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Alaska Fishing Reports
2006
2006 Alaska fishing reports and forecasts cover Deshka River
and Little Susitna River king salmon and silver salmon fishing trips in Alaska
summer seasons and winter ice fishing in Mat-Su Valley lakes road accessible
from Anchorage, Palmer, and Wasilla. Our season fishing forecast is posted
first, however, you may skip the forecast by scrolling down, or clicking
fishing report.
2006 Alaska Salmon Fishing Forecasts
King Salmon - Expect Big Deshka River Return
The Deshka River king salmon spawning escapement
has exceeded 30,000 fish each of the past 7 years, and Alaska Department of Fish
and Game (ADF&G) data collected at Deshka River Weir indicates another excellent
run, over 30,000 fish, should return in 2006. Fishermen will be allowed to use
bait starting on May 15, this year, and we expect the Department of Fish and
Game will once again double the daily bag limit for king salmon some time during
the 2006 season. Last year the daily king salmon bag limit doubled, and a
portion of the river opened to 24 hour fishing on May 27, so I am hoping to see
a similar emergency order regulation enacted on or before Memorial Weekend in
2006.
Little Susitna River King Salmon - Expect Consistent Fishing
With high water on the Little Susitna River most of June 2005, many Little Su
fishing guides had to adjust where they fished, in order to help guests catch
king salmon. Once the adjustment was made, however, the river produced good
overall success rates, with some big kings over 50 pounds landed. With less
snow pack in the mountains expect more average water conditions on the Little
Susitna River and good king salmon fishing for king salmon that average about 10
pounds than on the Deshka River.
Silver Salmon Forecast - Expect Better July Fishing
While overall silver salmon spawning escapement numbers were good for both the
Deshka and Little Susitna Rivers last year, there were lower numbers of silvers
returning to many local area streams during the month of July. With lower
forecasted returns of sockeye salmon to Upper Cook Inlet streams this year,
expect ADF&G to cut back on July commercial fishing time and area, thus allowing
greater numbers of all salmon species to return to rivers and streams draining
into the Northern part of Upper Cook Inlet. Silver salmon spawning escapements
to both the Deshka and Little Susitna River were strong 4 years ago, so expect
good numbers of silver salmon in July for 2006, and even more silvers in August
and early September.
Our goal is to post a daily fishing report for each trip we run, but if time
constraints delay us from updating for a few days, you can also visit
previous year's reports to see what happened then. Salmon run timing is
relatively consistent from year to year, so that should give you an idea of what
to expect. Enjoy our 2006 reports.
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Viewing: August 2006
August 01, 2006
Little Susitna River -- Greg Acord and I guided 2 chartered boats of 3 guests per boat who caught chum salmon, pink salmon, and sockeye salmon on Flashtrap Spinners and flies. The water level is coming up from the past couple days of rain, and the river is also becoming more dark colored, but I also suspect the higher water will draw in more salmon.
August 02, 2006
I guided a morning group of 4 guests who caught 7 nice bright silver salmon on Flashtrap Spinners and decided to head back a couple hours early. The water has risen and colored up even more from yesterday, but it remains below normal level for this time of year. Spinners patterns that worked well for us were #4 silver and black and #5 brass.
I guided an afternoon group of 4 guests who caught 7 silver salmnon, 2 chum salmon, and 2 pink salmon on Flashtrap Spinners. Most of the fish were caught on #4 silver and black. Once again the group decided to head back one silver salmon short of limiting the boat a little before the charter was scheduled to end.
August 03, 2006
I guided a group of 4 guests in the morning who each caught a limit of silver salmon and the group also caught a couple chum salmon and 7 or 8 pink salmon. All the fish were caught on Flashtrap Spinners with #4 silver and black and #4 brass patterns producing well enough that we did not experiment much with other colors.
In the afternoon I guided a group of 4 guests and we came back one silver salmon short of everyone catching a limit. In addition one guest also caught a chum salmon. All of the salmon were caught on Flashtrap Spinners and #4 silver and black was again the spinner of choice. The river level rose again from yesterday, but remained about normal or lower than normal for this time of year, although the water was murky from run off.
August 04, 2006
Little Susitna River -- I guided a group of 5 guests, each of whom caught a limit of silver salmon on Flashtrap Spinners. The group also caught some pink salmon and one chum salmon. Water level on the lower river started dropping slightly today.
August 05, 2006
Little Susitna River -- I guided a morning group of 4 guests who each limited on silver salmon and also caught several pink salmon on Flashtrap Spinners.
I guided an afternoon group of 4 guests who came back one silver salmon short of everyone keeping a limit of silvers. All of the Fish were caught on Flashtrap Spinners.
I also dropped off a morning group of 6 guests who caught lots of chum salmon and pink salmon, but only 2 silver salmon. The group said they hooked some additional silvers, but at not catching more.
Tomorrow (August 6) will be the first day of bait fishing on Little Susitna River, and will likely be the busiest day of the year and largest harvest day of the entire season on the Little Susitna River -- check back late tomorrow night or Monday if you would like a report on fishing the Little Susitna with bait.
August 06, 2006
Litle Susitna River -- It is incredible how good fishing can be the first day bait is allowed. Today, of course, was the first day of bait fishing on the Little Su, and I took a group of 4, a group of 5, and another group of 4 fishing. Each group caught their limits of silver salmon fishing salmon eggs under ESB Bobbers. We had plenty of bites and plenty of action. River level remains low.
August 07, 2006
Little Susitna River -- I guided a group of 3 guests in the morning who each caught their limit of silver salmon fishing Flashtrap and Vibrax Spinners.
In the afternoon I guided a group of 3 guests who each caught their limit of silver salmon by drifting salmon eggs under ESB Bobbers.
Water remains low and clear, but with good numbers of silver salmon available.
August 08, 2006
Little Susitna River -- I guided a group of 3 people in the morning who each caught their limit of silver salmon on Flashtrap Spinners, Vibrax Spinners, and Pixie Spoons.
In the afternoon I guided a group of 3 guest who limited on silver salmon fishing salmon eggs under ESB Bobbers. On both trips we caught mainly mint chrome salmon. The river remains low, but the USGS chart the water level on the upper river rising slightly today, so slightly more water should reach the lower river in a day or two. Fishing was very good today with relatively light fishing pressure. Give us a call at 907-746-2199 if you would like to joins us for a prime silver salmon fishing trip -- chrome fish are present in excellent numbers and biting right now.
August 09, 2006
Little Susitna River -- Silver Salmon fishing remains excellent. I guided a morning group of 5 guests who each caught a limit of silver salmon on salmon eggs fished under ESB Bobbers.
In the afternoon I guided a group of 4 guests who each caught a limit of silver salmon by drifting salmon eggs under ESB Bobbers. People also continue to catch salmon on spinners and flies. The river water level remains low.
August 10, 2006
Little Susitna River -- I guided a morning group of 4 guests who each limited on silver salmon by drifting salmon eggs under ESB Bobbers. One of the group members also caught a pink salmon on the same gear.
In the afternoon I guided a group of 2 guests who each limited on silver salmon by once again fishing salmon eggs under ESB Bobbers. There a strong numbers of silver salmon both up and down stream from the boat launch and fishing remains excellent. Give us a call at 907-746-2199 if you would like to join us on a fun and exciting salmon catching adventure.
August 11, 2006
Little Susitna River -- I guided a group of 3 guests in the morning who each caught several silver salmon on salmon eggs drifted under ESB Bobbers, and one member of the group also caught some silvers on a #4 silver and black flashtrap spinner.
In the afternoon I guided a group of 4 guests who each caught a limit of silver salmon ona slamon eggs once again fished under ESB Bobbers and also caught a few pink salmon as well.
August 12, 2006
Little Susitna River -- I guided 2 guests in the morning who caught limits of silver salmon on salmon eggs fished under ESB Bobbers. Some of the salmon are getting darker in color, but there are still plenty of bright chrome silvers available as well. In the past several days I`ve been fishing both upstream and downstream from the Little Susitna River Public Use Facillity Boat Launch and having excellent success in both directions.
Deshka River -- I talked with Pat Donelson and he told me he and Howard Riley have been having great great trips catching silver salmon on the Deshka River for the past week.
August 13, 2006
Little Susitna River -- Fishing remains excellent. I guided a morning group of 4 guests who caught their limits of silver salmon while fishing with salmon eggs under ESB Bobbers and with spinners. I also caught a limit of silver salmon while casting with a #4 orange Flashtrap Spinner.
In the afternoon I guided a group of 4 guests who caught their limits of silver salmon by drifting salmon eggs under ESB Bobbers.
Water conditions remained similar to what they have been for quite a while, but a look at the USGS chart shows the water volume has approximately tripled in the past couple days, so the water level in the lower river should also rise sometime in the next couple days. When it comes up I would expect a strong push of bright silvers further travelling upriver.
August 14, 2006
Little Susitna River -- I guided a morning group of guests who each caught their limit of silver salmon on salmon eggs drifted under ESB Bobbers with one salmon also caught on salmon eggs fished behind a jet diver. The water had risen overnight and continued to rise all day, but remained in relatively good shape for catching salmon. Throughout the day my group fished several places I had not been fishing lately in order to locate salmon in the higher water.
I guided an afternoon group of 3 guests who limited on silver salmon once again caught on salmon eggs drifted under ESB Bobbers. The USGS water chart show the water level seems to be holding relatively steady in the uppper river now, but I expect it will continue to rise in the lower river until tomorrow afternoon or evening. We have an afternoon charter schedule scheduled and I expect we`ll continue catching limits of silver salmon.
August 15, 2006
INCREASED SILVER SALMON BAG LIMIT LIKELY -- I spoke with Alaska Department of Fish and Game`s assistant area fisheries biologist, Sam Ivey, today and asked about the possibility of Fish and Game raising the daily silver salmon bag limit. Sam told me that he was already working on the issue, and was hoping to send his ideas and data to Fish and Game personel in Anchorage today. Bottom line -- there is a high likelyhood the silver salmon limit could be increased to 3 silver salmon throughout the Mat-Su Valley sometime this week and perhaps within the next couple days. Check our future fishing reports for updates.
Little Susitna River -- Greg Acord guided an afternoon trip with 4 guests today, and each of them caught a limit of silver salmon fishing salmon eggs under bobbers. The water level on the lower Little Susitna River rose significantly overnight, but we are hopeful it will stablize sometime this evening. Both Greg and I will be guiding trips tomorrow.
Deshka River -- I spoke with Sue Riley of Miller`s Riverboat Service, and she said the huge school of silver salmon that has been milling at the mouth of the Deshka River has moved upriver and that her husband, Howard Riley, and his partner, Pat Donelson have been fishing further upriver to stay on the fish. In the past couple days over 40,000 silver salmon have swam upstream past the Deshka River Weir.
August 16, 2006
Little Susitna River -- I guided a morning group of 4 guests who each caught a limit of silver salmon on salmon eggs drifted under ESB Bobbers.
I guided an aftrnoon group of 2 guests who each caught several silver salmon on #4 Flashtrap Spinners and salmon eggs drifted under ESB Bobbers.
The river seemed higher and swifter today -- my anchor would not hold in several places, and some of the spots we fished produced no fish, while other spots were quite productive. It seemed like the river stablized or may have even dropped a little this evening, but looking at the USGS water chart, I suspect the river may raise slightly again tomorrow. Water is fairly muddy.
August 17, 2006
Little Susitna River -- I dropped of a group of 5 fishermen, 4 of whom caught their limits of silver salmon on Flashtrap Spinners, and 1 who kept 1 silver salmon. The group also mentioned that they released some darker salmon as well.
I guided a morning group of 4 guests, 3 of whom caught their limits of silver salmon fishing salmon eggs under ESB Bobbers. The remaining angler in the group was having trouble hooking salmon hard enough to keep them on the hook, so I fished a while and hooked a couple salmon that individual landed.
SILVER SALMON LIMIT INCREASES TO 3 ON SATURDAY AUGUST 19. We got word today, from Sam Ivey with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game in Palmer, that the limit for silver salmon on the Little Susitna River would increase to 3 silvers per day starting Saturday.
August 18, 2006
Little Susitna River -- I guided a group of 5 people in the morning who each caught a limit of silver salmon. The group caught fish on salmon eggs fished under ESB Bobbers and also on Flashtrap Spinners.
In the afternoon Greg Acord and I guided a group of 7 guests all of whom caught their limit of silver salmon except one boy in my boat only caught 1 silver salmon. One salmon was caught on a Flashtrap Spinner and the rest were all caught on salmon eggs drifted under ESB Bobbers.
It rained the entire time we were fishing during both trips, and I`m certain the water level will be rising significantly. The USGS water chart show a dramatic rise on the upper Little Susitna River above the Parks Highway, and it may be a couple days before that high water reaches the lower river, but I think even runoff in the lower river should cause the river to rise overnight. I am expecting extremely high water for the next 3 or 4 days at least.
August 19, 2006
Little Susitna River -- After heavy rains and rising water in the upper river yesterday, we talked with guests and postponed or agreed not to run any trips we had scheduled for Saturday August 19. Greg Acord and I plan to check the river out on Sunday August 20, and are scheduled to run a charter on Monday morning August 21.
Check back Sunday evening for our next report on the Little Susitna River.
Deshka River -- I talked with Pat Donelson, and he said Howard Riley`s and his guide boats hve been continuing to catch silver salmon at the Deshka -- through Friday. He had not seen any drastic rising water level on the Deshka as of Friday evening, but expected the river would likely rise today. He said the water had remained good and clear through their trips on Friday.
Deshka River Landing -- Mike Hudson of 3 Rivers Fly and Tackle reported that the dike at the Deshka River Landing boat launch was underwater, so the Susitna River is running extremely high at this time.
August 20, 2006
Little Susitna River -- Greg Acord and I check out the river today, and we found a couple spots where I think we could catch silver salmon if we fished long enough, but the lower river is as high as I`ve ever seen it and still rising with logs and other debris floating downstream. Definitely not what I would call pleasent fishing conditions. I expect the river to stay high for at least the next 3 days.
August 21, 2006
Little Susitna River -- Yesterday I reported the river was higher than I`d ever seen it in 24 years of guiding, today it rose even more and continued to rise during the time Greg and I were guiding a large group of guests this morning. We found a couple very small areas where our guests were able to catch silver salmon, the entire group of 8 people kept 22 silver salmon -- just 2 fish shy of everyone catching their limit. In my boat all the silver salmon were caught on salmon eggs drifted under ESB Bobbers.
Looking at the USGS water chart the river level has started dropping above the Parks Highway, and I expect the water will likely peak on the lower river today and slowly start dropping by Tuesday morning.
August 22, 2006
Little Susitna River -- Scott Macintosh drove to the lower river this morning and reported that at the Little Susitna River Public Use Facillity Boat Launch the water was every bit as high as when my group quit fishing the river yesterday. From watching the USGS water chart I`d expected the water to drop somewhat on the lower river today, but it sounded like in the morning at least it was still extremely high. I did not guide a trip today, but will be guiding Wednesday morning, so check back Wednesday evening if you`d like to know how what my group catches and what the river level and water color is like.
August 23, 2006
Little Susitna River -- I guided a group of 4 guests in the morning each of whom caught their limit of silver salmon fishing salmon eggs under ESB Bobbers.
In the Afternoon I guided 3 people who each caught and released silver salmon and also caught 1 pink salmon. Most of their silver salmon were caught on #5 Flashtrap Spinners although, a few were caught on salmon eggs fished under ESB Bobbers.
The lower river had finally started dropping as of this morning and continued to drop during the day, although the water continues to be much higher than normal for this time of year, and when I ventured downriver in the afternoon the water was overflowing all the low banks below the landing. Fishing was excellent nonetheless,and I expect it to continue that way for a while. Give us a call at 907-746-2199 if you would like to join us on a silver salmon catching trip.
August 24, 2006
Little Susitna River -- I guided a morning group of 3 guests who released a good number of silver salmon and also ended up keeping limits of nice silvers. Most of the fish were caught on spinners, but the group also caught some silvers on salmon eggs fished under ESB Bobbers.
I guided an afternoon group of 3 guests who each caught their limit of silver salmon on salmon eggs drifted under ESB Bobbers. on both the morning and afternoon trips anglers caught some ocean fresh silver salmon with sea lice still clinging to them.
Water dropped more today, but remained high. In many places the current is too fast to anchor and have the anchor hold unless one has a very good anchor. In one of the spots we were fishing the boat got washed downstream several times, so we had to move back up and anchor another time until we once again got washed out of the hole. We have good avialability for the next week if you or someone you know would like to go on a silver salmon catching trip.
August 25, 2006
Little Susitna River -- I fished with a group of 3 guests in the morning and each of us caught and kept a limit of silver salmon. Most of the morning fish were caught on Flashtrap Spinners, but we also caught a good number on salmon eggs drifted under ESB Bobbers.
Greg Acord and I guided an afternoon group of 7 guests and all 3 of Greg`s guests limited on silver salmon, while my guest kept 7 and released some additional darker silver salmon. All of our fish in the afternoon were caught on salmon eggs fished under bobbers.
The river remains much higher than normal for this time of year and did not seem to drop at all during the day today. I`ll be out guiding another trip again tomorrow.
August 26, 2006
Little Susitna River -- I guided a morning group of 4 guests who each caught a limit of silver salmon on spinners and /or salmon eggs drifted under ESB Bobbers. The river dropped again today, and in another day or two may be low enough to moor boats on the presently mostly submerged mooring boulders. The river is definitely clearing up as well, and I expect the fishing to get better in numerous holes that have been overrun with too much water for the past week. We currently have good availability so give us a call at 907-746-2199 to join us on a salmon catching trip in the next couple weeks. Now is a good time to catch good numbers of salmon and still catch some bright sivler fish as well.
According to the USGS water chart for the Little Susitna River, the water should continue dropping significantly for the next few days and I am expecting exceptional fishing.
August 27, 2006
Little Susitna River -- I did not fish today, but talked with Norm Haynes who fished out of the Little Susitna River Public Use Facillity today, and reported the at the river had dropped about another 4 inches since yesterday and had continued to clear up more as well. Norm also mentioned his group caught fish and that fishing was good. I`ll be fishing a morning and afternoon group tomorrow, so check back Monday evening for those reports. We continue to have good availability this week, although I did reserve space for 4 different groups today. Give us a call at 907-746-2199 to join us on a silver salmon catching adventure this week.
August 28, 2006
Little Susitna River -- I fished with 2 guests in the morning, and everyone caught a limit of silver salmon on #4 or #5 Flashtrap Spinners, although we came back one salmon short after turning several salmon loose looking for more chrome fish.
I guided an afternoon group of 4 guests who limited on silver salmon most of which were caught on Flashtrap Spinners, but also a good number of which were caught on salmon eggs drifted under ESB Bobbers.
The water level and clarity continues to change as the river drops, but the water level is still very high in the lower river, and the changing conditions seem to put the salmon in some different holding areas. We caught good numbers of salmon today, but definitely had to fish harder and longer to do it. I`ll be guiding again tomorrow, so check back in the evening if for the latest updates.
August 29, 2006
Little Susitna River -- I guided 4 people in the morning who caught about 20 silver salmon, some of which were nice and chrome, but they released most of the salmon looking for addtional chrome fish. The group caught a fair amount of salmon on Flashtrap Spinners, but most of the fish were caught on salmon eggs drifted under ESB Bobbers. The river once again dropped sligthly overnight, but I am expecting it to drop significantly in the next day or two -- although it will likely remain higher than normal even after dropping. For another update, check back Wednesday evening to learn how my group does tomorrow.
August 30, 2006
Little Susitna River -- I guided a morning group of 4 guests who kept 9 silver salmon, although the caught a total of about 20 silver salmon. 1 silver salmon was caught on a Flashtrap Spinner, and all the others were caught on salmon eggs drifted under ESB Bobbers. As I expected, the water dropped overnight and during our trip, but the river level remains higher than it was at any time during the king salmon season this year.
For the past few years I`ve been guiding silver salmon trips until about mid September, but I`m beginning to wonder if it will last that long this year, as the number of silver salmon available seems to be dwindling, and it is also getting harder for us to find chrome fish.
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