Fishing for dip nets

A friend and I launched one of my guide boats at Deshka Landing on Saturday, then boated downstream on the Susitna River, past the Deshka and Yentna River confluences, until we reached the Lower Susitna River personal use dip net fishery area. We then slowed down to putter along the banks in search of dip nets that may have been lost by participants in that personal use fishery this past July. Even though the river level was at least 4 or 5 feet lower, than when then fishery occurred, we were unable to find even one lost dip net. With cooler temperatures the turbid water had cleared enough that we could see another foot looking down into the Susitna River itself, but we could not sight anything that even resembled a bright aluminum dip net handle or hoop frame.

Better Fishing in the Good Old Days

My best year of dip net harvests occurred in October 2020 - the year the Alaska Board of Fisheries first adopted a personal use fishery on the lower Susitna River. We harvested a total of 4 lost dip nets that year, however, to be fair, I should also mention that on my first trip attempting to catch salmon from the lower Susitna River personal use fishery (during July) we quit fishing after losing all 4 of the dip nets we had on my boat. Of the 4 lost nets we were able to recover that October, only 1 net was one we had lost earlier the same year. After investing about $600 worth of lost dip nets on my first trip to the lower Susitna River dip netting area, I learned some some of the areas with considerable snags on the river bottom — that I have not fished since. I also learned a couple decent fishing locations with few underwater snags. I expect other participants in this fishery have learned the same lessons — so likely fewer nets may be lost during each additional dip net season.

Dressing for Success

Lower and clearer water greatly improves a person’s chance of finding dip nets, primarily lost by fishery participants, who likely lost nets while drifting or powering downriver in boats. The lowest river water level and most clear water condition often occurs just before ice starts forming or flowing down the river — so temperatures along the river will feel chilly — and even more, so considering boating time downriver from Deshka Landing may range from 45 minutes to an hour. Dress appropriately. On my last trip I wore a hoodie, a regular rain coat, an insulated rain coat, a person floatation device (PFD) and a winter hat and waterproof gloves over my base level shirt and pants. The ride in my open aluminum boat was bearable, but still chilly.

Gearing Up

We had along both a stout garden rake and a long gaff hook to assist in pulling nets out of the cold water. We also had a couple sharp knives, as it is preferable to remove rotting salmon carcasses and stinky net bags from dipnet frames before transporting the latter home in a boat or vehicle. A few plastic bags to store and transport stinky or damaged net bags are good to have on hand as well. Always bring extra boat gas. We also brought along a couple fishing rods, and tried our luck near the Deshka / Susitna River confluence on the way back to Deshka Landing.

Wildlife

I’ve seen seals, bear, moose, otter, beaver, coyotes, ducks, and plenty of bald eagles when boating this section of the Susitna River, however, flood level river flows earlier in September had flushed nearly all salmon carcasses from along the river banks, so on this particular trip, we only spotted a limited number of birds, very few of which were bald eagles.

Before searching for lost dip nets, I like to call the Deshka Landing office to be sure the boat launch and parking area(s) will still be open. I also take a look at the Deshka Landing Outdoor Association website weather cam to check and see if the river level may be low enough to find dip nets. Finally, let someone know where you are going, and when you plan to be back.