We fish for Alaska silver silver salmon within a 90 minute drive from Anchorage during September. On some years there can be good numbers of chrome silver salmon with sea lice in the lower Little Susitna River in early September. Our silver salmon seemed to arrive early during the 2018 season, and while we have been catching silver salmon throughout the entire month of August, by September 1, most of the salmon are now darker in color as they continue their spawning migration. We will be fishing into September primarily by drifting salmon roe cured with Pautzke’s Fire Cure or by casting our own Flashtrap Spinners. Feel welcome to bookmark this page for easy referral if you would like to read additional reports about our guided Alaska salmon fishing trips during September 2018.
Saturday September 1 , 2018 — The water level in the lower river popped back up this morning following Thursday’s rain in the mountains. I guided a morning group of 4 guests who caught 3 silver salmon and hooked but lost a few other silver salmon. All of their fish were caught on Fire Cured salmon roe drifted under ESB Bobbers, although they also hooked two fish on #5 Flashtrap Spinners. During the trip we saw a bald eagles and 3 river otters.
Greg Acord guided a group of 2 guests who caught 4 silver salmon.
Sunday September 2, 2018 — I guided a group of 4 guests who caught 8 silver salmon while drifting Fire Cured salmon roe under ESB Bobbers. The river was still high, but starting to drop today. There were a good number of other anglers out fishing on the weekend. Beautiful sunny weather. During the trip we saw a bald eagle and some ducks.
Monday September 3 — Greg Acord guided a group of 3 guests who caught about 10 silver salmon while fishing Fire Cured salmon roe under ESB Bobbers and behind a jet diver.
Tuesday September 4, 2018 — I guided a group of 4 guests who caught about a dozen silver salmon and kept 5 of the better ones. Two guests also caught one nice fat rainbow trout each. All of the fish were caught by drifting Fire Cured salmon roe under ESB Bobbers. The river continues to drop, but still remained higher than normal in the lower river.
Wednesday September 6, 2018 — I guided a group of 2 guests, who caught 11 silver salmon and 1 rainbow trout. The salmon were getting dark enough that we did not want to keep any of them. One salmon was caught casting a #5 Flashtrap Spinner and the other fish were all caught by drifting Fire Cured salmon roe under ESB Bobbers. During the trip we saw a bald eagle and some ducks.
Thursday September 7 — I guided a group of 2 guests, and each of them caught multiple silver salmon on Fire Cured salmon roe drifted under ESB Bobbers. They keep two of the better salmon. During the trip we saw some merganser ducks and some king fishers.
Saturday September 8– Frede and I drove to Susitna Landing and attended the retirement party for Joe and Marilynn Rouswell who will be moving out on the first day of October. Joe and Marilynn have done a wonderful job operating and maintaining Susitna Landing. They will be missed — hopefully the Alaska Department of Fish and Game can contract new operators who will keep up the good work at Susitna Landing.
On the drive home we swung by Deshka Landing and I pulled most of my fishing gear from this location for the season.
Tuesday September 11, 2018 — I guided a group of 2 guests who had a good trip catching silver salmon on Fire Cured salmon roe drifted under ESB Bobbers and while casting and retrieving #5 Flashtrap Spinners. #5 Pink blade and #5 Silver / Black spinner patterns produced several silver salmon for each guests. My guests released all of their salmon on this trip. This was my last guided salmon fishing trip of the 2018 season.
Please Continue Scrolling down for further September Report Updates.
Wednesday September 12, 2018 — I went moose hunting with Mark Couch, my older brother, who won an antler less moose drawing permit for this season. We saw two antlerless moose during the outing, however, both of them were in areas where my brother was not allowed to harvest them. We also saw lots of ducks, and I saw a beaver and a couple river otters.
September 13, 2018 — I was moose hunting with Mark Couch and he had the opportunity to harvest a legal antlerless moose. We spent the rest of the morning butchering and packing my brother’s young moose. While cutting up the moose we saw a flock of about 25 geese flying nearby. From the size of his moose, we both figured he must have shot a yearling — not near as large as an older moose, however large enough to provide plenty of fine meals.
Friday September 14, 2018 — We spent most of the day cutting, grinding, and freezer wrapping my brother’s moose. My wife also cooked up half of the ribs, some of which we had for dinner. Ben Allen of Miller’s Riverboat Service forwarded a letter he had sent to several Alaska Department of Fish and Game personnel along with several local Alaska politicians talking about the good silver salmon season his guide business had enjoyed during 2018 and expressing his thoughts on how such fishing could be maintained for the future.
Tuesday September 18, 2018 — I drove into Anchorage to attend the first Alaska Sportfishing Association meeting of the fall. It was a good opportunity to network with some people I had little opportunity to talk with during the summer. If you would like to get involved call President Dustin Slinker at 907-522-3474.
Wednesday September 19, 2018 — After several days of figuring I Ordered Parts To Build 20 Custom Fishing Rods during the fast approaching Fall / Winter. I also ordered or made sure I had the rod building supplies to rebuild or repair a dozen more fishing rods that need work after our shortened May – June king salmon fishery and a busy July, August, and early September of guiding chum and silver salmon guests.
Thursday September 20, 2018 — I participated in the first Mat-Su Borough Fish and Wildlife Commission Meeting of the fall. The Commission is developing questions to ask Alaska Department of Fish and Game staff during the Fishing Season summary annual public meeting we like to hold with Alaska Department of Fish and Game Staff. The meeting will likely be scheduled for late October or early November.
Additional Projects for September/ early October: 1. More moose hunting. 2. Plan to make some website updates. 3. Need to clean, service, and weatherize boats and motors for the winter. 4. Sorting and Storing Fishing Gear. 5. Additional Tackle Repairs – Lure Building, Hook Tieing.
September 21 — 22 Moose hunt — brief but successful. Lots of wind and rain. We only saw one moose, but it was a legal young bull which we harvested. During the trip we saw plenty of bald eagles, ducks, and other moose hunters.
September 23 — 2nd moose cutting party. I also made a trip to Little Susitna River to assist some overdue hunters. They had their motor in operating condition by the time I arrived and the trip back upriver was mostly uneventful. Little Susitna River was low and clear — and I there were several vehicles with trailers in the parking lot. Along the river I saw one angler fishing with a fly rod — water conditions looked great for looking for trout in the lower river, however, I expect the water will be coming up again following the recent rain run off that should be reaching the lower river shortly.
For those looking for guided fishing during October 2018 in the Mat-Su Valley I suggest contacting the following individuals:
Rainbow Trout and Arctic Grayling in streams near Willow, Alaska— call Spencer Cook of Red Beard Anglers at 357-0131. Spencer provides full day trout trips and teaches fly fishing techniques. Quality tackle provided.
Rainbow trout, Arctic Char, Lake trout, Northern Pike in lakes — Call Jason Perrego with Alaska Lakes Guide Service 254-291-1516. Jason specializes in catch and release fishing for large fish, but also provides catch and keep trips to specific lakes. Fishing gear provided.
At Fishtale River Guides — We are taking reservations for our 2019 Alaska salmon fishing season. We currently have availability on all May, June, July, August, and early September dates. At this point king salmon fishing regulations for May, June and early July have not yet been determined — we will attempt to post updates as soon as we know — the Alaska Department of Fish and Game expects to have them out by November. Feel welcome to call us if you would like to discuss 2019 salmon fishing options. 907-746-2199.