Fishing report: Final stretch of the season

Looking at my calendar recently I noticed that the summer fishing season had finally come to an end of sorts. While fishing remains open throughout most areas of the Mat-Su Valley we are now transitioning into a new season called autumn or fall. I’ve pulled both of my guide boats from the river boat launch areas where they spent most of the summer, and as the foliage on the vegetation has turned to brilliant shades of gold and scarlet I’ve also stored my salmon fishing rods away for the season.

I’ve even been experiencing serious withdrawal symptoms from my fishing habit that took most of my waking hours throughout the summer. My wife has been working at getting me to catch up on neglected chores around the house in preparation for the coming cold weather that can not be to far off now.

Parks Highway trout fishing

I snuck out of the house Wednesday of this week and drove over to 3 RIvers Fly and Tackle in Wasilla for a sneak peak at what is happening fishing wise in the valley. While there were considerably less customers than one would see in the summer, there were several individual anglers stopping by the shop for a fishing report or a few fishing items as they headed up the Parks Highway to enjoy some gorgeous early fall weather and search for rainbow trout or Dolly Varden char in the tributary streams draining into the Little Susitna River.

Regulations call for the use of single hook artificial lures at this time when going after trout, and most of the fish caught must be released ( be sure to check fishing regulations for specific streams before you go if you intend to keep any fish). Most of the anglers venturing forth at this time of year are going primarily to catch and release fish at a time when there is very little fishing pressure along most of the stream stretches. It is a time to get out and enjoy what remains of summer like conditions before old man winter slams the ice door over the streams.

Tackle shop owner, Mike Hudson, told me and anglers walking into the shop looking for a fishing report that the streams were a bit high, but clear and they had been fishing well. Mike had been out fishing himself recently and told of catching fish at Willow, Montana, and Sheep Creeks.

The two items he recommended for success were Dolly Lama flies and salmon egg imitating beads (most often fished on a fly rod). He also mentioned that the fish had been dropping down in the tributary streams and seemed more abundant in the areas closed to the stream mouths and actually in some of the areas where the clear tributary streams mixed with the muddier Susitna River.

Most of the people stopping by the shop were not getting a very early start to their fishing, but rather waiting a bit until the sunshine had a chance to melt the overnight frost and warm up outside temperatures a bit. It is often much more pleasant fishing in the afternoon this time of year. Mike had also mentioned that Talkeetna River was clearing considerably with cooler temperatures now and a break from recent rains so he expected good fishing at that location as well.

Mat-Su stocked lakes provide another option for anglers looking to catch some open water fishing before freeze up.

Like the tributary streams to the Susitna River they should provide a good opportunity to do this as long as the water isn’t freezing. Depending upon the year this window of fall open water fishing opportunity can extend well into October or even early November — however it all depends upon overnight and daily temperatures. Lake fishing is often not disturbed by periods of rain that may muddy and slow the fishing in streams before freeze up. We are definitely at the stage of year where it is best to get out and go whenever a good period of weather exists, as no one knows when will be the last good opportunity for the season.

Big Lake Fishing Derby

As mentioned in my column two weeks ago the Big Lake Fishing Derby is scheduled for this weekend with registration at Burkeshore Marina.

I read recently that there is currently over $10,000 in prizes for this event with prizes to be given for several different categories. If you are interested in participating you will likely want to call co chairs Jillian Henderson at 907-232-0602 or Katie Gittlen at 907-232-5007 as soon as possible.

I had intended to write a season wrap up of what happened primarily during the summer fishing season for this week’s column, but decided to go with the more time sensitive issue of what is happening in the Mat-Su Valley right now.

With fall officially upon on us at this time, I intend this to be my last regular fishing column for the season, although I’m considering writing an occasional article as fishing related activities happen through the fall, winter, and spring.

Good fishing.

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