Anglers waiting for the silvers to arrive

MAT-SU — After the disappointing king salmon run that led to the closure of most of the popular fishing spots, many Mat-Su anglers are craving the coho.

And while the silvers will be slipping up Valley streams soon, anglers will have a little bit of a wait until the coho begin crashing upstream.

“It’s still early now. We’re kind of in between runs,” Alaska Department of Fish and Game assistant area biologist Sam Ivey said on Monday. “We’re a week or two out.”

Ivey didn’t rule out the possibility of catching an early coho during the upcoming weekend. There have been reports of silvers in the Little Susitna.

Red Salmon have been reported in Clear and Larson creeks, Ivey said, and back on the Knik River side, reds could show up in Jim Creek next week.

“There may be a few silvers in with the reds too,” Ivey said.

Ivey said there have been no reports of silvers in the Deshka, but the water levels have been low.

“Usually the silvers don’t want to move whatsoever when the water is low and warm,” Ivey said.

Ivey said biologists generally tell people to aim for the silvers in late July and August.

In the meantime, trout fishing in area lakes and streams is expected to be very good. Many of the Parks Highway fishers that have been closed due to the poor king run are back open as of today.

Among the waters that have been closed since early this month are Willow Creek, Little Willow, Montana Creek and the Little Susitna.

“On most Parks Highway streams, the trout fishing is really good,” Ivey said.

With the low and clear water, Ivey said, it’s fairly easy to traverse the creeks in many areas with chest waders or even hip boots.

Anglers typically have success with small spinners, flesh flies and egg patterns have been

Ivey said fishing in the local lakes has also been very good throughout the Valley.

“This time of year its sometimes a good idea to hit up the trout fisheries,” Ivey said. “Fishing’s really good while you’re waiting for another run of salmon.”