Silver salmon still biting throughout Mat-Su

After last weekend’s rainy weather cooled water temperatures and raised stream levels, silver salmon have charged upstream in strong numbers at several locations, including Deshka River, Little Susitna River and Fish Creek. Many of the silver salmon that passed the weirs on these streams may now be out of the area commonly fished by most anglers; however, additional silvers continue to migrate through the lower stretches of each of these streams as well. Cooler water temperatures have put fish more in a biting mood — especially on the Deshka River.

Fish Creek, Cottonwood Creek, Wasilla Creek/Rabbit Slough regulations liberalized

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game recently issued an emergency order that raised the daily coho salmon bag limit on these streams to three per person. These three streams are normally open only on Saturday and Sunday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., but the department’s emergency order also opened these steams to salmon fishing on Mondays from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. as well. Note: Theses streams are only open to salmon fishing in specific areas and anglers unfamiliar with them should read a regulation booklet or consult with ADF&G staff before venturing out on these waters.

Parks Highway tributaries to the Susitna River

I talked with Susitna Landing operator Jeff Boatright Wednesday evening, and he reported that the water had been high and dirty over the weekend with the rain, but already on Monday it had dropped and cleared enough that anglers were having good success catching silver salmon from the bank and boats right near the campground and landing. Most success at this location is on salmon eggs, as the water is usually cloudy.

Greg Busch told me he and his son had fished at Sheep and Caswell Creeks last weekend with little success, but had at least seen others catching a few silver salmon. In addition, Greg’s son landed a nice silver salmon at Cashwell Creek. Note on Cashwell Creek: this is a very small fishing area best accessed by one small group of anglers at a time.

The most popular Susitna River tributary streams for bank angling are Willow Creek with its Alaska State Parks access near the creek mouth off Willow Creek Parkway, Sheep Creek using the parking and access site near its mouth, and Montana Creek with many anglers walking downstream to fish near the confluence with the Susitna River. Stream mouth locations often provide better fishing as salmon headed up each tributary often spend considerable time milling near the stream mouth and in addition, salmon that may be headed for totally different streams may also mill in the same area making them available for catching and harvesting in these areas.

Many highly successful anglers prefer to fish early morning for salmon, as the fish are often more active during lower light hours and less angler pressure has likely occurred on the at first light. Good fishing can occur later in the day as well — especially if the fish get a break from angling pressure — or whenever a new school of salmon ventures into a specific fishing area. This is another advantage for fishing Susitna River stream mouth areas, as fish just entering the clear tributary stream confluence areas on their trip up the silty Susitna River have been undisturbed from angler activity for a considerably amount of time and are more likely to bite.

Less crowded fishing ahead

With the start of hunting season, berry picking season, school schedules, school athletic seasons and the coming Alaska State Fair in Palmer, many people will be distracted from Mat-Su’s quality fisheries. For those who enjoy fishing at a quieter time of the season, mid- to late August and early September can provide that opportunity along with good chances to catch both sea-run salmon and trout in the many streams of the Valley. Depending upon the year, I’ve experienced good fishing for bright silver salmon into September at specific locations — it will be interesting to see how late good numbers of bright salmon are available in 2013. With summer waning, now is a good time to get out on the water, before temperatures and conditions change toward fall and winter.

Andy Couch owns and operates Fishtale River Guides (fish4salmon.com) and is a member of the Mat-Su Borough Fish and Wildlife Commission.