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Fish with Quantum Performance Tuned rods & reels on Andy Couch's boat.

Alaska Fishing Reports 2006

Viewing: July 2006

July 01, 2006

Susitna River Tributaries -- I guided 4 people in the morning who each caught and kept a king salmon. All of the salmon were caught on K-15 Kwikfish. The kings weighed from about 20 - 30 pounds and were in good shape -- especially for July kings. Cool cloudy morning weather may have helped the fishing.

Little Susitna River -- Greg Acord told me his morning and afternoon groups both caught king salmon on the Little Su today.

July 02, 2006

Susitna River Tributaries -- In the morning I fished with family and friends and we each caught and kept a king salmon. Most of the salmon were caught on K-15 Kwikfish, but some were also caught on Beau Mac Spinning Cheaters fished behind Luhr Jensen jet divers.

In the afternoon I guided a group of 5 guests who each caught king salmon weighing between 20 and 25 pounds. All of the king salmon were caught on K-15 Kwikfish.

July 03, 2006

Susitna River Tributaries -- I guided a morning group of 4 guests who each caught king salmon weighing between 20 and 35 pounds. All of the king salmon were caught on K-15 Kwikfish.

In the afternoon I took family fishing and 6 out of 9 people fishing caught king salmon. All of the salmon were once again caught on K-15 Kwikfish. Most of the salmon from the tributaries I fished over the 3 day weekend are getting a red blush, but I am hoping guests will catch several bright silver king salmon when we fish the Deshka River on Tuesday.

July 04, 2006

Deshka River -- I guided a group of 5 guests who caught 4 king salmon (the larger two of which weighed about 20 pounds) and two silver salmon. 1 silver salmon and 1 king salmon were caught on salmon eggs fished with a sinker along the bottoom, and the remaining 3 king salmon and 1 silver salmon were caught on salmon eggs drifted below ESB Bobbers.

Silver Salmnon Update -- The Upper Cook Inlet Commercial fishermen continue to catch impressive numbers of silver salmon for this early in the season -- especailly the Northern District fishery (which is the fishery closest to the rivers we guide on) so I expect to see continually more silver salmon showing up on our remaining king salmon trips as well as more early chum salmon on Little Susitna River trips.

The number of people fishing both the Little Susitna and Deshka Rivers has dropped off, so we`ve been enjoying the opportunity to be the first boats fishing several different holes. We currently have some prime morning space available on most dates for those interested in a guided or charter trip. Give us a call at 907-746-2199 to make your reservation.

July 05, 2006

Deshka River -- I guided 4 guests who caught 2 king salmon on salmon eggs fished under ESB Bobbers. One of the king salmon was small weighing about 10 pounds, but the other a 35 pounder was the largest king one of my guests has caught from the Deshka this season. We had difficulty finding many salmon and getting them to bite. The Water on the Deshka is continuing to drop. Hopefully some cooler weather will improve the salmon fishing the next few days.

The Deshka River Weir king salmon count is now over 27,000 fish for the season, and it looks like the king salmon return will once again pass the top end of the escapement goal range at 28,000. The first 5 silvers also swam through the Deshka River Weir yesterday (July 4).

July 06, 2006

Deshka River -- I guided an evening group of 2 guests who caught 1 king salmon and 1 silver salmon on salmon eggs drifted below ESB Bobbers. In addition we saw good numbers of salmon rolling in the holes we were fishing and the guests had many additional bites and hooked and lost some other salmon. A highlight to this trip was that in addition to the numerous bald eagles and beavers we usually see when traveling to and fishing the Deshka, we also saw a moose, grizzly bear swimming a channel of the Susitna River, and a porcupine waddling along a bank of the Deshka.

July 07, 2006

Deshka River -- I guided a group of 4 guests who caught 6 silver salmon and 4 king salmon. 2 silver salmon and 2 king salmon were caught on a corkie and salmon eggs fished on the bottom and the remaining 4 silver salmon and 2 king salmon were caught on salmon eggs drifted below ESB Bobbers. It was a cool cloudy day which seems to make for better fishing on the Deshka -- especially when the water is low as it is right now. We are still catching chrome bright king salmon although there are also rosy colored kings in the mix as well.

Deshka River Weir Count Could Mean Possible King Season Extension -- The king salmon weir count has now surpassed 28,000 which is the top end of Alaska Department of Fish and Game`s Deshka River king salmon escapement goal. Surpassing this goal range could be justification for extending the Deshka River king salmon season (from the river mouth to the weir) through the end of July. Last year the Deshka king salmon season was extended to the end of July, but only a couple miles upstream from the mouth and very few additional king salmon were harvested. Openning the river a full 7 miles up to the weir for king salmon (through July 31) seems justifiable in that people already fish most, if not all, of the holes below the weir for silver salmon. In the process of fishing salmon eggs for silvers, king salmon that are willing to bite are already being caught. Extending the season would simply allow people an opportunity to harvest a portion of these king salmon -- afterall, according to the Department`s best science there is already more than enough king salmon upstream of the weir for spawning purposes.

Stay tuned for more about a possible king salmon season extension or call the Alaska Department of Fish and Game in Palmer at 907-746-6300.

July 08, 2006

Susitna River Tributaries including Deshka River -- I guided a group of 4 guests who caught 6 king salmon the largest of which weighed 20 pounds. One king salmon was caught on a K-15 Kwikfish, and the remaining 5 kings were caught on salmon eggs drifted under ESB Bobbers at the Deshka. Like usual we saw plenty of bald eagles along the Deshka and a couple of beavers. We talked to an Alaska Department of Fish and Game employee at the weir who told us that about half of the last king salmon they had sampled were bright silver, but all of the salmon our group caught today were rosy colored.

July 09, 2006

Little Susitna River -- Jeff Chon, who is guiding with me this summer, and I went prospecting for silver salmon. We spent our time casting #4 and #5 silver and black Flashtrap Spinners, and each of us limited on nice large Little Susitna silver salmon. The water is low and relatively clear, and while we saw not a sinlge fish jump, careful casting produced exceptional results for this early in the season.

July 10, 2006

Susitna River Tributaries including Deshka River -- I guided a group of 4 guests in the morning who caught 3 king salmon, two of which were in exceptionaly nice shape for July kings. The largest king weighed an estimated 25 - 30 pounds. One king salmon was caught on a #4 silver and black Flashtrap Spinner, and the remaining two king salmon were caught at the Deshka on salmon eggs fished under ESB Bobbers.

I guided an afternoon group of 4 guests who caught 3 king salmon and 5 silver salmon. One king salmon was caught on a K-15 Kwikfish and the remaining 2 king salmon and 5 silver salmon were all caught on salmon eggs fished under ESB Bobbers at the Deshka River. In addition to the fish we caught at we also saw quite a few salmon rolling that we were unable to get to strike.

July 11, 2006

Deshka River -- I guided a morning group of 3 guests and we who enjoyed the best morning of king salmon fishing on my boat in several days. The group caught a total of 8 king salmon, some of which they released, and 1 silver salmon. 2 of the king salmon weighed an estimated 25 - 30 pounds and 3 king salmon were exceptionaly bright chrome July king salmon. All of the fish were caught on salmon eggs drifted below ESB Bobbers.

Only two days of king salmon fishing left, and then we will be transitioning right into silver salmon fishing. As mentioned in several of my recent reports, we are already catching silver salmon most days now -- which is early for such good silver salmon action. I expect the fishing will continually get better for silver salmon. In addition, there are chum salmon in both the Susitna River Tributaries and the Little Susitna River at this time also. Give us a call at 907-746-2199 if you would like to fish with us for some of these July salmon at a time when fishing pressure along the rivers is relatively light.

July 12, 2006

Deshka River -- I guided a group of 4 guests who each caught and kept 2 king salmon. Most of the kings weighed between 20 and 25 pounds, and had a rose colored blush. All of the salmon were caught by drifting salmon eggs under ESB Bobbers. We saw what I thought were silver salmon rolling a few times, but kept catching king salmon and never did hook a silver salmon. On the trip back up the Susitna River we saw a nice big bull moose that had waded out into a channel of the river -- perhaps to cool off from the afternoon sunshine.

July 13, 2006

Deshka River -- I guided 4 guests who caught 6 king salmon on salmon eggs fished under ESB Bobbers, but the kings were all dark and they only kept two of them. Today was the last day of king salmon season, and I`ll be guiding the same group tomorrow specifically for silver salmon -- we may also target some chum salmon as well. I`ve mentioned several times that the silver salmon are off to a strong early start, and tomorrow will be my first trip of the season when I`m focused on guiding guests towards silvers. While I know several spots where silvers will likely be, other guides and private anglers will likely be wanting to fish the same holes. I`m excited to see how my group will do -- check back Friday evening to learn about our first silver salmon trip.

Trip Highlight -- my group saw and briefly watched a wolf along the banks of the Deshka River today. A talked to another guided who whose group of fishermen also watched a wolf along the Deshka today, and from his description they sounded like different individual animals. While it was exciting to for us to see wolves -- we`ve been seeing the results of a higher wolf population all season along the Susitna River -- where we`ve seen much fewer moose than previous years.

July 14, 2006

Susitna River System -- I guided 4 guests who caught a 12 silver salmon (9 of which they kept) and several incidental king salmon all of which were released since king salmon season closed yesterday. Some of the king salmon my guests caught were in excellent shape -- although most were dark and some were very dark. All of the salmon were caught on salmon eggs -- either fished below ESB Bobbers or fished with a sinker along the bottom. We had a an excellent silver salmon trip for this early in the season, however, silver salmon fishing remains spotty with some good action IF and When a good school of silvers is found that has not already been worked over, and not so good silver salmon fishing at other times. I`m hoping for as good a trip tomorrow, but know we may not get on good biting silvers as well. If we are extremely fortunate we may do even better on silvers, but I would definitley consider it extreme good fortune. Silver salmon fishing is now good enough that I expect to catch some silver salmon on just about every trip -- and especially morning trips.

July 15, 2006

Susitna River System -- I guided a group of 4 guests that limited on silver salmon, and also incidentally caught and released a few king salmon. Some of the king salmon were nice bright fish that must have been drawn in by rising water. We fished salmon eggs below ESB Bobbers, salmon eggs with sinkers, and salmon eggs behind jet divers and caught silvers with each of these methods. We also cast a Flashtrap Spinner without success. The water was muddy and rising from last night`s rain, making fishing conditions much different from yesterday. I`ll be fishing the Susitna Drainage again tomorrow.

July 16, 2006

Susitna River System -- I guided 4 people in the morning who caught 5 silver salmon and 2 king salmon all on salmon eggs fished under ESB Bobbers. The water throughout the Susitna Drainage was very high.

In the afternoon I guided a group of 6 guests who caught 5 silver salmon on salmon eggs fished with a sinker along the bottom and also under ESB Bobbers. Silvers continue to show up in greater abundance.

July 17, 2006

Susitna River System -- I guided a group of 4 guests who caught 5 silver salmon on salmon eggs fished behind jet divers and salmon eggs fished under ESB Bobbers. The water levels on the Susitna River and many tributary streams remains quite high. Water temperatures are good and cool following the rainy weather the past few days.

July 19, 2006

Little Susitna River -- Jeff Chon guided a morning group of 3 guests who caught 2 silver salmon and a half dozen chum salmon on Flashtrap Spinners.

I guided an afternoon group of 2 guests who caught 3 silver salmon on Flashtrap Spinners and 1 pink salmon on a K-13 Kwikfish. The chartreuse and silver #4 spinner pattern accounted for all of the silvers. In addition I saw several schools of chum salmon that we fished over that did not seem to be in the biting mood. I suspect fishing would have been better in the morning as we saw several boats either fishing or travelling that must have been fishing before we showed up. I did not see large numbers of fish, but definitely saw decent numbers. People who are good at casting artificials should catch salmon.

July 20, 2006

Deshka River -- I fished in the evening with family and we caught 8 silver salmon on salmon eggs drifted below ESB Bobbers and salmon eggs drifted along the bottom. The silvers were moving very well in the evening, and the Susitna and Deshka Rivers had dropped considerably.

July 21, 2006

Susitna River Drainage -- I guided a group of 4 guests who caught 12 silver salmon, 5 king salmon, and 1 pink salmon. Most of the salmon were caught on salmon eggs drifted under ESB Bobbers, but some were also caught on salmon eggs drifted with a sinker along the bottom, and two were caught on Flashtrap Spinners. The last two trips there have been big schools of salmon jumping at the mouth of the Deshka River.

July 22, 2006

Little Susitna River -- I guided a morning group of 5 guests, 4 of whom caught their limit of silver salmon, and one who hooked a couple salmon, but did not land one. All of the fish were hooked while casting with Flashtrap Spinners.

July 23, 2006

Little Susitna River -- I guided a morning group of 5 guests who caught 3 chums, 2 silvers, and a couple pink salmon all on Flashtrap Spinners. We got on a good school of fish that was biting fairly well, but also ended up losing several salmon and then getting the school stirred up to where they were reluctent to bite

I guided an afternoon group of 6 guests who caught 2 silver salmon and 1 chum salmon on Flashtrap Spinners. We fished lots of prime holes, and hooked and lost a few other salmon, but for the most part my guests simply could not get many bites -- and the group was made up of much better than average casters, so I felt like I should be able to get find them more biters than what we found.

I`ll have this same group tomorrow morning and am looking forward to a larger catch -- perhaps limits. Check back to learn how we do. Expect a big push of more salmon into the Little Susitna soon.

July 24, 2006

Little Susitna River -- I guided a morning grup of 6 guests who kept 6 silver salmon and 4 chum salmon, but also also released some silver, chum, and pink salmon. All of the salmon were caught on Flashtrap Spinners with #3 black and #4 silver and black producing the best results.

I guided an afternoon group of 5 guests who caught 7 silver salmon, 1 pink salmon, and 2 chum salmon on Flashtrap Spinners -- #3 silver and black, #4 silver and black, and #3 black were the best patterns in the afternoon.

July 25, 2006

Little Susitna River -- I guided 2 people in the morning who each caught a limit of silver salmon on Flashtrap Spinners. #3 black, and #3 and #4 silver and black were the patterns that caught the salmon. We were able to sight fish to good groups of salmon, and that provided some excitement, although the guests had to work at coaxing the salmon into striking. The river is getting quite low and salmon are not holding in all of their normal spots, so some rain and higher water would likely bring in even more salmon and at the same time spread them out more.

July 26, 2006

Little Susitna River -- I guided a morning group of 2 guests who limited with 2 silver salmon and 1 chum salmon per person. All of the salmon were caught on Flashtrap Spinners -- and the patterns producing fish were #4 silver and black, #3 silver and black, #3 black, and #4 brass.

I guided an afternoon group of 4 guests who caught 6 silver salmon and 2 chum salmon on #3 black, and #4 silver and black Flashtrap Spinners. Water conditions are low, but temperature remains cool to the touch. I`m planning to fish mroning and afternoon groups on Little Su again tomorrow, so check in late if you`d like to know how my groups do.

July 27, 2006

Little Susitna River -- I guided a morning group of 4 guests who caught 3 silver salmon, 5 chum salmon, and a pink salmon on Flashtrap Spinners. #4 silver and black and #3 black were patterns that produced fish in the morning. We spent the entire morning sight fishing, and the salmon were reluctant to strike most of the time. The river level is considerably lower than average for this time of year. We saw good numbers of chum and silver salmon, but few pink salmon, and no sockeye salmon (that could be identified as such).

I guided an afternoon group of 2 guests who caught 2 silver salmon, 1 chum salmon, and 1 pink salmon. All of the fish were hooked on #5 Flashtrap Spinner patterns with silver blades. The group saw lots of salmon rolling, and also hooked and lost several fish and caught and released 1 snagged silver salmon.

July 28, 2006

Little Susitna River -- I guided a group of 4 guests who caught 9 silver salmon, 2 chum salmon, 3 pink salmon, and 1 king salmon primarily on #3 black and #4 silver and black Flashtrap Spinners. There are lots of salmon in the river right now.

July 29, 2006

Little Susitna River -- I guided a morning group of 3 guests who each caught a limit of silver salmon on Flashtrap Spinners. Top producing lure patterns for the morning trip were #3 pink, #4 orange, and #5 silver.

I guided an afternoon group of 3 guests who caught 5 silver salmon and 1 pink salmon all on Flashtrap Spinners. #4 orange and #5 silver spinner patterns produced fish in the afternoon.

Susitna River -- I`ll be guiding a trip to Susitna River tributaries (perhaps including the Deshka River) tomorrow, so check back late Sunday evening to learn how we fared.

July 30, 2006

Susitna River Tributaries -- Pat Donelson and I guided two boat charters of 3 people each and every one kept a limit of silver salmon, and also caught and released some pink salmon. Our guests caught salmon on salmon eggs under ESB Bobbers, #3 Flashtrap and Vibrax Spinners, and dark colored leach flies. Water level was low and clear and our groups we sight fishing about half of the time.

July 31, 2006

Pat Donelson and I guided two boats charters on Susitna River Tributary streams and each guest caught several silver salmon. Silvers were caught on flies, salmon eggs fished under ESB Bobbers, and spinners. The water had risen and colored up a bit on some tributary streams following yesterday`s rain.