2014 silver salmon still providing opportunities

Although most Mat-Su anglers have put away their salmon rods for the season, on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday of this week I fished one group of anglers each day on the Little Susinta River from the Little Susitna River Public Use Facility with each guest catching decent condition silver salmon. We had to sort through some darker fish to get the better ones, so there was a considerable amount of action on each trip.

On Monday and Wednesday we saw one other angler fishing each day, and on Tuesday we did not see another angler during our entire six-hour trip. Since the Little Susitna River opened to bait fishing on August 6, all except one of my guests’ salmon have been caught by drifting fire cured salmon roe under ESB Bobbers. Using that one technique and moving around to several prime spots has been so effective at catching salmon that only two guests have even attempted to fish lures on my charter during that same time frame.

Eklutna Tailrace silver salmon

On Sept. 6, a Saturday afternoon, I took two of my nephews silver salmon fishing at Eklutna Tailrace. It was beautiful with the sun shining while we were at the tailrace, and there was a considerable amount of other anglers out trying their luck as well. We did not fish near the people at the confluence of the tailrace with the Knik River, but instead fished mainly above the pedestrian bridge.

While we did not hook any fish, the impressive thing to me about this trip was the large number of salmon we saw surfacing in the tailrace. It kept our interest up for a while, and made me think people fishing the tailrace early in the morning, would get first opportunity to catch any newly arriving silver salmon moving up over night. I am sure some of the salmon surfacing in the tailrace would still be reluctant to bite, but similar to my salmon charters I would bet getting first shot at the fish would dramatically increase the chance of catching them.

Fish Creek silver salmon

The early September silver salmon counts past the Fish Creek weir have been impressive and show that there is still opportunity to catch fish at this short roadside fishery as well. Through the most recent post on Sept. 9, daily silver salmon weir counts have been at least in double digit numbers every day, with 924 silvers swimming past the weir last Friday and another big slug of 804 passing the weir on Saturday.

Like other silver salmon producers fishing can be spotty this time of year.

To increase the chance of success I would: 1. Try fishing before and during the incoming tide, 2. Search for fish up and downstream throughout the area open to salmon fishing, 3. Consider making multiple trips.

Parks Highway trout fishing

Mike Hudson of 3 Rivers Fly and Tackle reported some anglers were having very good success catching trout on the middle sections of both Montana and Willow Creek. Many anglers either float or walk these sections, so they can move from spot to spot in order to find better concentrations of fish. Mike also mentioned that anglers have been catching more Doll Varden from these two particular streams than has occurred in the past.

Jeff Boatright at Susitna Landing reported most people using the landing at this time are hunting — with the first bulll moose taken through the landing recently. Jeff said the better fall fishing near Susitna Landing would occur once the water level dropped enough to concentrate trout, char and grayling near the landing. Once that occurred he expected to see one or two groups of fly fishers out per day.

Talkeetna River fishing

When I talked with Margo Nealis of Phantom Tri River Charters in Talkeetna this week, she reported there are still good number of silver salmon available, however, most of the fish are getting dark and not in good shape for keeping. Margo mentioned that while their charters have been catching some trout, she expects trout fishing should pick up considerably once fall water levels start dropping and the trout move down from the tributaries into the stream mouths and the main river.

Mat-Su stocked lakes

I’ve heard from several people that stocked lakes are providing some hot action this time of year. Cooler temperatures often bring fish into shallower water, and like salmon fishing, fall angling pressure has dropped off considerably on most of the lakes, providing low-pressure fishing for those that prefer such.

Big Lake Fishing Derby

BIg Lake Chamber of Commerce sent me a notice that their Fall Big Lake Fishing Derby will take place from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sept. 27 and 28 with registration and check in taking place at Burkeshore Marina. Adult tickets are $20 with child tickets at $5. Learn more by contacting Co-Chairs Jillyan Henderson 907-232-0602 or Katie Gittlen 907-232-5007.

Good Luck!

Andy Couch owns and operates Fishtale River Guides www.fish4salmon.com , and is a member of the Matanuska - Susitna Borough Fish and Wildlife Commission.