05/02/2012
Lake Ice / Boating Report —
I did not make it to Finger Lake, yesterday, but i did take a look at Kepler and Bradley Lakes along the Glenn Highway. While there was still considerable ice cover on both lakes in the evening, there was also a swath of water wide enough to paddle a canoe along the entire northern side of Bradley Lake. That should keep us close to our predicted schedule of getting a guide boat on one of the rivers by the first weekend in May. At this point, we are hoping to test run the first boat at Finger Lake on Thursday May 3.
05/03/2012
Mat-Su Angler’s Corner Fishing Column Started
Today I wrote my first fishing column for the Mat-Su Valley’s Frontiersman Newspaper in 2012. it should appear in the Outdoor Section of the May 4, 2012 issue. I may try to provide a URL address when it is printed. The article provided information about Alaska’s improved hatchery fish stocking program during the upcoming 2012 summer.
I also continued to work on boats and am still planning to take one for a check ride tomorrow. Still buried in paperwork I need to get caught up on — but made some progress today.
Bob Meals of Tri River Charters in Talkeetna (907) 733-2400 told me he has his boat in the Talkeetna River and is ready to run drop off or guided fishing trips. At present his first commercial guided trips are scheduled for the first week end in May, and he is expecting his clients to catch a good bunch of trout and Dolly Varden. Bob said cooler weather over the past few days have dropped and cleared the water to where it is excellent condition for spring trout fishing.
05/03/2012
Finger Lake — and ICE rather than Boat Rides
I was over by Finger Lake earlier today, so I drove by to take a look before taking my boat over for a test run. The ice on the lake looked like it had melted some, but it had not retreated back much from the last time I was over there. Bottom line there was not much water to run a boat around in, so I postponed taking a boat for my first test ride of the season.
05/05/2012
Lower Little Susitna River —
My nephew and I drove toward the river last night, but once again Little Susitna River / Little Su Access Road past the last farm was muddy and rutted — more tore up that the last time I took a look. With my 2-wheel drive pickup it looked like a very likely opportunity to get stuck if we went any further. I parked and walked about a 1/2 mile further. There was one smooth and dry section of road, but it was in between two very tore up sections of road. I decide to wait a few more days before driving this section of road.
I had hoped to get at least one guide boat out on a river by today, however, with remaining ice delaying my boat check ride on Finger Lake, and poor road conditions keeping me away from lower Little Susitna River, I am now planing to wait two more days. I ‘m now planning to get the boat out on a river by Monday or Tuesday. Currently my first king salmon charters is scheduled within the next week. My next report will be after taking a guide boat our on a river. Check back Monday or Tuesday evening for that report.
05/07/2012
FIRST KING SALMON BOAT TRIP —
After lots of preparation and checking on lakes, rivers, roads, and boat landings I was able to take a boat for a check out ride on Finger Lake yesterday evening. Today I will be taking the boat out with some friends on the first king salmon fishing trip of the season today. Check back this evening for an update.
05/07/2012
After making a boat check run on Finger Lake last night, I got my guide boat out on a river and fished from it for king salmon for the first time today. I fished with two friends, and all of us back trolled different types of plugs for about 3 or 4 hours. Nobody had a bite, and we did not see any fish, but conditions were good enough that king salmon could be available any day now. We likely would have stayed and fished longer, if it had not started raining. Once it started raining we decided to call it a day.
For people interested in an early king salmon fishing trip, we are now ready run our guided boat trips and charters for salmon. If you fish with us this week and catch a fish there is a chance you might catch the first king salmon from our boat for the season. We are currently scheduled to guide our first king salmon charters on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday May 11, 12, and 13. Give us a call at 907-746-2199 if you would like to schedule a trip.
05/09/2012
King Salmon Fishing —
I fished with two of my nephews for several hours today. We primarily back trolled K-15 Kwikfish, but also did some casting with a magnum Wiggle Wart, Flashtrap Spinners, and Vibrax Spinner. We did not see or hook any fish, but the trees are starting to green up, and it looks like about time to catch a king salmon. On the trip home we saw a ruffed grouse all puffed up and strutting around in front of us.
Tomorrow I plan to work hard on paperwork and house work iin final preparation for the coming fishing season — then Friday I will guide my first king salmon charter of the season. Check back Friday evening for the latest report.
05/11/2012
I guided a group of 4 people for king salmon, and we back trolled the whole time with K-15 and K-14 Kwikfish, but did not hook or see any salmon. Water was high but with good visibility. We only saw one other group of people fishing today, and they did not seem to have any luck when we were near them. I’ll be guiding king salmon trips both Saturday and Sunday, so check back to learn how we do. I expect to see more boats on the water this weekend, but there should still be plenty of water to fish with little competition.
05/12/2012
I guided a morning group of 4 guests who back trolled the entire trip, but hooked no fish. We fished with K-15 and K-14 Kwikfish during the entire trip, and spoke with some other boaters who had the same type luck we did. Near the end of the trip one lady set the hook on a bite, but came up empty.
I guided an afternoon group of 2 guests who back trolled the entire trip with K-15 and K-14 Kwikfish, but only had one bite, which was not hooked.
05/13/2012
I guided a morning group of 5 guests who back trolled K-15 and K-14 Kwikfish. ONe guest hooked and landed a rainbow trout on a K-15 Kwikfish, and that was the only bite the group had during the trip. During the trip we saw a moose, some beavers, bald eagles, and a pair of trumpeter swan.
05/14/2012
I spent the day getting partially caught up around the house, but will be guiding a king salmon charter tomorrow. Last year we hooked and landed the first king salmon from my boat on May 15. The water has been slowly dropping into better shape over the past week, and I’m hopeful we may hook up on the first king salmon from my boat with a repeat of last year’s success. Like usual, we will be providing an enjoyable trip, while at the same time giving maximum effort to enhance our guests’ chances of catching king salmon this early in the season. Tomorrow I break out the Pautzke Fire Cured salmon roe and krill scents for the first time this season. Check back in the evening to see if we start catching king(s).
Charter Space Available
Give us a call if you would like to join us on a May or June king salmon trip, and to discuss our various trip options. 907-746-2199
05/15/2012
I guided a group of 4 people, 2 of whom fished Pautzke’s Fire Cured Salmon roe behind jet divers, 1 ofwhom fished a K-15 kwikfish, and 1 of whom fished a K-15 kwikfish. We covered lots of water andback trolled the entire time we were fishing, but aside from what seemed to be small fish pecking at the salmon roe, we did not have any hook ups. There were several other boats out yesterday as well, fishing near us, and we did not see anyone else catch a salmon either. It would seem that the salmon are at least a little later arriving this year than last year. During the trip, one lady expressed an interest in seeing a moose, and she managed to sapot one feeding beside the river that allowed us to motor up close where she was able to shoot some pictures.
I’ll be fishing again Tuesday morning and hope to have a more timely fishing report posted by evening.
05/16/2012
Pat Donelson and I guided a large group of 9 people today. One guest from each boat hooked a king salmon, and the lady in Pat’s boat caught her king salmon, while the lady in my boat had her fish throw the hook. The fish in my boat was hooked on Pautzke Fire Cured salmon roe fished behind a jet diver. The fish caught in Pat’s boat was hooked while casting with a magnum Wiggle Wart.
In addition, guests in my boat also caught 3 whitefish that could not resist the Fire Cured salmon roe, and 1 rainbow trout that was caught on a K-15 Kwikfish. While on the river my group saw a couple beavers, a bald eagle, and some waterfowl. the guests in Pat”s boat were fortunate enough to see a moose.
It was a beautiful sunny day on the river with a good view of Mt. McKinley while boating back to the landing. May 17 is currently my last day of the month scheduled to work at home and get caught up on business around the house before our guided fishing season ramps up to a busier schedule. — give us a call at 907-746-2199 if you would like to join us for an early season king salmon trip at our special $100 per person May price. We also have June availability for morning and afternoon guided salmon fishing trips at a time when the fish are running in greater numbers and easier to catch.
05/17/2012
I talked with the receptionist at the Alaska State Parks Finger Lake office today, and she told me that Little Susitna Access / Little Susitna River Road to the Little Susitna River Public Use Facility had been graded on Tuesday May 14, so I am picking up my Little Susina River commercial use permit from Alaska State Parks later today.
05/18/2012
I guided a group of 2 people in the morning who cast a Vibrax spinner and a magnum Wiggle Wart , and also back trolled with a K-14 and K-15 Kwikfish, and Pautzkie’s Fire Cured salmon roe behind a jet diver. The only bites they had seemed to be small whilte fish bites. in the morning we also saw a fish of some type that looked to be about 5 pounds roll. No fish were hooked, and we of the boaters we saw in the morning we knew of no one else who had caught or hooked a fish either.
KING SALMON CAUGHT
I guided an afternoon group of 4 guests who back trolled the entire trip with K-14, and K-15 Kiwkfish and Fire Cured salmon roe behind a jet diver. Shortly after starting the trip one of the guests hooked and caught a nice fresh king salmon on the salmon roe. Other members of the group also had bites on the salmon roe, but all seemed like bite from white fish, trout, or some other small fish. During the afternoon trip we also saw another angler fishing in a boat land a king salmon as well.
For people interested in getting out on the water and / or attempting to catch one of the first king salmon of the season , some fish are starting to be caught.
05/19/2012
I guided 3 people, and although we saw a king salmon roll first thing in the morning, we were unable to hook any fish. Other anglers managed to catch a few king salmon, and we also saw a good school of smaller fish that i suspect was grayling, but we did not try to fish for them. WHile on the river we saw an otter, some beavers, a swan, ducks, and a moose. I am hoping to be a bit more dialed in for tomorrow. Check in the evening to see what my group catches.
05/20/2012
I guided a group of 4 people, one of whom caught a 23 pound king salmon on a K-14 UV blue/ chartreuse Kwikfish. Aother angler hooked a second good sized king salmon on the same Kwikfish, but somehow the line broke after the fish’s second run. A third angler had one good king salmon pull down, and also caught a whitefish while fishing with Pautzke Fire Cured roe fished behind a jet diver. The 4th angler only had some light whitefish or trout bites, and did not manage to hook up. We also saw other anglers catch a couple king salmon.
I’m scheduled to guide two trips tomorrow. Will post a trip when I get a chance.
05/21/2012
I guided a morning group or 4 people, each of whom caught a king salmon. Two king salmon were caught on Pautzke Fired Cured salmon roe fished with a Spin-n-glo behind a jet diver. The other two king salmon were caught on K-14 Kwikfish.
I guided an afternoon group of 2 guests, each of whom caught a king salmon. Both of the salmon were caught on K-14 Kwikfish. We saw other boater catching king salmon as well.
05/22/2012
I guided a morning group of 2 guests, one of whom caught and released a smalll king salmon, then caught and kept a nice fish of about 30 pounds. The other angler never managed to hook a fish. The two king salmon were caught on a K-14 Kwikfish smeared with Pautzke’s krill scent.
I guided an afternoon group of 4 guests, each of whom caught and kept a king salmon. All were nice sized fish averaging over 25 lbs. per fish– but the largest one was especially nice at 39 pounds. Each fish was caught on K-14 Kwikfish smeared with Pautzke’s Krill scent.
05/23/2012
I guided a group of 4 people, one of whom caught a king salmon. Since the group only had one hookup, it was fortunate that it was a nice large king salmon — weighing in at 35 pounds. The salmon was caught on a K-14 Kwikfish smeared with Pautzke’s Krill scent.
I’ll be guiding again tomorrow, and hope to post a report late in the evening — if I have time.
05/24/2012
I guided a morning group of 4 guests, two of whom caught king salmon. One king salmon was caught while casting with a #6 Vibrax Spinner smearred with Pautzke Krill Scent. The second fish was caught with a K14X Kwikfish smeared with the same krill scent.
I guided an afternoon group of 4 guests, 2 of whom once again caught king salmon. The first king salmon was caught on a #5 Vibrax Spinner (no scent) , while the second king salmon was caught with a Magnum Wiggle Wart smeared with Pautzke Krill scent. Both fihs were caught while casting in the afternoon.
05/25/2012
I guided a morning group of 4 people, one of whom caught a sockeye salmon on a K-14 Kwikfish. The group also had a few more bites — hooking one other fish momentarily — . and saw a couple salmon roll. WE also salw moose along the river.
I guided an afternoon group of 4 people, one of whom caught a king salmon on a K-14 Kwikfish. The group saw a king salmon rolling in another location, but did not get any other bites. WE also saw moose along the river.
05/26/2012
I guided a morning group of 4 people and although we back trolled for most of the the trip with K-14 Kwikfish, none of the antglers even got a bite. ONce again we saw several moose along the river during the trip.
05/27/2012
I guided a morning group of 4 guests, one of whom caught a king salmon of about 25 pounds on a K-14 Kwikfish. THe guests had additional bites and even hooked, but lost one smaller king salmon, but caught no other king salmon. We also saw 2 moose, some bald eagles, ducks and beavers.
I guided an afternoon group of 4 guests, one of whom hooked a nice-sized king salmon while casting with a #6 Vibrax Spinner, but the fish ended up wrapped the line on an obstruction and breaking free. Another member of the group caught a fat rainbow trout on Fire Cured salmon roe fished behind a jet diver. We ended the trip without landing a king salmon.
05/28/2012
I guided a morning group of 4 guests, 2 of whom caught silver salmon sized king salmon. One fish was caught on K-14 Kwikfish smeared with Pautzke’s Krill Scent, and the other king salmon was caught on Fire Cured salmon roe fished with a Spin-n-glo behind a jet diver.
I guided an afternoon group of 4 guests, and once again 2 guests caught king salmon. One fish was caught on a K-14 Kwikfish smeared with krill scent and the other king salmon was caught on Fire Cured salmon roe fished with a Spin – n – Glo behind a jet diver.
05/29/2012
I guided a morning group of 4 guests, 2 of whom caught smaller king salmon, and one of whom caught a jack king salmon. All of the fish were caught on Pautzke Fire Cured salmon roe fished behind jet divers.
I guided an afternoon group of 4 guests, 2 of whom caught king salmon. Both king salmon were caught on Fire Cured salmon roe fished behind jet divers.
05/30/2012
I guided a morning group of 4 guests, 1 of whom caught a king salmon on a K-14 Kwikfish. Another guest hooked a second king salmon, but lost it near the boat when the hook pulled free.
I guided an afternoon group of 4 guests, one of whom caught a rainbow trout on Fire Cured salmon roe fished behind a jet diver. That was the only fish the group was able to hook in the afternoon.
05/31/2012
I guided a morning group of 4 guests, 2 of whom caught king salmon on Fire Cured salmon roe drifted under ESB Bobbers.
I guided an afternoon group of 4 guests, 2 of whom caught king salmon. The larger king salmon was caught on a K-14 Kwikfish, and the other king salmon was caught on a Spin-n-glo and eggs behind a jet diver.
06/01/2012
I guided a morning group of 4 guests, each of whom caught a king salmon. The largest king salmon was caught on a K-14 Kwikfish, and the rest were caught on Pautzke’s Fire Cured salmon roe behind jet divers.
I guided an afternoon group of 4 guests, 3 of whom caught king salmon on Fire Cured salmon roe drifted under ESB Bobbers. For the day most of the king salmon were smaller fish, with the largest fish weighing in at 20 pounds.