Fishing the Deshka River in April

Last week I reported on the warm spring and unusually early open water fishing opportunities it was providing Mat-Su anglers. This week I wanted to let anglers know what one specific early season fishing opportunity provides. On April 27, I had the opportunity to boat to Deshka River and fish with Ben Allen (owner, Miller’s Riverboat Service 715-1085) and another friend “Charlie.”

Although the Deshka Landing boat launch is not yet open to the general public, it is open to members of Deshka Landing and season pass holders. After entering the facility, loading the boat with gear in preparation for launching, we drove toward the launch. Several piles of snow in the parking area and the resulting soft ground in the parking area could easily been seen — the reason Deshka Landing has not yet officially opened to all boaters. There is simply not enough high dry ground for use in the parking area at this time. As Ben drove toward the launch I was sitting on a boat seat and feeling the cool air on my face. Even at 8 a.m., wearing a hoodie and a heavy raincoat, that air was invigorating to say the least, and we had not even put the boat in the water!

The launch itself is in great shape, and it took little time for Ben to back the trailer in the water and me to motor the boat free. Ben parked the truck and trailer at the top of the hill while I continued to warm up the motor, and in a few minutes Charlie, Ben, and I were heading down the Susitna River toward the Deshka River confluence. The Susitna River is low and cold this time of year, with a few large ice chunks along the banks, but with Ben operating his shallow running jet boat, and sticking to the deeper water channels, the ride was comfortably uneventful.

Although Ben, Charlie, and I had never heard of anyone catching or even seeing a king salmon from the Deshka River during the month of April, we fished for about 3 hours in the area between the Deshka River confluence with the Susitna River and then upstream along the Deshka River to the Deshka River Lodge. We spotted an eagle, then a trumpeter swan, ate some apples, and fished the entire time, but did not get any bites or see any king salmon. Fortunately it was a a sunny day, and warm enough to feel pleasant when the boat was not moving. Along the Deshka River itself there was very little snow / ice to be seen. The Deshka river current had enough speed to back troll in the mouth area, but was slow enough to indicate the back trolling opportunity may not last long as Deshka River water level is already dropping. We only caught a very small amount of grass, and no one snagged bottom at all.

Having proven to our satisfaction that all king salmon near the Deshka River mouth were in an uncooperative mood, we were off to look for upriver fishing catching possibilities. Ben had asked me what I thought our chances of catching fish were on the day before our trip. After thinking it over, my thought was 100 percent but not too likely the fish would be a king salmon. Our next stop at an upstream Deshka River side slough left no doubt on the fish catching aspect of the trip, as Charlie, Ben, and I all caught northern pike on single hook spinners.

My first pike came on my first cast. I felt the fish jolt my spinner 3 times during the retrieve, but was unable to hook it until the third attack. From my experience, it is considerably more difficult hooking pike with a single hook spinner versus a treble hook spinner, but when regulations require the use of a single hook, that is what one uses. Each of us enjoyed the pike action and experienced several bites — even if we did not hook/land most of them. Ben even caught a couple pike on flies.

Our final two stops were at grayling holes, and both Charlie and Ben landed multiple grayling on flies, while I simply worked the water to a froth and admired their handiwork. We saw more swans, eagles, and ducks while fishing upriver, but how quickly our day passed, and it was time to boat back after several fine hours on the water.

Around the Mat-Su

Susitna Landing — note last week I had the landing phone number listed incorrectly. The correct number is 495-7700. Joe Rouswell reported that some anglers are catching rainbow trout and burbot from the campground area, and although water level is low, the boat launch is open and the first two boats went out of the landing last weekend.

Talkeetna — Margo Nealis with Tri River Charters (733-2400) told me someone had a small river boat out on the river Tuesday, and Tri River Charters was planning to put their first charter boat in the water Wednesday and start running fishing charters and river taxi drops offs at Clear Creek.

Deshka Landing (495-3374) — boat launch open for members and season pass holders this weekend.

Eklutna Tailrace — from Sunday May 1 —May 13 power generation is scheduled to be shut down due to annual maintenance. Expect extremely low water flow through the tailrace at this time and plan to fish somewhere else until mid May.

Mat-Su Valley Stocked Lakes — remain as some of the best fishing catching and boating opportunities in the valley at this time. Ice is clearing off more of the lakes north of Big Lake (including Nancy Lake).

Matanuska Valley Fish and Game Advisory Committee Election — Wednesday 7 p.m. at Wasilla High School. Run for a spot on the committee or come elect people that represent you on local and statewide fishing, hunting, trapping, and access issues.

Fish On!

Andy Couch is a 30-year Mat-Su Valley fishing guide and member of the Matanuska Valley Fish and Game Advisory Committee. This column is the opinion of the author and does not necessarily reflect the views of the Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman or its parent company, Wick Communications.