that in order for the FNF knot to jam in the eye and not slide through, the number wraps it takes when forming the knot will vary as well depending on
I will use circle hooks in some fast moving water where I know that it is straight up flossing because it really cuts down on the body snags but it still is possible to foul hook fish in the fin or tail but that doesn't always happen. I see some people that try a circle hook for the first time get fed up on only feeling the fish for a little bit before it is gone because they cannot stop themselves from setting the hook like how you do it with regular hooks. In fast moving waters, I just raise my rod after feeling the fish to allow the tension to drive the hook into them, which the circle hooks do really hold them good in fast moving water because of how they are designed, which you know how fun it can be to remove a circle hook from a fishes mouth. My first tries on using circle hooks were Mustad and Gamakatsu fly hooks that really are not that strong at all, so it was short lived but I knew circle hooks tend to hold fish better because of how the hook sticks the fish. I tried the Gamakatsu octopus circle hooks to just think they were too large on design. I recently tried some Berkley fusion 19 circle hooks that are an octopus style where I just tied a small egg loop to use a little yarn to help the hook stay in teeth and these little circle hooks are strong! I am impressed with these fusion 19 circle hooks and I had no problem with them being an octopus style because they done their job in some very fast moving water in the Kenai. I will be trying them out more in some other places and will bug the shop I got those Berkley circle hooks to get more or just plain find a source to order from.
Thanks for sharing your experience! I've been shoveling snow, so am a little behind in responding. I use Circles exclusively for river-run Sockeye, all my "J" hook Sockeye flies haven't seen the light of day in years. I too have found that first time users have a hard time resisting the urge to "set the hook", but if they work at it that urge can be overcome. The key, as you mentioned, is to let the current and the Circle work together. Another key factor is how the leader exits the eye. The closer the leader is to being parallel to the point the more effective the hook will be. I noticed that the Fusion 19 has an upturned eye and has an offset point. What size are you using? Also, do you tie fly patterns on your Circles and if so, what knot do you use to attach your flies to the leader? In any case, it looks like the Fusion 19 works for you, as a straight eye, in-line point design does for me.
@@tundratoad7046 snow all over and deep in Alaska but other places out of Ak in the states seeing snow. Those fly hooks were just too light of a wire because in heavy currents, I watched them bend out enough to allow the fish to just get free from them. Those two mentioned would really flex in your hands and because of that, I predicted that they would bend out easy and they did just that. Those Berkley are an octopus style but the use of yarn in the small egg loop puts the hook at an angle that does help the circle hook stick the fish. The sizes were 2/0 on down to size 1 that hooked fish pretty good and my good friend used one in slower water to finally hook a sockeye right with a circle hook, which he said, I remembered not to set how you normally do but it was very hard to resist that action. One other friend will put a bead where that small egg loop is on these to keep it at that angle and it works for him, so I might try that myself with a soft bead because I know some of them plastic beads can have rough edges.
Tim, Thanks of subscribing and I'll try to answer your question concerning the "Fish N Fool" knot (aka Double Uni). Of all the knots I have tested and used for rigging my Circle Hooks for sea run Sockeye, the FNF knot has become my favorite because of several reasons. First it is strong! I have yet to have a knot failure. Secondly, it is easy to tie, depending on your dexterity, Ha! When finished the knot doesn't have a lot of bulk sitting on top of the eye. I use the FNF knot exclusively when tying on one of my Circle Hook Fly creations, but if I tie on a naked Circle and dress it with yarn, I sometimes use an Egg Loop knot with only two or three wraps behind the eye, but most often I use the FNF knot and just slip a small bit of yarn in the loop that is formed when the leader is run down through the eye and snugged up. Bottom line - that doesn't mean that there isn't another knot that works just as good for this application. The FNF knot works for me! You may have a knot you like but remember that for the "trap" to be set properly, the leader needs to exit the eye on the same side as the point and as close to parallel as possible to the point. Hope this answers your question and don't forget to yell FISH ON!
I thought I’d seen one of your videos where you incorporate a bead on the top of the eye with the line making a 90 degree angle to the hook side of the shank. Perhaps I’m mistaken and it wasn’t you. Thanks for sharing this tie.
Aloha from Hawaii. Been fishing the lower Kenai for Sockeye since 2010. Just when you think you got your technique dialed in, another yr comes and throws a wrench in it. Stumbled across your videos in Aug after a exhausting fish trip. Will be trying out a bunch of your techniques. One question I have, maybe you explained it earlier….. what’s the advantage of barbless hooks and how do you remove them? Keep them videos rolling!🤙🏽
Erik - Thanks for your comment! I'll bet that it is warmer in Hawaii right now than it is here in Alaska. In answer to your question, I find that on a barb-less Circle the hook penetrates a little easier than one with a barb. The barbs on the Circles I use are minuscule anyway so there is probably not much of an advantage, but every little bit helps. Also, if by some remote chance, you manage to impale yourself or someone else, the hook is easily removed. Lastly, if you use a net to land your Sockeye, a de-barbed Circle is easier to remove from the net as well as the fish, especially if it's hooked somewhere other than in the mouth. More often than not, the hook will come out on its own once the fish is in the net. To de-barb the Circles, I use just a pair of needle-nose pliers and crimp the barb down on the shank. If I have the pliers positioned just right I can often feel the barb snap off. I know of a couple Circle Hook users that use barbed Circles and they do OK, so it comes down to what you feel comfortable with. FISH ON!
@@tundratoad7046 Thanks for that detailed reply. Here in Hawaii we grew up on circle hooks, so it was only natural for me to use circle hooks from day one. Barbless is something new to me. Saving time removing hooks from the net is a game changer! Can’t wait for next season.
I don't use Circle Hooks for Kings. However I know of a technique that uses Circles. I believe it's called "Hang Back". I'll get back to you with more info as I'm currently working on filling my freezer with Sockeye.
