Monday July 1, 2013
I guided a morning group of 5 guests, each of whom caught a king salmon. All 5 king salmon that were kept were caught on #2 Spin-N-Glos.
In the afternoon I fished with a group of 6 of my relatives. and we harvested 6 king salmon and released 2 additional king salmon. 1 king salmon was caught on a K15 Kwikfish. 2 king salmon were caught on Beau Mac Spinning Cheaters, and the remaining king salmon were caught on #2 Spin- N- Glos.
July 2, 2013
I took a much needed day off — spent a good part of the day napping.
July 3, 2013
I guided a morning group of 4 guests, each of whom caught a king salon on Fire Cure salmon roe drifted under ESB Bobbers.
I guided an afternoon group of 6 guests, 2 of whom caught a king salmon on Fire Cured salmon roe drifted under ESB Bobbers. Check back tomorrow for a report on 4th of July salmon fishing.
July 4, 2013
I guided a morning group of 4 guests, each of whom caught a king salmon while drifting salmon roe cured with Pautzke’s Fire Cure under ESB Bobbers. We saw several young bald eagles on the trip, along with several other boats of anglers enjoying the 4th of July holiday.
July 5, 2013
I guided a group of 6 guests in the morning, 2 of whom caught a king salmon. Each guest managed to at least briefly hook a king salmon, but we simply could not manage to bring any additional salmon to the boat. All of the fish were hooked on Fire Cured salmon roe drifted under ESB Bobbers. During the morning trip we saw a calf moose beside the river.
I guided an afternoon group of 4 guests, each of whom caught a king salmon while drifting Fire Cured salmon roe under ESB Bobbers. During both trips we saw several bald eagles.
Saturday July 6, 2013
I guided a morning group of 6 guests, 3 of whom caught king salmon. 2 king salmon were caught on #2 Spin-N-Glos and 1 king salmon was caught on a #5 pink Flashtrap Spinner. During the morning trip we watched a large bull moose stroll out to the river and then walk in the river below us for about 50 yards.
I guided an afternoon group of 3 anglers, 2 of whom caught king salmon. Both king salmon were caught on K11 Kwikfish. The 3rd angler also hooked a king salmon on a K11 Kwikfish, but lost it. I’m scheduled to guide two trips again tomorrow — check back in the evening for the next fishing report update.
Sunday July 7, 2013
I guided a morning group of 4 guests, each of whom caught a king salmon. All of the king salmon were caught on Fire Cured salmon roe drifted under ESB Bobbers.
I guided an afternoon group of 3 anglers, and we did not manage to catch a king salmon. We had a few bites during the trip and each guest managed to hook and briefly fight a king salmon, but we were unable to get any of them into the boat. We fished Fire Cured salmon roe under ESB Bobbers most of the trip, and also tried K11 and K14 Kwikfish and a #2 Spin-N-Glo.
Monday July 8, 2013 — FIRST COHO SALMON OF SEASON LANDED
I guided a morning group of 5 guests, 2 of whom caught king salmon, 1 of whom caught a jack king salmon, and 1 of whom caught a silver salmon. All of the fish were caught on Fire Cured salmon roe drifted under ESB Bobbers.
I guided an afternoon group of 4 guests, 1 of whom caught a king salmon, 1 of whom caught a king salmon jack, and 1 of whom caught a silver salmon. Once again, all of the fish were caught on FIre Cured salmon roe drifted under ESB bobbers. During both trips the group saw multiple bald eagles and beavers.
July 9, 2013
I guided a group of 5 guests, each of whom caught a fish. 2 guests caught king salmon, 2 guests caught whitefish, and 1 guest caught a sucker. In addition the group also hooked but lost a couple more king salmon, and also had a few additional bites. All of the fish were hooked or caught on Fire Cured salmon roe drifted under ESB Bobbers. During the trip we saw many bald eagles and a couple beavers along the river. I’ll be guiding again tomorrow and hope to post another fishing report update in the evening.
July 10, 2013
I guided a group of 5 guests, each of whom caught a king salmon while drifting Fire Cured salmon roe under ESB Bobbers. We saw some bald eagles during the trip, and on the drive to the landing in the morning I saw two fox along the side of the road.
July 11, 2013
I guided a morning group of 2 guests, each of whom caught a small king salmon while drifting Fire Cured salmon roe under ESB Bobbers. A couple additional king salmon were hooked, but not landed during the trip. We also saw two yearling moose feeding along the river and a few immature bald eagles along the river. I am scheduled to guide trips again tomorrow, and hope to provide a fishing report update in the evening.
July 12, 2013
I guided a morning group of 5 guests, 2 of whom caught king salmon on Fire Cured salmon roe drifted under ESB Bobbers. 1 of the anglers also battled a coho salmon all the way to the boat before losing it as it came unhooked. On the trip we saw some bald eagles and a pair of yearling moose.
I guided an afternoon group of 5 guests, and no one caught a fish. We fished Fire Cured salmon roe under ESB Bobbers and Flashtrap Spinners. We watched a boat beside us catch 1 silver salmon and lose 2 others, and we watched a 2nd boat catch a nice fresh king salmon. My guests had a few tentative bites, but were unable to hook up. I guide my final king salmon fishing trip of the season tomorrow — check back in the afternoon / evening to learn how we do.
July 13, 2013 — last day of king salmon season
I guided a group of 5 guests, 1 of whom caught and kept a king salmon. The group fished with both Flashtrap Spinners and Fire Cured salmon roe drifted under ESB Bobbers. The king salmon was caught on the Fire Cured salmon roe, and was the only fish the group managed to catch. Although the king salmon season started much slower than normal this year — we ended up guiding a good number of guests — who caught a fair number of king salmon. Although the king salmon season will be closed after today — we will now be guiding salmon fishing trips targeting coho and chum salmon — check back tomorrow for a new update.
July 14, 2013
I guided an afternoon group of 4 guests, 3 of whom hooked a salmon, but no one caught a salmon. All of the fish were hooked on #5 Flashtrap Spinners. During the trip the group spotted one bald eagle along the river.
July 15, 2013 Monday
I had a day off — but will be guiding again on Tuesday — check back in the evening for the latest fishing report update.
July 16, 2013
I guided a group of 5 people, who caught and kept 6 silver salmon and 5 chum salmon. All of the fish were caught on Flashtrap Spinners — the two patterns we fished were silver / black and pink blade. During the trip the group saw and photographed a couple eagles sitting along the river, and also saw a young bull moose. I’ll be fishing again tomorrow and will have another report in the evening.
July 17, 2013
I guided a group of 5 guests who caught 9 chum salmon, 1 sockeye salmon, and 1 pink salmon. 5 chum salmon and the pink salmon were caught on #5 Flashtrap Spinners. 4 chum salmon were caught on K11 Kwikfish. The sockeye salmon was caught on a Brad’s Wee Wiggler. During the trip we saw a couple bald eagles. Will be out guiding another trip tomorrow and should have an update posted later.
July 18, 2013
It was a memorable day of fishing. I took my first trip out of Susitna Landing this season and guided a group of 4 guests, who caught 5 silver salmon, about 20 pink salmon, 1 chum salmon, and 2 king salmon (both king salmon were released). One of the guests fish with flies most of the trip, and did quite well, catching a couple silver salmon, the chum salmon, and pink salmon. The other 3 guests fished Fire Cured salmon roe under ESB Bobbers and each caught a silver salmon, while one of them also caught both king salmon. During the trip we saw several bald eagles and boated up fairly close to a larger grizzly bear — the only real live bear I’ve seen this entire season, so far. From now through Monday July 22 I will be taking a few days off and doing some fishing of my own — however — Greg Acord will be guiding some trips for us and still has some guide space availability for those dates — you can call him direct at (907) 376-0692 if you would like to go on a guided salmon fishing trip to the Little Susitna River in the next 4 days.
July 22, 2013
My 4-day summer break is over and I will be guiding a group tomorrow. Check back in the evening for our latest 2013 Alaska Fishing Report — we should have some catching to report.
July 23, 2013
I guided a group of 4 people, 3 of whom caught a limit of silver salmon, and 1 of whom caught a single silver salmon. All of the fish were caught casting with #5 Flashtrap Spinners. The two patterns we fished were silver / black and pink blade. During the trip we saw one young moose along the river. I am scheduled to guide two trips tomorrow, so hope to report more fish caught tomorrow.
Wednesday July 24, 2013
I guided a morning group of 5 guests, each of whom caught a limit of silver salmon while casting with #5 Flashtrap Spinners. Once again silver /black and pink blade patterns where the ones catching the fish. During the trip we saw a young moose beside the river, and a couple chum salmon were also caught.
I guided an afternoon group of 4 guests, 3 of whom each caught a limit of 2 silver salmon, and 1 of whom caught a single silver salmon. In addition 3 of the guests also caught a chum salmon. All of the fish were caught on #5 Flashtrap Spinners, although we tried some other spinners as well. The water level is getting low and water temperatures have been rising with the hotter weather, but I’ve heard we may get some rain over the next couple days — which would be welcome at this time. I’m scheduled to guide two additional trips tomorrow and will try to post the next report in the evening.
July 25, 2013
I guided a morning group of 3 guests one of whom caught 2 coho salmon, and 2 of whom caught 1 coho salmon each. All of the fish were caught on Flashtrap Spinners. We saw a a decent number of salmon rolling in one location, but could not coax them into biting — other than that there seemed to be very few salmon in the lower river or coming in on the tide.
I guided an afternoon group of 4 guests, 2 of whom caught 1 coho salmon each. 1 of these two guests also caught a pink salmon. All salmon were caught on Flashtrap Spinners. During the afternoon trip we saw even less salmon than in the morning, although like the morning we covered several miles of river. I plan to guide and post a fishing report update again tomorrow.
Friday July 26, 2013
I guided a group of 4 guests, 2 of whom caught limits of silver salmon, 1 of whom caught 2 chum salmon, and 1 of whom caught 1 chum salmon. All of the salmon were caught on #5 Flashtrap Spinners. We did not see any moose along the river today, but I saw one while driving to the river in the morning. I’m scheduled to guide again tomorrow — and plan to post a report in the evening. Water level remains low and fish seem reluctant to bite. For the second day in a row we did not see many rollers.
Saturday July 27, 2013
I guided a morning group of 5 guests, who caught 1 silver salmon on a #5 Flashtrap Spinner. That was the only fish the group hooked during an entire morning of fishing. We even fished the start of the incoming tide and saw a few fish rolling, but could not entice any of them into biting.
I guided an afternoon group of 4 guests, who caught a total of 2 net marked silver salmon. Both fish were caught on the outgoing tide with a #5 pink Flashtrap Spinner.
Sunday July 28, 2013
I guided a morning group of 4 guests, 2 of who caught a limit of silver salmon, and 1 of whom caught 1 silver salmon. All of the silvers were caught on #5 Flashtrap Spinners and in addition the group also caught and released a chum salmon, and pulled another chum salmon all the way to the boat before losing it.
I guided an afternoon group of 4 guests, 1 of whom caught a silver salmon on a #5 Flashtrap Spinner. That was the only fish the group hooked. I will be guiding trips again tomorrow, and expect the should have better success catching salmon.
July 29, 2013
I guided a morning group of 6 guests, 1 of whom caught a 2 coho salmon limit, 3 of whom caught 1 coho salmon, and 1 of whom caught 1 chum salmon. A total of 6 salmon were caught all on #5 Flashtrap Spinners — pink blade was the hot pattern today.
I guided an afternoon group of 3 guests, who caught a total of 4 coho salmon. 2 guests caught their limit of coho, and the remaining guest hooked, but lost one silver salmon. All of the fish were caught on Flashtrap Spinners.
July 30, 2013
I had the day off from guiding trips — however — Greg Acord guided a group of 2 guests that each caught a limit of silver salmon while casting Flashtrap Spinners. After the trip Greg went back out and caught a limit of silver salmon himself.
Flashtrap Spinners — with a day off I was able to deliver a new order of Flashtrap Spinners to 3 Rivers Fly & Tackle in Wasilla. I restocked them with #4 Orange, #5 Orange , #5 Chartreuse , and #5 Silver / Black. They shop also still had #4 Pink, #5 Pink, and #4 Chartreuse spinners. Some of the best artificial lure fishing of the season should occur within the next week on the Little Susitna River, so if you were needing to restock with Flashtrap Spinners you might want to do it soon, before 3 Rivers sells out of the most popular patterns, again.
Little Susitna River bait fishing coming soon — as most Mat-Su Valley salmon anglers know, the Little Susitna River will open to bait fishing on August 6. The past two years this has not occurred, but I talked with Alaska Department of FIsh and Game (ADF&G) manager Sam Ivey today, and he said silver salmon escapement through the Little Susitna River weir is running well this year with the Department looking for about 2500 silvers through the weir by August 6. As of July 29, there was already 2,182 silvers through the weir with more than 100 silvers swimming through the weir for the past 6 days in a row, so bait fishing should open as scheduled in 2013.
ESB Bobbers — We plan to fish Fire Cured salmon eggs under ESB Bobbers as soon as bait is allowed, and our silver salmon harvest rate usually jumps up as soon as that occurs. For private anglers looking to participate in the bait fishing now is a good time to stock up on both cured salmon roe and ESB Bobbers —- both are available at 3 Rivers Fly and Tackle in Wasilla. In addition most Mat-Su Valley stores selling fishing tackle have egg cures or cured salmon roe of several varieties.
July 31, 2013
I guided a morning group of 3 guests, 2 of whom caught a limit of 2 coho salmon, and 1 of whom caught a single coho salmon. All of the fish were caught on #5 Pink Flashtrap Spinners. Probably should blame the guide for everyone not catching a limit this morning as I overslept and got a later than usual start.
I guided an afternoon group of 4 guests, each of whom caught a limit of 2 coho salmon while casting #5 Flashtrap Spinners. The group caught salmon on both the SIlver/Black and Pink bladed spinners. Water remains low, but fishing seemed to be picking up today. I even caught a coho salmon I’m cooking up for dinner this evening — a treat I plan on enjoying very much. I’m scheduled to guide a couple trips tomorrow, the first day of August, and plan to post an update in the evening. Check out our August 2013 Alaska FIshing Reports to learn how we did.