Trout headline Mat-Su fishing action

For those that want to catch fish during the month of May, rainbow trout and to a lesser extent Dolly Varden char, and arctic grayling provide the greatest opportunity to hook, fight and catch fish soon after the ice has left Mat-Su lakes and streams. The many Mat-Su lakes stocked by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) have the greatest populations of catchable sized fish available and provide some of the most consistent catches and easy access at this time. Most if not all of the lakes in the Palmer -Wasilla core area have been ice free for about a week now with good fishing as noted in ADF&G’s weekly fishing report.

Call 746-6300 for more information from ADF&G.

Three other good fishing information sources include the Alaska Outdoor Journal private angler reports available online at http://www.alaskaoutdoorjournal.com and fishing reports posted online by Three Rivers Fly and Tackle at http://www.3riversflyandtackle.com and Sportsman Warehouse’s fishing reports posted on their bulletin board at the front of the store.

For folks wanting to fish streams, Bob Meals at Tri River Charters in Talkeetna 733-2400 reported he had a boat in the water, and was running drop off and guided trips to the Clear Creek area and beyond on the Talkeetna River. Guests were catching primarily Dolly Varden and rainbow trout. Bob and several of my other sources also mentioned good trout fishing at the mouth of Montana and Willow Creeks, as well as lesser fished opportunities at some of the other east side Susitna River tributary streams between Willow and Talkeetna. Anglers are advised to read fishing regulations regarding local fisheries and in particular stream fisheries at this time. It is easy to become confused by the wide variety of regulations for different fisheries with in the Mat-Su Valley area. Here’s a good way to keep regulations simple: before embarking on your latest angling endeavor review ONLY the regulations for the specific water(s) you intend to fish. If confused, talk to the helpful folks at the Palmer ADF&G office.

Popular boat

launches open

After a long winter out of water or even with brand new boats and motors, boaters are advised to check out their boats, motors, and familiarize themselves with handling characteristics that may differ considerably from driving a highway vehicle before heading out to distant rivers and lakes.

You don’t want to be the person providing comic relief at the boat launch when:

• Your boat fills with water because you forgot the plug.

• Motor won’t start because you did not check the battery.

• Motor will not operate correctly because it is mounted too high on the transom.

• Public safety officer will not let you on the water because you forgot personal floatation devises for everyone onboard.

Running through a boating safety checklist and a quick visit to a local lake launch like Finger Lake or Lucille Lake (remember the launch fee) is the wiser move. For those wondering, Deshka Landing is open for boat launches, and the road to Little Susitna River Public Use Facility campground and boat launch, while rutted, is mostly dry and scheduled for grading soon. Contact Mat-Su Headquarter of Alaska State Parks for Little Su campground, boat launch, and road updates 745-3975.

Gary Feaster at Greatland Welding and Machine near Palmer has scheduled a free Coast Guard regulation boating check at his business on Saturday May 15, so interested boaters are encouraged to give Greatland Welding a call for specific information at 745-2383. Greatland also repairs boats and stocks many boating items needed to prepare for a smooth and successful boating season.

Mat-Su king

salmon fIsh tale

I talked with Steve Runyan at Three Rivers Fly and Tackle 373-5434 last night and also with Jason Votruba at Deshka Landing 495-3374 earlier this week, and neither of them knew of any king salmon landings on Mat-Su valley streams, yet.

But on Thursday, the first king that I know of was pulled into my own boat. My nephew, Josiah Warta, caught at 30 pounder with a K-14X Kwikfish on the Deshka.

Earlier in the week, I also towed my boat to the Little Susitna River and fished with friends and relatives two days this week in search of one of the big bad boys. On both trips we landed a single Dolly Varden that attacked king salmon-size-appropriate lures, but yesterday after hours of fishing, my nephew had a legitimate king salmon take down will back trolling with a K-14X Kwikfish.

Josiah set the hook, his rod doubled over, and then all of a sudden everything went slack — like the fish had thrown the hook. When he reeled in, however, all that remained of his Kwikfish plug was a 2 inch piece of shattered plastic. If the rest of that salmon’s body is in proportion to his jaw muscles, the Mat-Su King Salmon Derby winner may be swimming in the Little Susitna River this year — providing of course, that someone has gear stout enough to land him.

NEW Mat-Su Anglers Club website

Visit http://www.matsuanglers.org for a sneak peak — read the fishing articles for hot tips that produce big results and view pictures of club member catches. Contact club president Julie Busch at 892-7543 for additional club and membership information.

Mat-Su fishing addicts are encouraged to check in next week for the latest in Mat-Su fishing news AND to possibly learn the true size of that lunker lurking in the Little Su. E-mail this column at sports@frontiersman.com if you have Mat-Su fishing questions or information readers should know.

Andy Couch owns and operates Fishtale River Guides www.fish4salmon.com is a Mat-Su Anglers Club member, and member of the Matanuska -Susitna Mayor’s Blue Ribbon Sportsmens Committee.