Clean pata and slit skin (3-4 slits on both sides) without cutting bone. Place in a deep pan with a tight cover. Add water, 7 Up and salt. Bring to a boil after 15 minutes, add baking soda. Baking soda will hasten the softening of the pata's skin.
Hook 4 to 7 pound sockeye salmon from June 10 to August 1, with a peak from July 1 to August 1. Take your pick from 50,000 three to five pound pink salmon from July 20 to August 20. Silver salmon runs of 150,000 strong stop to bite from mid-August to their peak in late September.
Ketchikanâs Pink and Sockeye salmon runs happen during the month of August, and can really get going during a good year. The Pink Salmon also bite in open water. Picking the best time to go salmon fishing in Alaska boils down to knowing your area, weather, and understanding historical fish patterns.