They're here: Kings hitting Valley streams

June 19, 2007

By MATT TUNSETH/Frontiersman

MAT-SU -Whatever mysterious signal lets returning salmon know it's time to return home finally kicked in over the past week.

Up until last weekend, king salmon anglers had few options in their search for a lunker, as the Little Susitna River was the only Mat-Su stream producing respectable catch numbers. But that all began to change about a week ago, and now Valley anglers have their pick of area hot spots to choose from.

&#8220It's pretty spread out now,” Alaska Department of Fish and Game sportfish biologist Dave Rutz said Monday.

Rutz said that most king fisheries are now in good shape, with the Deshka River the hottest as of the past weekend.

&#8220We're still pushing ‘em through the Deshka pretty good,” he said.

Rutz said department fish count numbers have topped a thousand fish on the Deshka at least twice over the past week.

However, anglers hoping to nab a king better get after it soon. With the rapidly-warming summer temperatures currently baking the Valley, Rutz said fishing on the Deshka could slow down as water temperatures rise.

&#8220They become a little lethargic,” he said.

Other fisheries worth giving a shot, he said, include the Eklutna Tailrace and the Little Su. He also noted anglers with a boat would be wise to try Lake Creek. For bigger fish, he said he's heard good things about the Kashwitna north of Willow.

In reality, he said that the kings appear to be hitting pretty much Valley-wide, and now is the time to get after them.

&#8220They're going pretty good,” he said.

And while salmon tend to grab most of the headlines, Rutz said other options are also available. Trout fishing continues to be solid, though he noted that anglers might have to spend a bit of time working the water to find them.

&#8220Right now they're not congregated, so you gotta fish a lot of water,” he said.

Rutz said that this time of year, trout will go for leeches, sculpins, bunny bugs or - despite the fact that salmon aren't yet on the spawn - beads.

&#8220They're not that smart, after all,” he said.

Mat-Su King Salmon Derby

Luke Connor took over the top spot in the Mat-Su King Salmon Derby this week when he hauled in a 58.9-pound lunker on June 15. Connor's wasn't the only big fish entered in the derby, as Maynard Young moved into second place with a 52.9-pounder caught June 16.

Connor took home the top prize in the derby for week four in the adult division, while Maynard won the week's pro class prize.

In the youth division, Luke Warta was the weekly winner with his 39.1-pound catch caught on June 15. Eli Hife currently leads the overall youth standings with his 41.4-pound king.

For more information on the derby, visit www.matsukingsalmonderby.com

Contact Matt Tunseth at 352-2265 or matt.tunseth@

frontiersman.com