More high water hits Mat-Su salmon fisheries

After several days of rain, water levels were once again rising quickly at some of the Mat-Su Valley’s more popular salmon streams on Wednesday.

Near the Little Susitna Public Use Facility I would guest the water rose between 8 to 12 inches overnight, and it kept coming up as I guided a fishing charter that day. Our day started out with some quick action of silver salmon being caught on bait below bobbers, but before long the fishing slowed There were lots of sticks and some logs floating downstream, and I suspect the salmon were just trying to find some place to hunker down and avoid the onslaught of floating debris. After fishing longer than our standard six-hour charter each of my guests managed to harvest a 3-fish limit of silver salmon, and I felt fortunate they were able to get it done.

NOTE: The Little Susitna River silver salmon limit remains at three per person daily. Little Susitna River is not part of the Susitna River drainage.

Emergency bag and possession limit increase in the Susitna River Drainage, Units 1 to 6

On Tuesday the Alaska Department of Fish and Game increased the bag and possession limit for coho salmon to four per day and 8 in possession for all waters of the Susitna River drainage in Units 1-6 open to salmon fishing. This includes waters of the lower Susitna River like Alexander Creek and Deshka River, Yentna River and tributaries, Sustina River tributary streams between Willow and Talkeetna, the Talkeetna River drainage, the Chulitna River drainage. This action was based on angler and fishing guide reports of above average coho salmon catch rates throughout the Susitna River drainage, combined with attainment of the Deshka River coho salmon escapement goal range on August 12.

When I asked Mike Hudson, owner of 3 Rivers Fly and Tackle in Wasilla (373-5434) what he had heard about Mat-Su Valley fisheries this week, he mentioned good salmon numbers and catch raters throughout the Valley, but high water throughout most of the Mat-Su as well. Anglers had been reporting catching salmon as far up the Susitna River drainage as Clear Creek, however, high muddy waters were holding the catch rates down at many locations.

As expressed by other business owners last week, Mike was hopeful that fair weather in the later part of this week would allow water levels to drop and clear up before the weekend.

Mike had also heard positive salmon catching reports from Jim Creek and Eklutna Tailrace on the Knik River, Fish Creek near Knik — Goose Bay Road, Deshka River, and Little Susitna River. Mike said people that had learned how to float salmon roe under bobbers had been doing particularly well — even in the high water.

Keys to high water fishing success

Actively fish slower water spots. Attempt to locate and fish places where clearer tributary streams or runoffs enter the main river or stream. Use larger more brightly colored lures and baits that can attract fish from a greater distance in the higher (and usually muddier) water. Make your presentation as slow as possible to give salmon more time to find your lure or bait in the off-colored water. Remember or record the spots that produce for you during periods of high water, then try them again the next time your particular water body is high and dark colored.

Use high quality bait or scent that salmon can find through there legendary sense of smell, but don’t be afraid to change things up by throwing a lure once in a while. On several trips this past week my guests did just that, and caught additional silver salmon from several spots after switching from bait to lures or back to bait again.

Here’s to your High Water Success in the coming week. Bring your rain gear and Fish ON!

Andy Couch is a Mat-Su Valley salmon fishing guide and pro staff member for Pautzke Bait Company.