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Alaska Fishing Reports
2008
2008
Alaska fishing reports and forecasts cover Deshka River and Little Susitna River
king salmon and silver salmon fishing trips in Alaska summer seasons, and winter
ice fishing in Mat-Su Valley lakes road accessible from Anchorage, Palmer, and
Wasilla. Our season fishing forecast is posted first, however, you may skip the
forecast by scrolling down, or clicking fishing
report.
2008 Alaska Salmon Fishing Forecasts
King Salmon - Deshka River Expectations
Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) data collected at Deshka River Weir
during 2007 indicates the Deshka River king salmon run will likely be smaller
than last year, however, ADF&G is still expecting a Deshka king salmon return of
over 20,000 fish. Deshka fishermen will be allowed to use bait starting May 15,
but, the daily bag limit for king salmon will likely remain at one fish per day
rather than increasing to two kings daily as it has in the past. We expect the
river to be open on a 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. basis in 2008. Because Deshka River
fishing regulations have been liberalized by ADF&G each of the past several
seasons, and could be adjusted in 2008, we encourage anglers to check current
regulations before fishing Deshka River. For a Deshka River regulation update
call ADF&G at 746-6300.
Little Susitna River King Salmon - Less, but Larger
ADF&G data for the Little Susitna River king salmon fishery is not as good as
that available for the Deshka River, however, I would expect a Little Susitna
king salmon fishery similar to what we’ve seen in past seasons. This river does
not have near as many king salmon as the Deshka, however the average king salmon
caught caught can weigh up to 10 pounds heavier than the average Deshka River
king salmon.
Silver Salmon Forecast - Expect Better Fishing in August
Parent year spawning escapements topped 40,000 fish for coho salmon that should
return to both Deshka and Little Susitna River in 2008. On the other hand we
experienced a large flooding event on both rivers in the fall of 2006 which
could have affected in river survival of juvenile coho salmon. When a huge
return of silver salmon occurs we usually have larger numbers of coho salmon
through out the entire season, however, with uncertainty of how high water may
have affected young salmon that would return this year, I would advise people
with flexibility to schedule silver salmon trips in August (when the bulk of the
salmon are available in the rivers we fish).
Our goal is to post a daily fishing report for each trip I run (when I have
time I may post reports form other guides as well) but if time constraints delay
us from updating for a few days, you can also visit previous year's reports to
see what happened then. Salmon run timing is relatively consistent from year to
year, so that should give you a rough idea of what to expect. Enjoy our 2008
reports.
Viewing: June 2008
June 01, 2008
Little Susitna River -- I guided a morning group of 5 people, 2 of whom caught king salmon on Spinning and Flashing Cheaters. The group also caught a snagged king salmon which we released, and had a bite from a jack king salmon which got away. We also saw a cow moose with a new born calf along the river.
I guided an afternoon group of 4 fishermen, who hooked 1 king salmon on an M2 Flatfish, but landed no fish. We back trolled lots of holes with Cheaters, Kwikfish, and Flatfish, but could not even get another strike. Water was muddier today, but clearing considerably by this evening.
June 02, 2008
I guided a morning group of 5 fishermen, 4 of whom caught king salmon. The 4 king salmon weighed from 20 - 29 pounds.
I fished with one person in the afternoon, and even though we fished lots of prime water, we only caught one rainbow trout.
June 03, 2008
I guided a morning group of 5 anglers, 4 of whom caught king salmon. The fish weighed 9, 22, 24, and 31 pounds.
June 04, 2008
I guided a morning group of 5 guests who caught 4 king salmon while backtrolling with Kwikfish, Flatfish, and Spinning Flashing Cheaters.
June 05, 2008
I guided a morning group of 3 fishermen who each caught a king salmon. The larger fish weighed 27 and 33 pounds, while the smallest salmon likely weighed about 10 pounds, but was released without removing it from the water. The angler who released the salmon managed to hook a larger salmon later, but it managed to get off the hook.
I guided an afternoon group of 3 guests, each of whom caught a king salmon. 4 king salmon and 1 jack king salmon were caught on a blue and chartreuse M2 Flatfish, while the remaining salmon was caught on a Spinning Cheater. One salmon was a nice bright 29 pound fish, while all the others looked to weigh 10 pounds or less, and the jack king salmon was about 15 inches long.
June 06, 2008
I guided a morning group of 4 people each of whom hooked a nice sized king salmon, but only two of them were caught, as the third salmon broke the line, and the 4th salmon simply shook the hook loose shortly after the hook set. One salmon was caught on a Spinning Cheater, and the other 3 salmon were all hooked on K-15 Kwikfish.
I guided an afternoon group of 5 people who caught one rainbow trout on an M2 Flatfish.
June 07, 2008
I guided a morning group of 4 people who hooked one king salmon on a Spinning Cheater, but the hook pulled free before the salmon could be landed. We saw salmon rolling during the trip, felt them bumping into our lines as we back trolled through the holes, but could not manage to hook up any more fish.
I guided an afternoon group of 2 guests who hooked 2 king salmon on a Spinning Cheater, but once again the salmon managed to pull loose before the could be landed.
June 08, 2008
i guided a morning group of 4 guests who caught one king salmon of about 10 pounds, and hooked and lost a second salmon which looked to be about the same size. Both salmon were hooked on a Spinning Cheater.
I guided an afternoon group of 5 guests who caught 1 rainbow trout and 1 Dolly Varden on an M2 Flatfish. We did not manage to hook a single salmon, although we fished lots of prime water with little competition from other anglers.
June 09, 2008
I guided 4 fishermen who each caught a king salmon. The salmon weighed 40, 24, 21, and 21 pounds. 1 king salmon was caught on a #4 silver and black Flashtrap Spinner, 1 king salmon was caught on a Green Rainbow Spinning Cheater, and 2 king salmon were caught on K-15 Kwikfish. We also saw a black bear sitting beside the river watching us, along with the usual bald eagles, ducks, geese.
June 10, 2008
I guided a morning group of 2 guests who hooked 1 king salmon on a Spinning Cheater, but did not manage to catch a king salmon. We also fished with M2 flatfish, K-13 Kwikfish, a magnum Wiggle Wart, and Flashtrap Spinners. We saw salmon rolling in several of the holes we fished, but could not lure them into biting.
I guided an afternoon group of 4 guests who hooked 1 king salmon on an M2 Flatfish,but did not catch a king salmon. In the afternoon I only saw one salmon roll, and although we had some fish bump into our lines as we back trolled through the holes we had difficulty finding biters. We also back trolled K-15 Kwikfish and Beau Mac Spinning Cheaters behind Jet Divers. Water remains considerably lower than normal.
Deshka River Weir -- king salmon escapement numbers through the weir are currently less than 220 fish for the past 11 days. If numbers do not increase dramatically and within a couple day, king salmon fishing on Deshka River could be dramatically restricted or even closed to retention of king salmon.
The Northern District Commercial king salmon fishery has also been catching significantly less king salmon than normal in the first 3 commercial openings. It would seem that king salmon return numbers are either late or lower than normal throughout most of the Mat-Su Valley this year.
June 11, 2008
I guided a morning group of 4 people who each caught a king salmon while back trolling with K-15 Kwikfish or Spinning Cheaters fished behind Jet Divers. The salmon weighed 27, 27, 32, and 40 pounds.
I guided an afternoon group of 4 people who each caught a king salmon. The smallest salmon weighed 21 pounds and the largest fish weighed 42 pounds.
June 12, 2008
I guided 4 guests who each caught a king salmon, the largest of which weighed 45 pounds. All the salmon were caught on K-15 Kwikfish.
I guided an afternoon group of 5 guests who caught 2 king salmon the larger of which weighed 24 pounds and the smaller salmon weighed about 6 pounds.
June 13, 2008
I guided a morning group of 6 guests who caught 4 king salmon. The two larger salmon weighed 21 and 31 pounds and the smaller two salmon were approximately 6 pounds and 10 pounds. All of the fish were caught on K-15 Kwikfish.
I guided 3 guests in the afternoon who caught 1 king salmon on Fire Cured salmon roe fished under ESB Bobbers.
The use of bait was closed after today while fishing on the Deshka River. The Deshka River king salmon escapement was slightly over 400 fish when we stopped by the weir today.
While boating along the Susitna River today the entire group had a good view of a grizzly bear.
June 14, 2008
I guided 5 guests who each caught a king salmon on K-15 Kwikfish. Water was rising and dark colored when I got off the river after the charter. The group caught mostly nice large salmon today with a 16, 33, 34, 35, and 45 pound fish. We caught the first 4 fish rather quickly, and then had to fish almost the entire rest of the trip just to get another bite. Water conditions may play a role in our level of success tomorrow.
June 15, 2008
I guided 4 people in the morning, 1 of whom briefly hooked a king salmon, and that was the only action we had. We did not even see another angler hook a salmon the entire trip.
In the afternoon I guided 6 people who did not hook a salmon. We fished in 3 different tributaries of the Susitna River, and saw one fish caught. Everyone in the group, however, did have the opportunity to see 2 black bears. Water was higher the entire day, and looks to remain higher for the next few days.
June 16, 2008
I guided a morning group of 4 guests who each caught a king salmon on K-15 Kwikfish. The fish weighed 18, 32, 34, and 45 pounds.
I guided an afternoon group of 4 guests who each caught a king salmon. 3 king salmon were caught on K-15 Kwikfish and 1 king salmon was caught on a #2 Spin-N-Glo bounced along the bottom. The afternoon king salmon weighed 21, 25, 28, and 48 pounds.
June 17, 2008
I guided a morning group of 4 anglers who caught 3 king salmon on K-15 Kwikfish. The fish weighed 25, 30, and 45 pounds. The 4th member of the group also hooked an additional king salmon which got away. Those were the only fish we hooked in the morning.
I guided an afternoon group of 4 fishermen who caught 1 king salmon on the first drift on a #2 Spinning Cheater fished behind a Jet Diver. We fished lots of prime water for the remainder of the trip with both K-15 Kwikfish and Spinning Cheaters, and although the guests had fish bump their lines or lures in some of the holes, they did not get any additional good strikes or hookups. As suspected from looking at the USGS water chart the river level did indeed come up and get muddier today, and looks like it should rise even more for tomorrow.
June 18, 2008
I guided 4 guests who each caught a king salmon. All of the fish weighed between 20 and 30 pounds. 3 king salmon were caught on K-15 Kwikfish and 1 king salmon was caught on a Spinning Cheater fished behiind a Jet Divert. Water level continues to rise and get dirtier.
June 19, 2008
I guided a morning group of 5 fishermen, 3 of whom caught king salmon. 1 king salmon was caught on a K-15 Kwikfish and 2 king salmon were caught on Spinning Cheaters. The fish weighed between 20 and 30 pounds.
I guided an afternoon group of 4 guests who caught 2 king salmon on Spinning Cheaters fished behind Jet Divers. The king salmon weighed 22 and 25 pounds. Water came up even more today, and should rise once again tomorrow.
June 20, 2008
I guided 4 fishermen who each caught average sized king salmon weighing between about 20 and 32 pounds.
I guided an afternoon group of 4 fishermen who caught 2 king salmon on Spinning Cheaters fished behind jet divers. The larger salmon weighed 32 pounds and the smaller salmn about 23 pounds.
June 21, 2008
I guided a morning group of 5 guests who each caught a king salmon. All the salmon were caught on K-15 Kwikfish. 1 king salmon that was kept weighed about 10 pounds, but swallowed the Kwikfish so deep that he was mortally wounded. The other fish weighed between 18 and 30 pounds.
I guided an afternoon group of 4 guests who caught 1 king salmon on a K-15 Kwikfish that weighed 8 pounds. We had a tough time getting bites in the afternoon, and only had two other chances we were not able to hook.
June 22, 2008
I guided a morning group of 4 guests, who caught 2 king salmon on K-15 Kwickfish. The group also hooked a couple fish on Spinning Cheaters, and had additional bites on the Kwickfish, but fish were able to throw the hook before we could land them. 1 king salmon weighed over 30 pounds and the other weighed about 10 pounds.
I guided an afternoon group of 4 guests who caught 3 king salmon on K-15 Kwikfish and had one additional bite on a Spinning Cheater. The salmon weighed 17, 38, and 43 pounds. Water seemed to be dropping and clearing, but the USGS water chart show it should be going up in the next couple days.
June 23, 2008
I guided 4 guests who caught 2 king salmon each of which weighed 23 pounds. Both salmon were caught on Spinning Cheaters fished behind Jet Divers. 1 of the other guests also caught a jack king salmon on a K-15 Kwikfish. The water had risen and become muddy likely from rain the previous morning.
June 24, 2008
I guided 4 guests, 3 of whom caught king salmon weighing between 22 and 27 pounds. All of the salmon were caught on Spinning Cheaters fished behind Jet Divers. The 4th guest on the trip fished both Spinning Cheaters and K-15 Kwikfish, but could not coax a bite during the entire trip. Water level remained high.
June 25, 2008
In the afternoon I attended the Legislative Salmon Task Force Meeting for Upper Cook Inlet at the Legislative Information Office in Anchorage. The focus of the meeting is how to get better escapements of sockeye and other salmon stocks into the Northern District of Cook Inlet during the month of July. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game did not offer any good ideas on how this could be accomplished. The Representatives and Senators on the task force seemed quite frustrated with the Department`s history of missed escapement to the Northern District (Yentna River), and was looking for concrete solutions.
June 26, 2008
I guided a group of 4 fishermen who caught 1 king salmon jack, and 2 king salmon weighing 8 and 19 pounds. All 3 fish were caught on M-2 Deep Diving Flatfish although the group also had bites and hooked a salmon on a Spinning Cheater fished behind a Jet Diver. Water remains higher and muddier than normal for this time in the seaosn, but has started dropping and clearing.
June 27, 2008
I guided 5 people in the morning, 3 of whom caught king salmon. 2 of the salmon were caught on Spinning Cheaters fished behind Jet Divers, and 1 salmon was caught on a M-2 deep diving Flatfish.
I guided an afternoon group of 2 guests, each of whom caught king salmon in the 25 - 30 pound class on Spinning Cheaters fished behind Jet Divers.
June 28, 2008
I guided a group of 5 fishermen, each of whom caught a king salmon on K-15 Kwikfish.
June 29, 2008
I guided a group of 4 anglers, each of whom caught a king salmon on K-15 Kwikfish.
June 30, 2008
I guided an afternoon group of 4 anglers, 3 of whom caught king salmon on K-15 Kwikfish, and 1 of whom caught a king salmon on a Spinning Cheater fished behind a Jet Diver.
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