Water, Water, Most Everywhere . . . .

Many of the Mat-Su Valley’s most popular sport salmon fisheries were experiencing nearly flood-level high and muddy water when I talked with many of my fisheries sources at mid-week. Locations with relatively clear water or stream drainages through lake systems will likely provide some the clearer and better fishing waters this week.

Amy Davis with Deshka Landing (495-3374) said the Susitna River at the landing was quite high with a considerably amount of debris, sticks, and logs floating down the river, however, down at Deshka River anglers were still catching silver salmon. Many locals know that Deshka River silver salmon fishing often picks up following a heavy rain, and that certainly seems to be the case for upstream fishing on the Deshka River. According to the ADF&G Deshka River weir count over 2,400 silver (coho) salmon swam past the weir on August 7. This brings the season total to only 3,720 coho past the weir, however, the count could jump up considerably now that the water level is up a bit and the water temperature has cooled off. Bait and multiple hooks are allowed in the lower Deshka River and the bag limit is 3 salmon (all of which may be coho).

Fish Creek Emergency Regulations

The FIsh Creek sport salmon fishery out Knik - Goose Bay Road has been liberalized to allow 7 days of fishing per week with open fishing hours each day from 5 a.m .— 10 p.m. In addition anglers may keep up to 6 salmon per day (only 4 of which may be coho or 3 of which may be chum salmon or pink salmon). King salmon are closed to fishing in this location and must be released. The fishing area is small, but water level and clarity is at least partially controlled by lakes further up in the drainage. Expect good water conditions at this location. Both sockeye and coho passage past Fish Creek weir have been good lately. Season weir totals are 1,221 coho and 49,561 sockeye salmon through August 7.

Cottonwood Creek and Wasilla Creek / Rabbit Slough Liberalizations

Starting Friday August 10 the waters open to salmon fishing on these drainages will be open 4 days per week (Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday) from 5 .M. —10 P.M. The coho salmon bag limit has also been liberalized to 4 coho salmon daily. Expect good fishing at these locations — especially on Fridays.

Little Susitna River Coho Salmon Bag Limit Jumps to 3

The Alaska Department of FIsh and Game increased the coho salmon bag limit to 3 per day on the Little Sustina River below the Parks Highway. This fishery also opened to bait on August 6. 7,583 coho salmon have already passed the Little Sustina River Weir through noon on August 7, however high muddy water has submerged the weir and slowed fishing since noon on Tuesday. Depending upon the weather, high runoff in the Little Susitna River should drop down to more normal levels by this weekend.

Parks Highway Tributary Streams

On Wednesday Margo Nealis with Phantom Tri River Charters in Talkeetna (733-2400) mentioned that coho salmon fishing had been good during the past week near Talkeetna until the high waters hit. A little further south along the Parks Highway Marilynn Rouswell at Susitna Landing (495-7700) said their boat parking lot was partially flooded in the morning, but that water levels had started dropping later in the day. There are good numbers of coho salmon, pink salmon, and chum salmon in Parks Highway tributaries to the Susitna River, and fishing success should increase as waters drop and clear after the recent heavy runoff from further up in these drainages. Anglers and businesses dependent upon these fisheries are hopeful for better conditions by the weekend. Anglers may want to call either of the above individuals for an update on fishing conditions before driving north.

Eklutna Tailrace

Water levels have been high at the tailrace and along the lower Knik River, however, coho salmon run timing is kicking into high gear at this location. This is a quick and easy drive from the Palmer / Wasilla area. This fishery is also open 24 hours per day with a 3 coho salmon daily bag limit. Parking is free and outhouses are available at this location.

Jim Creek

I consider August 10 to be about peak season for silver salmon fishing at this location. Open fishing hours are 5 a.m. — 10 p.m. The limit remains at 3 salmon (only 2 of which may be coho). Coho salmon weir counts are starting to climb with some sockeye still available in the lower creek below the weir. Check regulations before participating as there are several regulation that apply only to this drainage.

Out in the Northern District Set Gillet Fishery coho salmon harvests dominated the harvest on Monday August 6, with the harvest of coho salmon exceeding the harvest of all other 4 salmon species combined. Expect that same trend to occur at most stream sport fishery locations before long. At some of the lower drainage locations salmon migrations numbers of all salmon species (including coho) could already be on the decline. There are, however, several weeks of decent salmon fishing remaining at most Mat-Su locations, and some of the upstream locations may just be peaking in the next couple weeks.

Good Luck and FIsh On!

Andy Couch is owner / guide of Fishtale River Guide — you may read his daily fishing reports at http://www.fish4salmon.com