Fishing corner: Better access to better Mat-Su fishing

Two weeks ago I wrote a column about the need to upgrade Little Susitna River Road. To my knowledge it was the only fishing column I’ve written the entire summer to which people submitted comments to the Frontiersman’s online comment section.

One individual expressed a fear I’ve heard over the years, that better access could lead to more use by sport anglers — and therefore more participants could result in poorer fishing. This individual closed his comment with the following quote: “I’d rather have better fishing than a better road.”

After a season in which several Mat-Su Valley king salmon sport fisheries saw new restrictions, yet most Mat-Su streams with Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) established escapement goals failed to meet minimum king salmon escapement goal levels, and after a season in which the Little Susitna River coho salmon fishery was closed to bait fishing on Aug. 6, yet attainment of ADF&G’s Little Susitna River coho salmon spawning escapement goal remains highly questionable as of Aug. 24, I believe most Valley anglers, guides and others with a stake in Mat-Su Valley fishing economics strongly agree that all would like to see better fishing.

But why not ask for both better Mat-Su Valley sport fishing and better public access to those fisheries?

For decades I’ve heard people express the idea they might favor a poor road to the lower Little Susinta River, because it could keep others from using the public campground, public boat launch and public salmon fishery located there. To which I answer, shouldn’t the whole public be allowed to access the public resource on a road that measures up to state standards?

Still, some folks maintain an irrational thought that a poor driving route to Little Susitna River may magically keep substantial numbers of other individuals from accessing this public fishery during peak fishing periods.

For a quick reality check, visit Little Susitna River Public Use Facility at about 7 a.m., Aug. 6 (the normal opening day for bait fishing). Good luck finding a camping or parking spot — and bring your own rock to stand on!

As I’ve mentioned previously in this column, and as supported by ADF&G data, Little Susitna River has (for more than 30 years) been the premier coho salmon sportfishing destination in the entire Mat-Su Valley. In addition, for public boaters there are only four large, well-maintained boat launches in close proximity to prime Mat-Su salmon fisheries. These sites are:

1. Deshka Landing.

2. Little Susitna River Pubic Use Facility.

3. Talkeetna Boat Launch.

4. Susitna Landing.

With this shortage of boating access to high-in-demand salmon fisheries, even a poor road to the premier coho fishery closest to Mat-Su’s core population center will not keep large numbers of sport anglers from accessing the public resource.

To my way of thinking, all poor driving conditions along Ayrshire Road and Little Susitna River Road to the Little Susinta River Public Use Facility really accomplish is ruining good vehicles before their time, maintaining a state of substandard, and therefore unsafe driving conditions, and keeping some portion of the public from accessing the public resource during off-peak periods.

What advantage is there to any of this?

More public demand leads to better fishing

In my humble opinion, we will only get better fishing for more people in the Mat-Su Valley after a significant portion of Mat-Su anglers and business people start making their wishes known to those who make such decisions. This includes discussing specific ideas with Mat-Su legislators, ADF&G managers and Alaska Board of Fisheries members on an ongoing basis. Like gaining substantial improvements to the driving route to Little Susitna River Public Use Facility, the route to consistently better Mat-Su Valley fishing will take a concerted effort over time and will only be accomplished when enough advocates step up to the challenge.

Personal invitation to express your thoughts

If you read this far, you’ve taken some time to consider my thoughts. It would be interesting to know what others think. Comments, anyone?

Andy Couch owns and operates Fishtale River Guides (fish4salmon.com), is a Mat-Su Anglers Club member (matsuanglers.org) and member of the Mat-Su Mayor’s Blue Ribbon Sportsmen’s Committee. Email this column at sports@frontiersman.com if you have Mat-Su fishing questions or information readers may find useful.