July, August, and early September 2019 will be our main opportunities to harvest ocean-run salmon. King salmon fishing is now open through July 13 on Little Susitna River — although fishing for king salmon could best be described as slow. We will also be targeting chum salmon and silver (coho) salmon in early July. As the month progresses the number of inriver silver salmon and chum salmon builds dramatically. Chum salmon numbers are often at peak abundance from mid-July through the first week of August. Silver salmon abundance peaks during the last week of July and the whole month of August. In addition some pink salmon and sockeye salmon are also caught in July and August. We guide trips to Little Susitna River, and also to Susitna River drainage tributary streams. Depending upon time and location we fish both our homemade Flashtrap Spinners and salmon roe. Scroll down to read the Alaska fishing reports for July 2019 Fishtale River Guides trips.
July 1, 2019 — I guided an afternoon group of 4 guests, 1 of whom caught a king salmon while casting with a #5 Flashtrap Spinner. At another hole a guest hooked a rainbow trout, but lost it while fighting it toward the boat. As far as I know those were the only bites any of the guests had — even though we fished lots of great holes. During the trip we saw some bald eagles and some other anglers along the river.
Tuesday July 2, 2019 — I guided a group of 5 guests, who caught 1 king salmon and 2 jack king salmon. 3 different people caught 1 fish each. The king salmon was caught on a Mag Lip Flatfish and the 2 jack king salmon were caught on #5 Flashtrap Spinners. During the trip we saw a moose near the river and some bald eagles. We also heard the eagles calling at a few different locations along the river. Water level dropped slightly but remains muddy in color.
July 3 — I guided a group of 4 guests, 1 of whom caught a king salmon and 1 of whom caught a jack king salmon. Both fish were caught while casting with #5 Flashtrap Spinners. During the trip we saw several bald eagles and were also treated to seeing a pair of river otters eating a large king salmon along the riverbank. Weather remains hot and water continues to drop.
July 4 — I guided a morning group of 6 guests, and we did not catch a fish. One guest hooked a rainbow trout and what looked like a jack king salmon, but lost both of the before bringing them to the boat. Both fish were hooked while casting a #5 Flashtrap Spinner. Water level is getting low and clearer. During the trip we saw some bald eagles.
I guided an afternoon group of 4 guests and they spent the entire trip casting #5 Flashtrap Spinners, but did not hook a single fish. During the entire trip I saw one salmon break the water’s surface. It was clear and hot today. During the trip we saw 2 moose and a calf cooling off down in the river. We also saw some bald eagles.
Friday July 5, 2019 — I guided a group of 4 guests, 2 of whom caught a small king salmon in addition 1 guest also caught a jack king salmon. The jack was caught on a #5 Flashtrap Spinner and the 2 kings were caught on Kwikfish. During the trip we saw some bald eagles, ducks, shorebirds, and a beaver. It was a pleasant and beautiful morning.
Saturday July 6, 2019 — I guided a morning group of 4 guests who diligently fished the entire trip, but the only fish we caught was a king salmon hooked in the back — so we turned it loose. During the trip we saw some bald eagles and a moose.
I guided an afternoon group of 4 guests, who once again did a good job of fishing, but only caught a rainbow trout. The trout was caught on a Mag Lip Flatfish, and one other small fish was also hooked on the same lure. during the afternoon trip we saw a bald eagle and had a moose cross the river in front of out boat. It has been so hot that it seems like the moose are coming down to the river to get wet and cool off.
Sunday July 7, 2019 — I guided a group of 2 guests in the morning, 1 of whom caught a king salmon on a Kwikfish. During the trip we saw a moose, a mink, and 2 bald eagles very close up. This trip was a good start to another hot July day.
Monday July 8, 2019 — I guided a fun group of 6 guests, and although we covered miles of river and lots of holes my guests did not manage to hook a salmon. During the trip we saw bald eagles and a moose along the river along with several other birds. Driving to the river before the trip in the morning I saw 3 moose and a fox along the road.
Tuesday July 9, 2019 — I had a day off from guiding and drove my wife into Anchorage to stock up on some supplies. Mike Hudson with 3 Rivers Fly & Tackle ordered some of our Flashtrap Spinners preparing for July / August salmon fishing for chum salmon, silver salmon, and pink salmon. I plan to deliver the spinners on Wednesday (tomorrow) — there will be a limited supply of pink blade, orange blade, chartreuse blade, and silver/black patterns. You may call 3 Rivers Fly & Tackle at (907) 373-5434.
Wednesday July 10, 2019 –In the morning I finished building Flashtrap Spinners and delivered them to 3 Rivers Fly & Tackle in Wasilla. During the afternoon I wrote my weekly Friday fishing column for the Frontiersman Newspaper.
Thursday July 11, 2019 — I guided a group of 3 guests, 1 of whom caught a king salmon while casting with a #5 Silver / Black Flashtrap Spinner. During the trip we saw some bald eagles, and a moose along the river. Water level was the lowest it has been this month. It was a fairly quiet day on the river.
Available for reservations — call 907-746-2199 Only 2 full days of king salmon fishing remain for the season on Little Susitna River (Friday and Saturday) There are a few king salmon left in the lower river — the first 17 chum salmon and 1 silver salmon have already swum through the weir. In addition the first 250 pink salmon have also swum upstream of the weir. Recent fishing for several days has been mostly a tour of the river — stopping to fish several good spots, spotting wildlife, and sometimes hooking a salmon or two during the trip — call 907-746-2199 from more information or to make a reservation.
Friday July 12, 2019 — First Silver (Coho) and First Pink Salmon Caught I guided a morning group of 2 guests, who caught 2 silver salmon and 2 pink salmon. All of the fish were caught casting #5 silver /black or #5 pink blade Flashtrap Spinners. During the trip we saw 2 moose along the river.
I guided an afternoon group of 2 guests who caught 1 king salmon and 1 silver salmon. Both fish were caught on a #5 silver / black Flashtrap Spinner. During the trip we saw one moose along the river.
Saturday July 13, 2019 — Last Day of King Salmon Season on Little Susitna River. First Chum Salmon Caught. I guided a group of 4 people each of whom caught at least one salmon. They caught 1 king salmon, 1 chum salmon, 4 silver salmon, and 3 pink salmon. All of the fish were caught casting with #5 Flashtrap Spinners in either pink blade or silver/black patterns. During the trip we saw 2 mature bald eagles very close along the river. Water is very low.
Sunday July 14, 2019 — Bait opener for many waters of the Susitna River Drainage — NOTE: Artificial lures only on Little Su through August 5.
No charters scheduled today — so I took the day off from fishing.
Monday July 15, 2019 — I guided a group of 3 people each of whom caught several pink salmon, and 1 caught a chum salmon in addition 2 of the 3 guests caught limits of silver salmon. All of the fish were caught on #5 silver / black or #5 Pink blade Flashtrap Spinners. During the trip we saw a moose and a bald eagles.
Tuesday July 16, 2019 — I guided a morning group of 2 guests, each of whom caught a limit of silver salmon on #5 Flashtrap Spinners. One guest also caught some pink salmon on the same lures. During the trip we saw some beavers and a loon.
I guided an afternoon group of 3 guests, each of whom caught 1 silver salmon on Flashtrap Spinners. One of the guests also caught a rainbow trout.
Wednesday July 17, 2019 — I guided a fun family group of 5 guests from Minnesota — all of whom could cast very well. Each member of the group hooked at least one silver salmon, but we only managed to land 3 of them. During the trip the group also hooked two or three rainbow trout and spotted a moose along the river. All of our salmon were caught on Flashtrap Spinners. Orange Blade, Chartreuse Blade, and Silver/ Black all caught a silver salmon.
Thursday July 18, 2019 — Our guided group had to reschedule their trip, because of medical reasons, so I’ve been spending the day doing maintenance — including getting my younger brother over to do some work on my boat trailer and running to several businesses for items that were not in stock all in one place. I had the oil changed and my truck inspected yesterday afternoon. I still have a ways to go this evening, but should be good to go on the next charter tomorrow. Water continues to drop on Little Susitna River — and I’ve already been scraping my shallow running guide boat in places I normally run over with no problem.
Friday July 19, 2019 — I guided 4 guests in the morning who caught 5 silver salmon and several pink salmon. All of the fish were caught on Flashtrap Spinners with silver/black producing most of the fish.
I guided 4 guests in the afternoon and one guest caught a silver salmon. Despite covering several miles of river the group only hooked 1 additional salmon which was lost. Near the end of the trip we saw some small group of salmon. It was a hot sunny afternoon — some cooler or even rainy weather would definitely help the fishing by making water levels and temperatures more salmon friendly on several Mat-Su streams.
Saturday July 20, 2019 — I am taking a day off from fishing, but will be getting gear and boats better prepared for additional trips.
Sunday July 21 — I guided a morning group of 3 guests who caught 1 silver salmon, 1 chum salmon, and 2 pink salmon. All of the fish were caught while casting with #5 Flashtrap Spinners. During the trip we saw 3 moose and a loon along the river. We saw a few salmon surfacing in the morning.
I guided an afternoon group of 3 guests, one of whom hooked a silver salmon that jumped beside the boat before throwing the hook. That was the only fish my group hooked the entire trip. I only saw 1 salmon surface during the afternoon trip. We did see a pair of mature bald eagles sitting together on a spruce tree perch overlooking the river.
Monday July 22, 2019 — I guided a group of 3 guests who caught 3 silver salmon and several pink salmon. Most of the salmon were caught on a #4 silver / black Flashtrap Spinner, but a couple salmon were also caught on #5 Flashtrap Spinners. During the trip we saw 2 moose along the river. The water level continues to drop. The run is still building, so we anticipate silver salmon catching will continue to improve — a good rain and a rise in river water level would help as well.
Tuesday July 23, 2019 — I guided a morning group of 5 guests who caught 3 silver salmon and 1 chum salmon while casting with Flashtrap Spinners. Silver / black was the to pattern. During the trip we saw a couple bald eagles and lots of shorebirds. Water continues to drop and I’m bumping bottom in a few places if I’m not extra careful.
RAIN!!! — We are finally getting a good soaking rain in the Palmer area — I’m thinking with a rise in water level and a drop in water temperature this fishery is about to take off.
Wednesday July 24, 2019 — I did not have a regular trip today so I fished with one other person on the Knik River looking for silver salmon. We did not get any silver salmon, but did managed to catch a couple sockeye salmon. One was foul hooked so we turned it loose, but the other was hooked in the mouth with a Flashtrap Spinner, so we kept him. While fishing we saw a bald eagle along the river.
Thursday July 25, 2019 — I guided a group of 3 guests who caught 5 silver salmon, 2 chum salmon, 1 king salmon jack, and some pink salmon. All of their fish were caught on #4 and #5 Flashtrap Spinners. During the trip we saw a bald eagle and heard a loon calling. Water was up a bit and cooler from yesterday’s rain. Weather was nice during our trip.
Friday July 26, 2019 — I guided a morning group of 2 guests who harvested 3 silver salmon and also caught several chum salmon and pink salmon. All of the fish were caught on #4 and #5 Flashtrap Spinners. During the trip we saw a bald eagle and a young moose.
I guided an afternoon group of 3 guests, 1 of whom harvested 2 chum salmon and 1 silver salmon. All of the fish were caught on Flashtrap Spinners.
Saturday July 27, 2019 — I guided a fun morning group of 4 guests (3 different small parties who helped each other out the whole trip). Each guest harvested a limit of salmon. 3 guests harvested limits of silver salmon and 1 guest harvested a silver salmon, a chum salmon, and a pink salmon. All of the fish were caught on #4 and #5 silver bladed Flashtrap Spinners. During the trip we saw a young moose along the river and the guests were able to get pictures. It was a wet morning, and the salmon were likely biting better because of it.
Sunday July 28,2019 — I guided a morning group of 4 guests, who harvested 5 silver salmon and 5 chum salmon and also released some pink salmon and a chum salmon. All of the fish were caught on #4 and #5 Flashtrap Spinners. During the trip we saw a bald eagle and some ducks.
I guided an afternoon group of 2 guests who harvested 2 silver salmon and 2 chum salmon, and also released 2 pink salmon and 2 chum salmon. All of the fish were caught on #4 and #5 Flashtrap Spinners. During the trip we saw some bald eagles and lots of other anglers out fishing and catching.
Monday July 29, 2019 — I guided a morning group of 4 guests, each of whom caught a limit of silver salmon while casting with Flashtrap Spinners. During the trip we saw some mink at one of the holes we were fishing. We also heard sandhill cranes calling in the distance.
I guided an afternoon group of 6 who caught a silver salmon, a couple chum salmon, and a couple pink salmon while casting with Flashtrap Spinners.
Tuesday July 30, 2019 — I guided a group of 4 guests, 3 of whom caught a limit of silver salmon, and 1 of whom caught 1 silver salmon. All of the fish were caught casting with Flashtrap Spinners. We caught salmon primarily on #5 silver and #5 orange blade patterns. We fished several miles of river and several good spots. During the trip we saw a mink on the edge of the river and also swimming out in the water near our boat. We also saw a loon.
Wednesday July 31 — Boats are Full — I guided a morning group of 5 guests, 3 of whom caught limits of silver salmon, and 2 of whom caught 1 silver salmon each, in addition the group caught some chum salmon and some pink salmon. All of the fish were caught on #4 and #5 Flashtrap Spinners.
I guided an afternoon group of 4 guests, 1 of whom harvested a limit of silver salmon, and 3 of whom harvested 1 silver salmon each. In addition some of the guests harvested chum salmon, and they also caught and released a few pink salmon. Most of the afternoon salmon were caught on #3 Flashtrap Spinners and a few were caught on #4 Flashtrap Spinners. During the trip we saw a bald eagle near the river.
We still have morning and afternoon individual seats and/ or guide boats available in August, and early September . Call 907-746-2199 for reservation information or make your reservation online at this website.
This concludes our July 2019 Alaska Fishing Reports — for our next fishing report update see our August 2019 Alaska Fishing Reports Page.