07/01/2010
I guided a morning group of 4 guests, each of whom caught a king salmon while drifting Fire Cured salmon roe under ESB Bobbers.
I guided an afternoon group of 6 guests, none of whom managed to catch a fish. We fish several good spots, and saw some salmon rolling, and swimming up river, but did not get many bites. We did however, see two moose, one of which was a decent sized antlered bull that was swimming its way across the Susitna River.
07/02/2010
I guided a morning group of 4 guests, each of whom caught a king salmon of about 18 – 20 pounds while drifting Fire Cured salmon roe under ESB Bobbers. Like many of our trips we saw several bald eagles during the trip.
07/03/2010
I fished with Frede and 3 friends and 4 of us caught king salmon by drifting Pautzke`s Fire Cured salmon roe under ESB Bobbers. One member never even hooked a salmon, while another member of the group also caught a king salmon casting with a Flashtrap Spinner. During the trip we saw a moose, several ducks, eagles, and beavers. Another great day on the river, and I had an opportunity to harvest a king salmon myself.
07/04/2010
I guided a group of 3 people, each of whom caught a king salmon while fishing salmon roe cured with Pautzke`s Fire Cure. 2 members of the group also caught jack king salmon using the same bait. There was a good rain this morning which kept conditions cool and excellent for fishing. I`ll be guiding again tomorrow.
07/05/2010
I guided a group of 4 people in the morning, 2 of whom caught chrome king salmon on Fire Cured salmon roe drifted under ESB Bobbers. Both of the morning fish were females.
I guided an afternoon trip of 4 guests, 2 of whom caught king salmon on Fire Cured salmon roe drifted under ESB Bobbers. One salmon was chrome, and the other was slightly blushed. Both afternoon fish were males.
On the trips we saw our usual large number of bald eagles, but also saw a bull moose crossing the river in the afternoon.
07/06/2010
I guided a group of 4 people in the morning, each of whom caught a king salmon on Fire Cured salmon roe drifted under ESB Bobbers.
I guided an afternoon group of 4 people, each of whom also caught a king salmon on Fire Cured salmon roe drifted under ESB Bobbers.
07/07/2010
I guided a morning group of 4 guests, each of whom caught a king salmon on Fire Cured salmon roe fished under ESB Bobbers.
I guided an afternoon group of 4 guests, 3 of whom caught king salmon on Fire Cured salmon roe drifted under ESB Bobbers.
07/08/2010
I guided a group of 5 guests, 4 of whom caught king salmon on Fire Cured salmon roe drifted under ESB Bobbers.
07/09/2010
I guided a morning group of 5 guests, 2 of whom caught king salmon, and one of whom caught a silver salmon. All of the fish were caught on Pautzke`s Fire Cured salmon roe fished under ESB Bobbers.
07/10/2010
I guided a group of 3 guests, 2 of whom caught king salmon on Fire Cured salmon roe drifted under ESB Bobbers.
07/11/2010
I guided a group of 5 anglers who caught 4 king salmon and 4 silver salmon all on Fired Cured salmon roe drifted under ESB Bobbers. Each guest caught at least one salmon.
07/12/2010
I guided a morning group of 5 people, 4 of whom caught king salmon, and 3 of whom caught silver salmon. Each guest caught a salmon, and all of the fish were caught on Fire Cured salmon roe drifted under ESB Bobbers.
07/13/2010
I guided a group of 5 guests, 4 of whom caught king salmon, 1 of whom caught a silver salmon, and 1 of whom caught a rainbow trout. All of the fish were caught on Fire Cured salmon roe drifted under ESB Bobbers. The king salmon count through Deshka River Weir now stands at nearly 18,000 fish for the season. This is approximately 5,000 king salmon over the minimum spawning requirement — and some of those fish have been harvested by anglers fishing above the weir, however, the vast majority will be part of the spawning escapement.
The Deshka River king salmon season will end today at 11 p.m. unless the Alaska Department of Fish and Game extends the season. If the king salmon season were extended below the weir, only, then all those kings currently above the weir would be protected for spawning purposes, while new king salmon entering the lower river would be available for harvest. There are still some ocean – chrome fish with sea lice clinging to them in the river at this time. If you would like to talk to the people who could make an emergency order to extend the season for these fish call Fish and Game Biologists Dave Rutz at 746-6323 or Sam Ivey at 746-6334.
KING SALMON FISHERY MEETING
There will be a public meeting at Sheep Creek Lodge on the evening of July 14 at 7 p.m. to discuss the king salmon fishery closures of the Parks Highway tributaries of the Susitna River. At least one ADF&G biologist will attend and answer questions. This should provide the public an opportunity to offer some solutions as to how a fishery could be maintained during times of low returning king salmon numbers. Contact Representative Mark Neuman`s office at 376-2679 for more information or show up at the meeting if you are interested.
07/14/2010
I guided a morning group of 5 guests, who caught 3 silver salmon, 4 members of the group also caught king salmon which were released. We also had a very unique experience, when one member of the group caught an immature bald eagle. For some reason the eagle dove down and got my guest`s leader tangled around it`s feet. The big bird ended up in the water, being hauled in by an angler playing it like a salmon. Fortunately the eagle was quite docile by the time it was brought to the boat, and I was able to cut the leader, untangling the bird, and release it unharmed. The eagle simply floated away on the current until it came close to the river bank, at which time it stroked over to the bank with it`s wings, got out of the water, and flew off. We also saw a young grizzly bear during the morning trip, but compared to landing an eagle on a rod and reel, that experience lost some of its luster.
I guided an afternoon group of 3 guests who caught one silver salmon. We fished over a couple good schools of salmon, but had a very difficult time getting bites on the afternoon trip. The only other fish even hooked, was a rainbow trout which was landed and released only to become a meal for a sea gull. During the afternoon trip we had the unique experience of watching a coyote scavenging for something to eat along the bank. The coyote seemed totally unconcerned with us.
For those wondering, all of our fish, and the bald eagle, were caught while fishing with Pautke`s Fire Cured salmon roe drifted below ESB Bobbers. During the afternoon trip my guests also fished with #3 and #4 Flashtrap Spinners, in hopes that something different my interest the salmon.
07/16/2010
I guided a morning group of 6 anglers, who caught 7 silver salmon on Flashtrap Spinners on the Little Susitna River. #4 silver and black and #4 orange blade were the best producers for us.
I guided an afternoon group of 3 guests, and one guest caught his limit of silver salmon, but the other two guests did not manage to land a fish. The guest caught his fish on a #4 silver and black Flashtrap Spinner. We definitely had a more difficult time finding fish that were willing to bite in the afternoon.
Water is low and clear, but should rise overnight.
07/17/2010
Frede and I took today and the next couple days off for our 3 day mini-vacation during the summer. I will be back guiding a silver salmon trip to the Deshka River on July 20.
07/18/2010
Frede and I took the day off. I will be guiding my next fishing trip on July 20.
07/19/2010
Frede and I took the day off — but I am scheduled to guide a silver salmon trip tomorrow morning (July 20), so check back Tuesday afternoon to see what the group caught.
We currently have good availability for silver salmon charter s for the next several days, and i can guide trips to the Little Susitna River, Deshka River, or Eastside tributary streams of the Susitna River. Give us a call at 907-746-2199 if you`d like to join us for a fun silver salmon trip using some of the finest fishing gear available.
07/20/2010
I guided 4 guests on a morning trip to the Deshka River, and each guest caught a limit of silver salmon on Fire Cured salmon roe fished under ESB Bobbers. The water level was somewhat high for the Deshka, with some debris coming downstream,, however the water remains plenty clear, and there were good numbers of silver salmon available. Give us a call today, if you`d like to try this trip at 907-746-2199. We currently have good availability for the next couple days.
07/21/2010
Greg Acord guided a mroning trip for us today and his two guests each caught a limit of salmon on Flashtrap Spinners on the Little Susitna River. Water was gaining some color and coming up from yesterday`s rain, but looking at the USGS waterflow chart, i`m thinking fishing conditions should remain good on the Little Su.
Check back tomorrow evening to see how my group does on an afternoon trip. Greg and i continue to have good availability, so give us a call at 907-746-2199 if you would like to join us for a silver salmon trip in the Mat-Su Valley.
07/22/2010
I guided an afternoon group of 4 people, each of whom caught a limit of silver salmon on Flashtrap Spinners. The two largest silvers weighed eleven and a half, and twelve pounds, so there are some extra large silver salmon this year. Out top lure patterns today were #5 silver blade and silver body and #5 pink blade and silver body. The group also caught a chum salmon and a pink salmon. Water was somewhat high and muddy, but I suspect that simply brought more salmon into the river.
07/23/2010
I guided a morning group of 4 anglers, 3 of whom caught limits of silver salmon, and one who caught one silver salmon. All of the fish were caught on either #5 silver or #5 Pink Flashtrap Spinners
I guided an afternoon group of 3 anglers, each or whom caught a limit of salmon. 2 anglers limited on silver salmon, and one angler caught 2 chums and a silver salmon. All the fish were caught on Flashtrap Spinners. #4 silver and black, #5 Silver, and #5 Pink were the lures that produced fish.
Water was quite high and dark to start the day, but was clearing considerably by the end of the day.
07/24/2010
I guided a morning group of 3 guests, each of whom caught a limit of silver salmon while casting with Flashtrap Spinners. My guests were fortunate enough to see a cow moose feeding right along side the river with little concern for us in the boat.
I guided an afternoon group of 4 guests, each of whom caught a 3 salmon limit of salmon. My guests kept 5 silver salmon. 2 sockeye salmon, and 5 chum salmon. 2 fish were caught on a K14X Kwikfish and the rest were caught on Flashtrap Spinners.
07/25/2010
I guided a group of 2 guests in the morning, each of whom caught a limit of chrome silver salmon on #5 Flashtrap Spinners.
When we returned from the morning trip I met an extra guest, who had overslept and not made the earlier trip, so I guided him for a few hours, and he caught a pink, 2 chums, and 2 silver salmon all on #5 pink Flashtrap Spinners.
With all the rain, the water in Little Susinta River remains a bit higher than normal, but it also creates better fishing conditions and distributes the salmon throughout a wide number of prime fishing spots. Fishing has been excellent this week, and we expect it to get even better.
We currently have good availability for people who would like an excellent opportunity to HARVEST salmon. If you would like to catch some coean – fresh salmon with us, give us a call at 907-746-2199.
07/26/2010
I did not have a guide trip, but drove to Deshka Landing to get my boat for an oil change. After heavy rain most of the day and lighter rain for several days previous, Deshka Landing was soaked with large puddles in the parking lot, and the Susitna River was quite high.
07/27/2010
I guided a morning group of 4 guests, each of whom caught a 3 salmon limit of silver and chum salmon. Guests caught salmon buy casting with #5 Flashtrap Spinners and by back trolling with K-13X Kwikfish. The guests also caught some pink salmon as well.
I guided an afternoon group of 3 guests who caught 4 silver salmon casting with #5 Pink and #5 Silver Flashtrap Spinners. The Little Susitna RIver is rising quickly from yesterday`s rain, and I would expect it to peak sometime tomorrow. The salmon are on the move as the water rises and not holding in all of their normal hangouts. Still, I would expect some good fishing for people who find the spots the salmon choose to stop and rest.
07/28/2010
I guided a morning group of 3 guess who each caught a limit of 3 silver salmon on the Deshka River. All of the fish were caught by drifting Fire Cured salmon roe under ESB Bobbers.
I guided a group of 4 guests in the afternoon who caught 7 silver salmon on Fire Cured salmon roe drifted under ESB Bobbers. There were still plenty of salmon available, and we got quite a few bites, but action was a bit slower than in the morning. During both trip we saw quite a few jumpers.
07/29/2010
I guided a morning group of 4 guests, each of whom caught a limit of silver salmon on Flashtrap Spinners. The group also caught some chum and pink salmon on the same #5 spinners. Water was high and off-colored, but should be dropping.
07/30/2010
I guided a morning group of 3 guests who each caught a 3 salmon limit of chums and silvers. The group also caught a couple pink salmon as well. All of the fish were caught on Flashtrap Spinners.
I guided an afternoon group of 5 guests who caught 4 silver salmon, 1 pink salmon, and 1 chum salmon on Flashtrap Spinners.
07/31/2010
I guided a morning group of 2 guests,each of whom caught a 3 salmon limit of silver and chum salmon. All of the Fish were caught on #4 and #5 Flashtrap Spinners. Silver blade, pink blade, and orange blade were the patterns we used. Water level is dropping, but remains somewhat colored.
I`m planning to fish the Deshka River tomorrow, check back in the evening if you would like to know how we do, as I`ll be guiding two trips.
I dropped of 200 Flashtrap Spinners at 3 Rivers Fly and Tackle today, so they have at least a small supply now. Don`t know how long they will last.