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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

This Fishing Is A Real Test

Rich Landers The Spokesman-Revi

Raleigh Werking wasn’t satisfied with the world line-class record for king salmon he set last year in Alaska. The Florida angler was back on the Kenai River this summer to land another lunker on 2-pound-test line.

Werking fished with guides Mike and Rob Price, who live in Forks, Wash., but guide out of Soldotna, Alaska. After nearly two weeks of trying, Werking landed a 44-pound, 12-ounce king salmon with the ultralight line on July 1.

“We were fishing right near Soldotna and I had to work the slower water next to the bank to keep the action of the lure from breaking the line,” he said. He was fishing a Kwik Fish plug.

Werking had been plugging away for up to 20 hours a day during his quest for records in various line classes. He landed only eight fish in two weeks, including a 61-pounder on 8-pound test line, missing an International Game Fish Association record by a pound.

“The Fish and Game Department reported that the fishing was unusually slow, with anglers averaging a fish every 30 hours,” he said. “I was running about one fish every 20 hours.”

Werking said he’ll be back in Alaska again next year, looking for another monster king on light line.

But he’s also scouting the state for a stream that attracts silver salmon in the 20-pound range.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Photo

The following fields overflowed: CREDIT = Rich Landers The Spokesman-Review