Mat-Su Anglers FIshing Corner by Andy Couch

Parks Highway Trout Fishing Improves with falling Water Levels

When I asked 3 RIvers Fly & Tackle owner, Mike Hudson, what was happening fishing wise in the Mat-Su Valley this week, he immediately mentioned good trout fishing on the streams along the Parks Highway that drain into the Susitna River.   Specific streams Mike mentioned as producing well were 1.  Willow Creek (below the Parks Highway),  2.  Little Willow Creek ( a good float from the Parks Highway with a takeout at the Willow Creek Recreation Area) and 3. Sheep Creek.    Hudson also mentioned Montana Creek ( a popular trout angler destination), but said that it had not been producing rainbow trout at its usual prolific rate.    If I were fishing along the Parks Highway streams, I’d keep that thought about Montana Creek in the back of my mind, and might select other locations to try first, however, there is plenty of nice fishing water along Montana Creek, and even with a poor report from earlier in the season, most anglers know that conditions can change rapidly, and I would still expect each of these streams to produce some nice large trout.    Another sleeper stream along the Parks Highway that Mike mentioned was the Kashwitna River, which can be accessed from the Susitna Landing Boat launch (496-7700).  In addition to rainbows the Kashwitna also provides opportunities to catch Dolly Varden and grayling.    A reminder to those who might want to give these streams a try — single hook artificial  lures or flies are required when fishing these waters at this time.   Fishing on these streams is for wild fish, and many anglers choose to fish on a catch and release basis to preserve the resource and provide additional great fishing opportunities in the future.    On some of these streams catch and release is required of all rainbow trout and harvest bag limits are low, so make it a point to read the state fishing regulations for the water you would like to fish — especially when fishing a new location you may not be familiar with.

On Wednesday I talked with Jason Votruba, manager of Deshka Landing.  Jason told me that salmon angler use of the landing was almost over for the season, for instance, he knew of one single party that went out to fish the Deshka River over the Labor Day weekend.   Like Mike Hudson, Jason mentioned that Parks Highway tributary streams to the Susitna River as one of the better fisheries happening right now.  He was planning a trip to fish there himself.  If one ventures to Deshka Landing on a weekend this time of year, there is still a considerable amount of boat traffic through the landing, but much of it is now fall moose hunters, or people that own property or cabins along the lower Susitna or Deshka Rivers.

One Last Trip and Preparing the Boat for Winter

The main purpose of my trip to Deshka Landing was to prepare the guide boat I had at the landing for winter and bring it home for the season.  For those who are done with their boat use for the season now is a good time to do such chores, before the weather grows colder.   A couple easy steps to prepare a boat motor for winter include running some fuel stabilizer through the motor, and changing the old oil so things will be in good shape and ready to go next spring.   While at the landing I launched one last time and took my boat for a ride to run some fuel stabilizer which I’d added to a 6 gallon can of gas through the motor.   After driving all the way to the landing, I convinced myself I should at least take a long enough boat ride to see the Deshka River one more time before calling it a season.   Warning for those still intending to launch out of Deshka Landing: the water is getting low in the normal launch and you may want to use the low water launch off the end of the gravel spit.   I used the normal launch and sucked  some sand through my motor getting over the shallow spot near where the slow launch water connects to the Susitna River.    On my return trip, I avoided sucking sand through my jet unit by gliding in and then killing and lifting my motor as the boat approached and planed over the shallow spot.   Jason Votruba suggested that people may want to go over that particular spot on step.    Once my boat was out on the Susitna River itself, the water was considerably lower than the last time I launched at Deshka Landing (nearly two weeks ago now), but there was plenty of water to run to Deshka River and back with no worry about hitting bottom anywhere with my jet outboard.  After returning to the landing, I pumped a little extra grease through my jet unit in hopes of purging all or at least most of the water from my jet unit in preparation for layup over a long winter.

Where Can I Catch Salmon, Now?

Although I have not guided any salmon fishing charters since the Little Susitna River and Knik Arm streams closed to silver (coho) salmon fishing on August 27, we continue to get a considerable number of calls from people hoping to get in one last salmon fishing trip for the season.   The best silver salmon fishing I’ve heard of lately (although outside the Mat-Su Valley) has been in saltwater near Valdez — and although that should wind down shortly, it still might be a place worth trying for a little longer.   Over the coming weekend I am planning one last trip to visit and fish with a friend who owns a place on the Kenai River.   The water level on the Kenai River is reportedly near flood stage at this time, so the fishing might not be what it normally is for late-run silvers on the Kenai, but we’re planning to give it a try.   As all optimistic anglers know — you can’t catch a fish if you don’t try.

This column likely concludes my regular summer fishing columns for the season  — although if something of Mat-Su angling interest comes up between now and May 2012, I may submit an article or two.

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

Mat-Su Anglers Fishing Corner by Andy Couch

Mat-Su Fishing Transitions to Trout, Grayling, and Pike

I talked with Bob Meals recently, and he mentioned that Tri River Charters would be running salmon fishing trips through the first week of September up on the Tallkeetna River.  Talking to one of Bob’s guides on August 31, I asked if they were still catching silver salmon, and the answer was yes.   I asked if guests were still catching limits of silver salmon, and the answer was yes as of Monday August 29.  Next, I asked how the fishing would change when regulations required anglers to switch to artificial lures only — something that happens on Susitna River drainage streams starting September 1.  The answer was with all the chums and pink salmon, it would likely be difficult sorting out limits of silver salmon without salmon eggs tempting them to bite.

My experience on the middle portion of the Susitna River drainage last Friday (August 26) was that even with salmon eggs we found very few silver salmon to catch, but lots of chum salmon.  Even on a good silver salmon year, the fishing is usually dropping off rather quickly in many Mat-Su locations by September 1, but on a year with less than average number of silver salmon, the drop off in silver salmon catching has been earlier and will only increase now that bait fishing will not be allowed for silver salmon (or other fish) in a large portion of Mat-Su Valley streams.

Last week the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) issued an emergency order closing all Knik Arm drainage streams except Fish Creek and Eklutna Tailrace to silver salmon fishing on Saturday August 27.

Fortunately the Mat-Su Valley offers good opportunities to catch rainbow trout, Dolly Varden, grayling, and other freshwater species.  ADF&G fisheries biologist Samantha Oslund said a large number of people are now calling the Department about trout fishing options.  Oslund mentioned that in addition to the many streams where wild fish may be caught, there is currently excellent fishing in local stocked lakes.  According to Oslund, fish in some of the lakes grow to sizes that rival big trout caught from the Kenai River, but on the valley lakes, there is much less fishing pressure and little competition, particularly in late summer / early fall.   Oslund expects good to excellent lake fishing success to continue from now until the lakes start to freeze over.

For more information concerning which lakes might offer the type fishing experience you are interested in, including species of fish available, and size of fish available, contact Samantha Oslund with ADF&G at 746-6332 or talk to some of the fishing experts at Sportsman’s Warehouse or 3 Rivers Fly & Tackle in Wasilla.

How Do ADF&G Commercial Managers Assess An Emergency?

On August 6, 2011 ADF&G closed the use of bait for sport fishing for silver (coho) salmon on the Little Susitna River by emergency order.  Little Susitna River is the only Northern District Cook Inlet stream with a coho salmon escapement goal, that also has inseason escapement count, monitored by a weir throughout the run timing.  The ADF&G emergency restriction on the Little Susitna River was based on 1.  ADF&G test netting of low coho abundance out in the Central District of Upper Cook Inlet.  2.  Low numbers of coho salmon caught in the commercial fishery in Upper Cook Inlet (confirming low coho abundance shown in ADF&G test netting).  3.  Low harvest rates of coho salmon in the Little Susitna River sport fishery confirming low coho abundance as measure by the test fishery and commercial catches.     Under the circumstances it seems highly justifiable to restrict the coho fishery.   But why did ADF&G managers make absolutely no adjustment to the continuing Northern District commercial set net fishery also harvesting the same coho salmon?

As mentioned earlier, on August 27 ADF&G additionally closed all sport coho salmon fishing in the Little Susitna River and all other Knik Arm Drainages except Fish Creek (only open 2 days per week, anyway) and Eklutna Tailrace (a hatchery fishery with no need for spawning escapement).  If ADF&G managers deemed it necessary to close even catch and release sport fishing for coho salmon, why did the same Department make absolutely no emergency change to the commercial regulations?    How can the same low escapement numbers be such a drastic situation that all coho sport fishing must be closed, while at the same time those low escapement numbers (according to ADF&G commercial managers) require absolutely no commercial regulatory concern?

Little Susitna River Weir Data

According to ADF&G figures the average midpoint of the Little Susitna River silver salmon escapement past the Little Susitna River weir is August 31.   ADF&G’s Little Susitna River silver salmon escapement count through August 30 is 2,286 silver salmon.  Even if another 200 silvers passed the weir on August 31, the ADF&G projection for the Little Susitna River silver salmon escapement would still be less than 5,000 fish.    5,000 fish is less than half of the Little Susitna River’s minimum escapement goal range.   What are ADF&G commercial managers waiting for?   Do ADF&G commercial managers, for some unknown reason, intend to go under the goal by as large a number as possible?  Can their lack of action be interpreted any other way?  Does ADF&G Commissioner, Cora Campbell, support this disregard for an ADF&G established and Alaska Board of Fisheries confirmed salmon spawning escapement goal?

Ongoing Problem — Stock of Concern Status?

If ADF&G fails to attain the Little Susitna River coho salmon spawning escapement goal in 2011 it will be the third year in a row with such dubious distinction.  Does ADF&G have any reason to expect a better escapement in 2012 — if not, Little Susitna River coho salmon would seem to easily qualify for Stock of Concern status.  Do ADF&G managers really prefer to notify the Board of FIsheries of that status change this winter?

Mat-Su Anglers Club News

The Club’s monthly meeting is scheduled for 7 – 9 p.m. on Thursday September 8 at the Menard Sports Center in Wasilla.  The following monthly meeting will be the annual smoked salmon contest at the same time and location on Thursday October 13.  Call Julie Busch at 892-7543 for more information.

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

Mat-Su Anglers FIshing Corner by Andy Couch

Better Access to Better Mat-Su Fishing

Two weeks ago I wrote a column about the need to upgrade Little Susitna River Road.  To my knowledge it was the only fishing column I’ve written the entire summer to which people submitted comments to the Frontiersman’s online comment section.  One individual expressed a fear I’ve heard over the years, that better access could lead to more use by sport anglers — and therefore more participants could result in poorer fishing. This individual closed his comment with the following quote, “ I’d rather have better fishing than a better road.”

After a season in which several Mat-Su Valley king salmon sport fisheries saw new restrictions, yet most Mat-Su streams with Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) established escapement goals failed to meet minimum king salmon escapement goal levels, and after a season in which the Little Susitna RIver coho salmon fishery was closed to bait fishing on August 6, yet attainment of ADF&G’s Little Susitna River coho salmon spawning escapement goal remains highly questionable as of August 24, I believe most Valley anglers, guides, and others with a stake in Mat-Su Valley fishing economics strongly agree, ALL would like to see better fishing.

But why not ask for both better Mat-Su Valley sport fishing AND better public access to those fisheries?

For decades I’ve heard people express the idea they might favor a poor road to the lower Little Susinta River, because it could keep others from using the public campground, public boat launch, and public salmon fishery located there.  To which I answer, shouldn’t the whole public be allowed to access the public resource on a road that measures up to state standards?

Still some folks maintain an irrational thought that a poor driving route to Little Susitna River may magically keep substantial numbers of other individuals from accessing this public fishery during peak fishing periods.  For a quick reality check, visit Little Susitna River Public Use Facility at about 7 a.m. on August 6 (the normal opening day for bait fishing) –  Good luck finding a camping or parking spot, and bring your own rock to stand on!

As I’ve mentioned previously in this column, and as supported by ADF&G data, Little Susitna River has (for more than 30 years) been the premier coho salmon sport fishing destination in the entire Mat-Su Valley.  In addition, for public boaters there are only 4 large well-maintained boat launches in close proximity to prime Mat-Su salmon fisheries.  These sites are:  1. Deshka Landing.  2. Little Susitna River Pubic Use Facility.  3. Talkeetna Boat Launch.   4.  Susitna Landing.    WIth this shortage of boating access to highly-in-demand salmon fisheries, even a poor road to the premier coho fishery closest to Mat-Su’s core population center will NOT keep large numbers of sport anglers from accessing the public resource.

To my way of thinking, all poor driving conditions along Ayrshire Road and Little Susitna River Road to the Little Susinta River Public Use Facility really accomplish is ruining good vehicles before their time, maintaining a state of substandard, and therefore, unsafe driving conditions, and keeping some portion of the public from accessing the public resource during off-peak periods.  What advantage is there to any of this?

More Public Demand Leads to Better Fishing

In my humble opinion, we will only get better fishing for more people in the Mat-
Su Valley, AFTER a significant portion of Mat-Su anglers and business people start making their wishes known to those who make such decisions.   This includes discussing specific ideas with Mat-Su legislators, ADF&G managers, and Alaska Board of Fisheries members on an ongoing basis.  Like gaining substantial improvements to the driving route to Little Susitna River Public Use Facility, the route to consistently better Mat-Su Valley fishing will take a concerted effort over time, and will only be accomplished when enough advocates step up to the challenge.

Personal Invitation to Express Your Thoughts

If you read this far, you’ve taken some time to consider my thoughts — It would be interesting to know what others think.  Comments, Anyone?

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

Mat-Su Anglers FIshing Corner by Andy Couch

Catching High Water Salmon

In the past couple weeks, river water levels have been at or near flood stage on both the Deshka and Little Susitna River for multiple days.   Our most recent rains are once again raising water levels and turning the water dark with sediment.  Such fishing conditions can prove challenging.  Many anglers simply head to their favorite hole and give it a go.   Others have driven all the way out to the Little Susitna River (over a road that feels like a mine field) took a look at the river, and driven away without even wetting a line.

Here are 3 ideas I use to catch high water salmon.   1.  Look for slower water.   When the river comes way up, current speed through some of my favorite holes is so fast that my charter guests catch extremely few or no salmon in some of those “hot” spots.   There are slower places in the river, however, some of which we fish only when the water is high or extremely high, that can be quite productive.  When water levels get crazy high most of my fishing may be done in a very few spots.   Sloughs and back eddies can provide an opportunity for salmon to rest out of the main current and away from debris that is often carried down river by high water.   2.  Use bait or large brightly colored lures to provide extra attraction in muddy-colored water.   Bait of course provides a scent trail the salmon can follow to your offering — even if it is difficult for them to see more than a foot away in the water.  Larger brightly-colored lures provide more flash in the muddy water, and often sink better to get down in faster than normal currents.  3. Present your lure or bait in a SLOW manner.  Since the fish can only see your lure or bait for a very short distance it pays great dividends to slow your presentation down and give the fish an opportunity to grab your offering before it once again disappears into the the murky water.   Where bait is legal this can mean stationary  fishing by anchoring with a heavy weight.   With lures, anglers also sometimes anchor a boat above a hole and let their lures work in the current below the boat in a somewhat stationary manner.   Back trolling in a slow manner is also worth a try.  When casting lures, either from a boat or from the bank, I’ve found that casting straight out or slightly down river, and then reeling only fast enough to keep the lure working usually works best.  4.  My bonus tip for those that have read this far is to target clear water areas when possible.  Most of the time this would be tributary streams of even a very small nature that might create a clearer water pool where they join larger higher and muddier waters.  During periods of high water, salmon sometimes pack into these little pockets, and if the fish don’t become spooked by fishing pressure, an entire group’s limit of fish may be taken from one very small clear water pocket.

Mat-Su and Cook Inlet Coho Salmon Management Challenges

For any who may not have heard, the Little Susitna River from the Parks Highway down to its mouth has been restricted to fishing with artificial lures only, in an effort by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) to attain sufficient coho salmon spawning escapement numbers.  In an earlier phone conversation I had with ADF&G manager, Sam Ivey,  he mentioned the possibilities of either reopening the Little Susitna River to bait fishing if enough coho salmon showed up, or extending restrictions to other Knik Arm and / or Susitna River tributary streams if coho numbers continued to be low.  According to an e-mail I received from Ivey on August 17, all of the Department’s measurements of coho salmon both in Northern Cook Inlet and the broader entire Upper Cook Inlet continue to indicate low abundances of coho salmon.  In addition, Ivey mentioned his hesitancy to use the Little Susitna River weir (located above the Parks Highway) as a reliable coho abundance indicator until some time around August 25.  To once again open the Little Su to bait fishing at that time, Ivey indicated he would want to see approximately 4,000 or more coho through the weir.  Even if such numbers of coho were to make it past the weir by August 25, that would leave extremely little fishing opportunity for anglers to successfully fish bait in the lower river, where most of the coho fishing effort occurs.  The coho run in the lower river usually starts tapering off rapidly by late August, and from my experience, even on years of great abundance, it becomes difficult to catch bright ocean-fresh coho after September 10.  In both 2009 and 2010 we ran out of catchable numbers of coho in the lower Little Susitna River in late August.

Will we see additional coho restrictions on other Mat-Su streams?  When the manager mentions that all of ADF&G Upper Cook Inlet coho abundance indicators show low numbers of fish, it causes some anglers to wonder, when coho restrictions will occur on streams in addition to the Little Susinta River?  The bait restriction on the Little Susitna undoubtedly has caused some anglers to shift their efforts to streams where bait fishing remains open. If coho abundances are low on these other streams, shouldn’t it be expected, on the more heavily fished streams, that extra fishing effort could decrease already lower than optimal numbers of coho spawning escapements to these streams as well?

Bottom line, if you are considering taking additional opportunities to catch coho (silver) salmon in 2011, I would suggest fishing sooner rather than later, for the simple reasons that the run may drop off later, and anglers who wait could also see additional fishing restrictions later in the season.

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

Mat-Su Anglers FIshing Corner by Andy Couch

Time to Upgrade Little Susitna River Road

If my recollection serves me correctly it was about the mid-1980‘s when the Little Susitna River Public Use Facility Boat Launch and Campground was built using Department of Fish and Game access funds on the lower Little Susitna River. About that same time Little Su Access Road or Little Susitna River Road, as it is also know, was upgraded from a rutted dirt trail that rarely received any maintenance to a mostly dirt road graded a few times during the May, June, July, August salmon fishing season.

Although only about 4 miles in length, the first couple miles of the road are mostly gravel and fairly well maintained by the State of Alaska on a year-long basis. The remaining portion from the old farm into the Public Use Facility can easily be characterized as mostly dirt that turns into potholes anytime significant rain falls. Rain significant enough to raise the Little Susitna River water level has been falling since the last day of July, and one of my recent nonresident visitors described driving the road as, “ a splash course through mud and potholes.”

At the end of 3 days of driving back and forth to fish the lower Little Susitna River, this visitor’s rental vehicle looked like he had taken it mud bogging. How does this reflect on the Matanuska – Susitna Valley as a travel destination? Should this be what it takes to visit the area’s most heavily used coho salmon fishery? Why has the road not been upgraded to match the million-plus dollar campground and boat launch facility at it’s end?

It is interesting how certain state projects, like the old Point Mackenzie Farm Project, received millions of dollars in funding to upgrade roads throughout the area, including Little Susitna River Road — as far as the last farm. In this case, for the sake of one farm, the state upgraded and currently maintains approximately half the length of Little Susitna River Road on a year-long basis. Those who have driven the road on a regular basis know that very little of the traffic along the road goes to that farm. Most of the vehicle traffic goes on to the Little Susitna River Public Use Facility where the road provides one of the best access sites to the Susitna Flats State Game Refuge. The road is used primarily by salmon anglers and fishing guides, but also significantly by big and small game hunters, river floaters, campers, and State Parks employees who work at the facility. Are there any Mat-Su Valley politicians willing to prioritize working towards upgrading this important 25 year-old mud, dirt, and potholed travel route? Are there any anglers, hunters, business owners, or other users of the Little Susitna River Public Use Facility willing to communicate to their politicians that this is a priority item?

Rain and Water Levels Provide Additional Challenge to Valley Coho Fisheries

Coho salmon abundances throughout the Mat-Su Valley have been lower than normal in 2011, and recent heavy rainfalls have significantly raised and muddied waters of the Little Susitna River, Deshka River, Talkeetna River, and Susitna River tributary streams. In many cases this has lreduced sport angler harvest levels of coho salmon, but anglers have been out fishing in the rain. For some fisheries like the weekend fisheries on lower Wasilla (Rabbit Slough) Cottonwood, and Fish Creeks increased water levels may likely increase silver salmon harvest rates.

Fish Creek Fishery

Mat-Su Anglers Club President, Julie Busch told me last week’s new youth only fishery was well participated in, and that kids seemed to be harvesting good numbers of salmon. Julie’s husband, Greg Busch, attended the event, providing the use of fully rigged club rod and reel outfits for youth’s who did not have gear. According to Julie, Greg had such a good time on Saturday, that he couldn’t wait to go back and help again on Sunday.

The Fish Creek weekend only salmon fishery on the lower end of the creek will open to all members of the public on August 13 and 14, and recent coho salmon numbers traveling through Fish Creek Weir indicate there should be a decent number of fish available to be caught — especially on Saturday morning. Fishing hours are from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day.

Club News

Julie Busch acknowledged that the club has decided to hold it’s annual smoked salmon contest during the October meeting rather than September, so that more people can be involved and participate. For more information on how you can participate in this fun and tasty event contact Julie Busch at 892-7543.

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

Mat-Su Anglers FIshing Corner by Andy Couch

Low Coho Numbers Trigger Little Susitna River Sport Fishing Restriction

On Wednesday August 3, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game issued an emergency order that will likely restrict fishing to artificial lures only for the remainder of the salmon fishing season on the Little Susinta River.   The fishing area restricted will extend from the Parks HIghway all the way to the river mouth (the entire area open to salmon fishing).   The emergency order contains a caveat that if coho run strength improves, then restrictions to the sport fishery may be rescinded.  Additional restrictions may also occur if there is no increase in coho run strength.  View ADF&G emergency order 2-SS-2-26-11 online with this URL link: http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=fishingSportFishingInfo.R2&year=2011

Little Susitna River is historically the premier coho (silver) salmon fishing of the entire Mat-Su Valley, with high angler participation, high annual coho harvests, and some of the largest coho salmon in the area.   It is good ADF&G is paying attention and making a step down in regulations early enough in the season that angler participation may continue (at least for a while) on this highly valued fishery.  Waiting until later before making a regulation change may have necessitated making a season sport fishing closure rather than allowing sport fishing to continue at a reduced level.  On the evening of August 2, I had the opportunity to talk with ADF&G Area sport fish biologist, Sam Ivey and asked him if the Department was planning any restrictive action on the Deshka River or other Mat-Su Valley coho fisheries as well?

According to Ivey, the Department is closely monitoring Deshka River as well, through the Deshka River weir coho salmon counts – http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/sf/FishCounts/ – and through fishing guide and angler reports.   Although Deshka River coho numbers had been quite low through August 1 (only 687 total coho through the weir at that time) the Deshka weir coho count made a big jump on August 2 when over 2400 coho swam past the weir in one day.   At this time the Department will continue to allow a bait fishery for coho salmon on the Deshka River with a bag limit where anglers can harvest up to 3 coho salmon per day.  However, ADF&G will continue monitoring Deshka River coho salmon escapement levels, as well as Knik Arm coho salmon fisheries, and additional restrictions may also be issued on these systems as the season progresses.

Two of the three coho salmon indexes mentioned in ADF&G’s Little Susinta River emergency order ( offshore ADF&G Upper Cook Inlet test fishery results, and lower than normal commercial coho harvests) indicate that coho salmon run strengths may be significantly  lower than normal on a wide spread basis throughout Upper Cook Inlet.

Sharing of the Conservation Burden

Some sport anglers are already asking questions: If ADF&G data indicates that Upper Cook Inlet coho salmon run strengths may be in jeopardy to the extent that the Department has issued an inseason emergency order restricting the priority sport fish use on one of Upper Cook Inlet’s most important sport coho fisheries, why has the Department enacted ZERO commercial fishery restrictions to provide ANY sharing of the conservation burden by non priority commercial gillnetters?   Why has the Department commercial manager FAILED to ANNOUNCE some reduction in the commercial area, gear, or time allowed to be fished near the mouth of the Little Susitna River — at the very least?

FIsh Creek Youth Fishery

As mentioned previously in this column this fishery will occur for the first time on the weekend of August 6 & 7, 2011, and should provide a good opportunity for youths 15 years and younger to fish and likely catch coho and/or sockeye salmon.  Congratulation to Mat-Su Anglers Club members and club President, Julie Busch for their work in establishing this fishery.  For more information use the following URL Link to the ADF&G news release about this fishery including fishing times, area open, and bag limits: http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=fishingSportFishingInfo.NR&NRID=1531&year=2011

Although coho numbers may be lower than normal, the next couple weeks should  produce peak coho salmon abundances in many Mat-Su Valley fisheries, and the number of fish available still provides fishing action and catches envied by many anglers living in other parts of the United States.  As one Alaskan angler told me, “I put up with long Alaskan winters to enjoy this time of year and coho salmon fishing.”

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

Mat-Su Anglers FIshing Corner by Andy Couch

Mat-Su Valley Salmon Runs Building

“This fishing is so good we could be on a TV fishing show about catching Alaska salmon.”

“These salmon really fight, and just won’t quit.   They are a tremendous sport fish.”

Those two comments were made earlier this week by my guests on a couple different salmon fishing charters catching chum salmon on the lower Little Susitna River. It took less than a week for chum salmon numbers to take a dramatic jump on the Little Su, and chums have been providing the primary action on the river this week.  In addition, anglers have been catching some silver salmon on a daily basis — but they are much less abundant and more difficult to come by than the chum salmon.    Over the past several days, most of my guests have been catching a limit of salmon — with a fair share of those fish being chums.

Chum or Dog salmon as they are also called, put up a great fight and have tremendous stamina, but are not considered as good of table fare as king salmon, sockeye salmon, or coho salmon by many Alaskans, including myself.    For those who have not tried eating an ocean – fresh chum salmon, I would always encourage people to keep one, cook it up, and try it.   To me chums simply have a milder flavor with not near as strong a salmon flavor to it.   I prefer that strong salmon flavor, so I prefer the above mentioned king, sockeye, and coho salmon.  SInce I usually catch plenty of salmon to eat for an entire year, I rarely keep chum salmon, or if I do, I keep them because someone else would like to eat them.  Over the years I’ve had many charter guests keep a chum salmon, eat it , and come back saying they would like to keep every chum salmon they catch as they really enjoyed the first one.    I’ve also had many guests come back after eating a chum salmon and say they would prefer to let chums go and only keep coho, king, or sockeye salmon.  My only point is I encourage all anglers to try each species of salmon and decide for themselves which ones they prefer to eat and which ones (if any)  they prefer to release.  Right now there is a tremendous opportunity throughout the Little Susitna and Susinta River drainages to catch and try eating abundant fresh-from- the-ocean chum salmon.

Sockeye Now Abundant

I talked with Alaska Department of FIsh and Game Biologist, Sam Ivey on Tuesday and he was busy writing an emergency order to open the Fish Creek personal use dip net fishery for 3 days — July 29, 30, and 31.    Although a very short season, this will allow Mat-Su anglers an opportunity to dip net sockeye salmon within the Mat-Su area for the third year in a row.    This is a fishery for Alaskan residents only and those interested need to pick up a dip net permit — the local Fish and Game office in Palmer is a good place to do this and get a quick run down of dip net regulations at the same time.  To keep the Fish Creek sockeye fishery open for future years all anglers are encouraged to respect private property along the creek.   The area open to fishing is both small and confined, so don’t think there will be any place to “get away from the crowd.”  The limit is also generous and your entire season’s quota may be harvested in one day.

For those more interested in catching their fish on a rod and reel, Bob Meals of Tri River Charters in Talkeetna (733-2400) reports that both sockeye and chum salmon are extremely abundant in the Talkeetna River system at this time.   Other Mat-Su sockeye salmon hotspots that may have good fishing over the weekend include Cottonwood Creek (check regulations to know where the small area open to salmon fishing is located), Jim Creek in the Bodenburg Butte area, and remote Lake Creek accessible by a long boat ride or airplane.

Chum salmon, pink salmon, and some silver salmon are available at the tributary streams flowing into the Susitna River between Willow and Talkeetna, while silver salmon are also available in greater numbers in the Deshka River and Yentna River tributary streams.

Although silver salmon fishing success has been slow compared to last year, expect the number of silver salmon available to anglers to continue building over the next couple weeks.  While bait is allowed now in many areas open for salmon fishing, anglers should examine regulations for specific streams they intend to fish to familiarize themselves with specific regulations that may apply.   Some of the regulations were changed over the past winter by the Alaska Board of Fisheries, so a quick review may be in order.  Remember, the Kid’s Weekend Opportunity at Fish Creek will be on the weekend of August 6 and 7 — contact Mat-Su Anglers Club President Julie Busch for more information about this one at 892-7543 or read the new fishing regulations regarding Fish Creek located out on Knik – Goose Bay Road.

Late July and early August are good times to fish Mat-Su Valley streams, so I encourage anglers to get out and enjoy Alaska with, “Fish On!”

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

Mat-Su Anglers Fishing Corner by Andy Couch

Mat-Su Silvers, Chums, Sockeye Show

Earlier this week, while fishing the Little Susitna River, charter fishing guests caught the first silver salmon taken on my guide boat in 2011.  Additionally, my charter guests have also caught a few chum salmon from the same location.  Just a reminder for those who may want to fish Little Susinta RIver, salmon fishing is restricted to that portion of the river below the Parks Highway, anglers are required to use artificial lures only through Aguusts 5, and anglers must quit fishing for the remainder of the day on Little Susinta River after harvesting a limit of salmon.  As in all Mat-Su Valley locations (except the Eklutna Tailrace fishery area) angler’s are prohibited from fishing for king salmon, and any king salmon incidentally caught must be released without removing the fish from the water.

On Deshka RIver, Ben Allen, owner of Miller’s Riverboat Service (892-6872) reports that there are now schools of silver and pink salmon in the mouth of the river, but cautions that anglers fishing upriver must be careful where they attempt to catch silver salmon or they may end up catching pre spawning and spawning king salmon.   On a recent guide trip Ben moved his guests 5 different times in an attempt to avoid kings, and on that trip the group was able to catch a couple of early silver salmon.    In addition, the first 6 silver salmon of the season finally passed through the Alaska Department of Fish and Game’s (ADF&G) Deshka River Weir on July 19.

For Mat-Su residents interested in personal use dip net fishing for sockeye salmon, the first 1098 sockeye salmon passed through the ADF&G’s Fish Creek Weir on the 4 days from July 16 – 19.   Remember that this fishery will remain closed until ADF&G can project that 50,000 sockeye will pass upstream of the weir — at which time the Department MAY open the fishery by emergency order.  Without rapid and dramatic improvements in Fish Creek sockeye salmon escapements it remains to be seen if the fishery will even open in 2011.    Also at FIsh Creek on August 6 and 7, 2011, a weekend only sport salmon fishery is scheduled to open for kids 15 years old and younger.  On the second weekend in August the Fish Creek weekend only salmon spot fishery will open to people of all ages as has occurred in the recent past.

While reports of salmon returning to Little Susitna River, Deshka River, and Fish Creek have been quite low, other road accessible Mat-Su salmon fisheries may have even less salmon available at this time.  Contrast that with the boom of sockeye salmon into the Kenai River , where more than 500,000 sockeye salmon passed the ADF&G sonar counter during the same July 16 – 19 period when only 1098 Mat-Su sockeye’s were swimming past the the Fish Creek Weir.

Kenai River Dip Net and Sport Fishing Opportunity –

As a person whose short weekly column focusses on Mat-Su Valley fisheries, I like to keep mentions of fisheries in other areas to a minimum, however, for Mat-Su Valley residents who would like to harvest significant numbers of personal use sockeye salmon, or for those who would like to see and possibly catch good numbers of salmon on a rod and reel, making the long drive to the Kenai Peninsula and the Kenai RIver may be your best option over the July 23 and 24 weekend.  For those unfamiliar with personal use dipnet regulations, a free permit is required and can be picked up at the Mat-Su Valley, Anchorage, or Soldotna ADF&G office during regular business hours.   ADF&G recently expanded the Kenai River sockeye salmon sport fishery to 24 hours per day, and also expanded the Kenai River sport sockeye salmon limit to 6 per day.  For more information contact an ADF&G office or visit the following ADF&G website URL:  http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=fishingSportFishingInfo.R2&year=2011

Best Time to Go

From reports I’ve read on the Alaska Outdoor Journal website, http://alaskaoutdoorjournal.com/Reports/Fishreport/anglerreport.html , the July 23 / 24 weekend may represent that best remaining opportunity to dipnet Kenai River sockeye salmon, as ADF&G test net results from out in Cook Inlet indicate large numbers of sockeye salmon could reach the Kenai River on Saturday morning, but sockeye numbers could fall off dramatically after the weekend.  Expect this fishery to be crowded with both fish and those attempting to catch them.

With ADF&G commercial managers currently attempting to harvest Kenai River and Kasiloff River sockeye salmon at maximum harvest rates, it remains to be seen what kind of salmon numbers will make it past the commercial nets to return to Mat-Su Valley streams.  Hopefully late July and early August will see better numbers of salmon arriving here.  Read this column next week for an update on Mat-Su salmon fisheries which may be peaking at that time.

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

Mat-Su Anglers FIshing Corner by Andy Couch

Boosting Mat-Su Salmon Returns By Dipping Kenai River Sockeye

The Mat-Su Valley sport king salmon fisheries all ended on Wednesday July 13, except for the Eklutna Tailrace location which will remain open to king salmon fishing through December 31.  Last week I was thinking some of my charter guests might catch some early arriving silver (coho) salmon during the last week of the king salmon season.  Although I’ve talked with a three guides who had guests catch a few silver salmon from their boats over the past week — the guests in my guide boat have yet to boat the first year 2011 silver salmon.  I’ve spent a considerable amount of time on the Deshka River fishing bait for salmon in the past week, so what I make of this situation, is that there are relatively few silver salmon available in the Deshka River at this time.  A discussion with Alaska Department of FIsh and Game biologist Pete Cleary on Wednesday further revealed that the Department has been catching very few coho and chum salmon from their data colleting fish wheel project on the lower Susitna River this week.

I talked with Alaska Department of Fish and Game Fisheries Biologist, Samantha Oslund on Monday of this week and asked her if the Department had heard much about  chum or silver salmon arriving at Little Susitna River — and the answer was — “Not much at all.”  Samantha also told me that the Department had not yet counted any sockeye salmon through the Fish Creek weir.   During the week, I also talked with a friend who boated down to the tidewater area of the Little Susinta River, and another friend who drove out to the landing and talked with the Parks  ranger assistant this week.   Both reported not much happening yet with silver or chum salmon at Little Susitna River.

On the Alaska Outdoor Journal website reports are that fishing has been slow for Kenai River sockeye as well.   Just recently sockeye salmon catches in the Offshore Test Fishery conducted through the Department of Fish and Game have started to show an increase in sockeye salmon abundance.  According to the Alaksa Outdoor Journal web forum moderator those numbers should translate into greatly increased abundance of sockeye salmon in the Kenai River by approximately Sunday July 17.   For those wanting to participate in the Kenai River personal use dipnet fishery open to Alaska residents, now may be a good time to go — or at least to start planning a trip.

I’ll be visiting a friend who has a place on the Kenai River over the July 16 and 17 weekend, and we plan on dipping as many Kenai sockeye salmon as our personal use permits allow (35) for a 2 member household.  As a person who is very dependent upon healthy returns of all salmon species coming back to the Mat-Su Valley, I feel obligated to harvest Kenai sockeye and help keep the Kenai River sockeye salmon sonar count down (by harvesting fish below the sonar site).   This is because large numbers of sockeye salmon passing the Kenai River sonar trigger Alaska Department of FIsh and Game commercial biologists into issuing additional commercial fishing time that harvest a mixture of all salmon present in the Upper Cook Inlet at the time of those openings.

What better time to take a road trip to dipnet a winter’s supply of great-eating Kenai sockeye than over a weekend when very few salmon are likley to be present in Mat-Su Valley streams.     Remember harvesting some of those Kenai sockeye in a personal dipnet helps maintain larger numbers of salmon of all species returning to streams in the Mat-Su Valley and other streams in the Northern portion of Upper Cook Inlet.  If you care about Mat-Su salmon, I hope you can take the opportunity to dip some Kenai sockeye this July.    Doing so may also contribute to the opening of the Fish Creek sockeye salmon fishery in the Mat-Su Valley later in the season.    For those who have not had the opportunity to catch salmon in a personal use dipnet, let me assure you, it can also be a lot of fun and worth the time and effort.  A great recreational opportunity for all Alaskans who choose to participate.

Mat-Su Valley Salmon Opportunities for July 16 & 17 weekend –

For those who would like to fish in the valley this weekend, expect rather slow fishing, but some salmon may be present at lower Little Susitna River, Cottonwood Creek, Jim Creek, Eklutna Tailrace, Deshka River, Willow Creek, Little Willow Creek and Talkeetna River (sockeye salmon).  Salmon numbers in Mat-Su Valley streams should build throughout the Month of July, with coho abundances peaking later in early or mid August.

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

Mat-Su Anglers Fishing Corner by Andy Couch

Last 5 Days for Mat-Su Valley King Salmon Fishing

As this column is made public on Friday July 8, counting Friday, king salmon fishing will only remain open for 5 days at specific locations, and then the Mat-Su Valley king salmon fishing season will end for 2011. The one exception is the stocked king salmon fishery in and near Eklutna Tailrace which will remain open for the rest of the year. Of the fisheries I’ve participated in or heard of lately, anglers have still been catching some king salmon at Talkeetna River, Lake Creek, Talachulitna River, Deshka River, and Eklutna Tailrace. While king salmon fishing would best be characterized as past the peak and slowing down, there are still king salmon available to be caught.

July / August Runs of Other Salmon Coming Soon

While the only salmon other than kings that I’ve heard of anglers harvesting have been a few early sockeye salmon, a review of recent commercial fisheries catches from Upper Cook Inlet on the Alaska Department of Fish and Game website shows that sockeye salmon, chum salmon, pink salmon, and coho salmon are all showing up in the commercial catches. I expect some of my salmon charter guests will catch additional bonus salmon, other than king salmon, within the next week.

On July 11 the Upper Cook Inlet commercial drift fishery will be restricted to a smaller fishing area in an attempt by the Alaska Board of FIsheries to move more sockeye, coho, and other salmon to the Northern portion of Upper Cook Inlet. I would expect some of those salmon allowed to pass through the middle of Cook Inlet on the 11th could be reaching Mat-Su Valley streams by July 13, 14, and 15. It will be interesting to see how this attempt to allow more salmon to reach Northern Cook Inlet spawning streams works out. Additional days when the drift fishery will fish a restricted area in order to pass salmon on to Northern streams throughout the season are scheduled to occur later in July, unless 2011 inseason Alaska Department of FIsh and Game (ADF&G) sockeye salmon return estimates to Upper Cook Inlet and the Kenai River grow too large. If / when ADF&G sockeye salmon projections exceed a specific number, the new commercial restrictions designed to pass salmon on to streams at the Northern end of Upper Cook Inlet could go out the window for the remainder of the season.

ADF&G Installs FIsh Creek Salmon Counting Weir

Department staff from the Palmer office were busy installing the Fish Creek salmon counting weir on Wednesday July 6, so initial return numbers may be available on the ADF&G website by the time this article is published. Often early July Fish Creek salmon escapements are very low with few sockeye salmon swimming past the weir. Hopefully the July 11th commercial drift restriction will cause those often low numbers to swell. An additional change made by the Alaska Board of Fisheries this past winter was to allow personal use dip net fishing by Alaskan residents to occur at Fish Creek once the ADF&G sockeye escapement to Fish Creek can be projected to exceed 50,000 fish rather than the 70,000 fish previously used. If enough sockeye return to allow a fishery once again in 2011, this should provide an additional boon to those wanting to harvest Mat-Su sockeye salmon, and a resulting boon to Valley businesses as well. In a year where many Mat-Su king salmon returns were, once again, below historic numbers the prospect of bigger returns of sockeye, chum, pink, and coho salmon is welcomed by both Alaska visitors and Valley residents.

For those interested in keeping up-to-date on ADF&G monitored salmon return numbers here is the URL address to the above mentioned ADF&G webpage where this information is available: http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/sf/FishCounts/

Of particular interest to Mat-Su Valley residents may be the Deshka River weir counts in addition to the Fish Creek weir counts. These are the best two locations for sport anglers to get an inseason feel for what is happening in the Mat-Su Valley. Previous year’s salmon counts for Cottonwood and Wasilla Creeks may also help those unfamiliar with normal run timing for specific Mat-Su Valley salmon runs, and Little Susitna River weir counts provide a historic perspective of coho run sizes from one of the valley’s most popular salmon streams. Unfortunately the late nature of counts from the upper end of the Little Susitna River provide little benefit for both anglers and ADF&G managers interested in what is happening at specific times on the lower Little Susitna River near the Little Susitna River Public Use Facility. Many Little Susitna River anglers and others interested in the health of Mat-Su Valley salmon runs are hopeful the Little Susitna River weir location will be changed in the near future.

Mat-Su Anglers Club News

A recent conversation with club president, Julie Busch, revealed that the club event planned for Saturday July 9 at South Rolly Lake had to be cancelled.

The Club’s monthly meeting at the Menard Sports Center at 7 p.m. on July 14 and the kid’s casting clinic on July 15 at the same location are still on, however, additional kids are needed to sign up for the casting clinic — the clinic is a great opportunity for kids or parents interested in getting their kids involved in the sport of fishing. Call Julie Busch at 892-7543 for more information.

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