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August Fishing Reports 2021
August is our best month for catching and harvesting coho (silver salmon). We have had more reservations than usual in 2021 — but still have some availability starting August 17 — note please call to discuss availability — 907-746-2199.
August 1, 2021 — I guided a morning group of 3 anglers who caught 2 coho salmon which they kept and a few pink salmon which they released. All of the fish were caught while drifting Fire Cured salmon roe under ESB Bobbers.
I guided an afternoon group of 4 guests to another location and they caught 1 silver salmon on Fire Cured salmon roe and several pink salmon on #3 silver/black Flashtrap Spinners. They ended up harvesting 5 salmon, but could have kept more of the pinks. During the trip we saw some bald eagles. It was very hot and sunny — over 80 degrees in the afternoon.
August 2, 2021 — I guided a morning group of 5 guests, each of whom caught a limit of silver salmon by casting with #5 Flashtrap Spinners. Pink blade was the hot lure. We saw shore birds and ducks during the trip and heard sandhill cranes calling for a couple hours.
I guided an afternoon group of 4 guest, each of whom caught a limit of silver salmon while casting with spinners. All except one salmon was caught on #5 Flashtrap Spinners. One silver salmon was caught on a #5 Vibrax.
August 3, 2021 — I guided a morning group of 4 guests. 2 guests caught a limit of silver (coho) salmon, 1 guest caught 1 silver salmon, and the final guest caught a sockeye salmon. All of the fish were caught on #5 Flashtrap Spinners.
I guided an afternoon group of 3 guests, each of whom caught a list of coho salmon on #5 Flashtrap Spinners.
August 4, 2021 — I guided a morning group of 3 experienced anglers, each of whom caught a limit of coho salmon on #5 Flashtrap Spinners. During the trip we saw a couple beavers along the river.
I guided an afternoon group of 4 guests, 3 of whom caught a limit of coho salmon, and with the remaining guest catching a chum salmon. The chum salmon was caught on a #5 Vibrax Spinner and the coho salmon were caught on #5 Flashtrap Spinners.
August 5, 2021 — I guided a family group of 2 adults and 2 young boys. One of the boys was young enough he did not fish at all. The other boy managed to catch one silver salmon while reeling a #5 Flashtrap Spinner. The mom and dad each caught their limit of silver salmon. One limit was caught on a #5 Flashtrap Spinner and one limit was caught on a #5 Vibrax Spinner.
I guided the same afternoon group of 4 guests who fished with me the previous day. All 4 of them caught a limit of silver rslamon while casting with Spinners. 3 limits were caught on #5 Flashtrap Spinners and 1 limit was caught on a #5 Vibrax Spinner.
August 6, 2021 — First Day of Bait Fishing at Little Susitna River — I guided a morning group of 4 guests, 3 of whom caught limits of silver salmon on Fire Cured salmon roe drifted under ESB Bobbers.
I guided an afternoon group of 4 guests, 3 of whom caught limits of silver salmon and 1 of whom caught a chum salmon. All of the salmon were caught on Fire Cured salmon roe drifted under Bobbers.
August 7, 2021 –– I guided a morning group of 4 guests, each of whom caught a limit of silver (coho) salmon. One guest also caught and released a pink salmon. 3 limits of coho were caught on #5 Flashtrap Spinners and 1 limit of coho was caught on a #5 Vibrax Spinner. During the trip we heard sandhill cranes calling along the river.
We had a cancellation in the afternoon — an Frede kept me off from guiding — so I went grocery shopping, am having the oil changed for my truck, plan to work on boats a bit, and catch up on other chores — before hopefully getting a bit more sleep tonight!
Flashtrap Spinner Delivery — I finally had enough time to delivery an order of salmon-sized spinners to 3 Rivers Fly and Tackle in Wasilla. I delivered almost 500 spinner — sizes 4 and 5 — Pink, Orange, Chartreuse, and Silver blades. I expect they will sell quickly — as it is now peak silver salmon fishing time.
August 8, 2021 — I guided a morning group of 4 guests, each of whom caught a limit of coho salmon while casting with #5 Flashtrap Spinners and a #5 Vibrax Spinner. It was wet, but the salmon were biting well.
I guided an afternoon group of 6 guest, each of whom caught a limit of coho salmon while drifting Fire Cured salmon roe under ESB Bobbers. We fished 4 spots and everyone had a limit. I’m thinking the rain we received today will likely make coho salmon catching better throughout the Mat-Su Valley.
August 9, 2021 — I guided a morning group of 3 guests, each of whom caught a limit of coho salmon by drifting Fire Cured salmon roe under ESB Bobbers. Fishing was fast and furious at the first spot we fished.
I guided an afternoon family group of 6 guest, who caught 7 coho salmon and a few pink salmon by drifting Fire Cured salmon roe under ESB Bobbers. During the trip we saw a bald eagle along the river. Rising and muddy water slowed fishing down in the afternoon.
August 10, 2021 — I guided a company group of 5 people, from Otis Elevator, each of whom caught a limit of coho salmon by casting Flashtrap Spinners and 1 Vibrax Spinner. It was another rainy trip, but everyone was dressed for the weather.
August 11. 2021 — I guided a morning group of 4 guests, each of whom caught a limit of silver salmon while drifting Fire Cured salmon roe under ESB Bobbers.
I guided an afternoon group of 4 guest, and once again each of the caught a limit of silver salmon by drifting Fire Cured salmon roe under ESB Bobbers. The water was the highest level it has been for quite a while.
August 12, 2021 — I guided a morning group of 2 guests who caught coho salmon on Fire Cured salmon roe drifted under ESB Bobbers and by casting with a #5 Virbax Spinner. They also caught a dark king salmon (which was released on Fire Cured salmon roe). Each guest harvested a limit of silver salmon.
I guided an afternoon group of 3 guests, each of whom caught a limit of silver salmon while drifting Fire Cures salmon roe under ESB Bobbers. During the trip I also caught a silver salmon by making one cast with a #5 pink bladed Flashtrap Spinner. At the start of the trip we saw two pairs of sandhill cranes calling and flying over the boat launch area. Along the river we had a good close view of a bald eagle and also saw a pair of trumpeter swans flying low over the river.
August 13, 2021 — I guided a morning group of 3 guests, each of whom caught a limit of coho salmon. Before catching her limit, one guest also caught and released a king salmon. Another guest also caught a rainbow trout and 2 pink salmon before catching his limit of coho salmon. All of the fish except 1 pink salmon were caught by drifting Fire Cured salmon roe under ESB Bobbers. The remaining pink salmon was caught by casting with a #5 Vibrax Spinner. During the trip we saw a bald eagle perched in a tree beside the river.
I guided an afternoon group of 4 guests, each of whom caught a limit of silver salmon. In addition a couple guests also caught pink salmon, and one guest caught 3 chum salmon. All of the salmon were caught by drifting Fire Cured salmon roe under ESB Bobbers. It was a dry day and sunny afternoon — a welcome break from the rain.
Saturday August 14, 2021 — I guided a morning group of 4 guests, each of whom caught a couple coho salmon by drifting Frie Cured salmon roe under ESB Bobbers. One of the fish was hooked in the middle and released. I accidentally counted that salmon we released as one we kept and only found the error after we returned to the landing.
I guided an afternoon group of 6 guests, each of whom caught a limit of coho salmon, and two of whom also caught a pink salmon. All of the fish were caught on Fire Cured salmon roe drifted under ESB Bobbers. During the trip we saw a bald eagle with a small fish along the river.
Sunday August 15, 2021 — I guided a single group of 2 guests today, and they each caught a limit of coho salmon. In addition, one of the guests also caught 2 pink salmon and a chum salmon. They caught fish by drifting Fire Cured salmon roe under ESB Bobbers and by casting with a #5 Flashtrap Spinner and a #5 Vibrax Spinner. It was a cool, but dry morning with a good amount of boat traffic on the river. I expect much less fishing pressure during the coming week.
Monday August 16, 2021 — I guided a morning group of 4 guests, each of whom caught a limit of coho salmon. 1 coho salmon was caught on a #5 Vibrax Spinner and the other 7 coho salmon were caught by drifting Fire Cured salmon roe under ESB Bobbers. One guest also caught a bright chum salmon, and a second guest hooked and fought a 2nd chum salmon to the boat, but lost it before we could unhook and release it. During the trip we saw a bald eagle flying low over the river.
Tuesday August 17, 2021 — I guided a morning group of 2 guests who wanted to cast spinners. They each caught a limit of nice coho salmon by casting #5 Flashtrap and #5 Vibrax Spinners.
I guided an afternoon group of 2 guests and my wife. Each person once again caught a limit of nice coho salmon by casting #5 Flashtrap and #5 Vibrax Spinners. During the trip we saw a couple different bald eagles, green-wing teal, mallard ducks, and merganser ducks.
Wednesday August 18, 2021 — I guided a morning group of 2 guests, each of whom caught a limit of silver salmon. 3 Silvers were harvested by drifting Fire Cured salmon roe under ESB Bobbers and one silver salmon was harvested by casting with a #5 Pink bladed Flashtrap Spinner. . During the trip we had a couple good close views of a bald eagle.
In the afternoon I took my mother, my wife, and a close friend fishing. I also fished. Every one but my wife harvested a limit of silver salmon, and she said we should quit fishing and get home early. 2 of our salmon were caught while drifting Fire Cured salmon roe under ESB Bobbers, while the remaining 5 silvers were caught by casting with #5 Flashtrap Spinners.
Thursday August 19, 2021 — I guided a morning group of 3 guests, each of whom caught a limit of coho salmon by casting with #5 Flashtrap and #5 Vibrax Spinners.
I guided an afternoon group of 3 guests, each of whom caught a limit of coho salmon by drifting Fire Cured salmon roe under ESB Bobbers. During the trip the group saw a bald eagle and several flocks of ducks along the river.
Friday August 20, 2021 — I guided a morning group of 4 guests, each of whom caught a limit of coho salmon. 2 coho were caught casting with spinners and the remaining coho were caught by drifting Fire Cured salmon roe under ESB Bobbers.
I guided an afternoon group of 3 guests, each of whom caught a limit of coho salmon by drifting Fire Cured roe under ESB Bobbers.
Saturday August 21, 2021 — I guided a morning group of 3 guests, each of whom caught a limit of coho salmon. 2 coho salmon were caught but drifting Fire Cured salmon roe under ESB Bobbers and the remaining salmon were caught by casting with #5, #6, and #7 Flashtrap Spinners and #5 Vibrax Spinners.
I guided an afternoon group of 5 guests, 4 of whom caught a limit of coho salmon, and one of whom caught a chum salmon. 1 coho salmon was caught with a #4 Vibrax Spinner and the remaining salmon were caught on Fire Cured salmon roe drifted under ESB Bobbers. The river was rising in the morning an rising sharply in the afternoon.
Sunday August 22, 2021 — I guided a family group of 4 people in the morning, 3 of whom caught a limit of coho salmon and 1 of whom caught a single coho salmon. All of the fish were caught on Fire Cured salmon roe drifted under ESB Bobbers. During the trip we saw a bull moose swimming across the river in front of us. The river was higher than yesterday, but dropping.
I guided an afternoon group of 5 guests, 4 of whom caught a limit of coho salmon and 1 of whom caught a chum salmon and a coho salmon. All of the salmon were caught by drifting Fire Cured salmon roe under ESB Bobbers. The river remained high, but continued to drop slowly in the afternoon.
Monday August 23, 2021 — I guided an afternoon group of 4 guests, each of whom caught a limit of coho salmon by drifting Fire Cured salmon roe under ESB Bobbers. During the trip we saw a bald eagle at the first hole we fished and several ducks along the river. It was a bit rainy, but water looked like it had dropped a bit.
Tuesday August 24, 2021 — I guided a morning group of 5 people, each of whom caught a limit of coho salmon and one of whom also caught a fresh-run sockeye salmon before harvesting her last coho salmon. All of the salmon were caught by drifting Fire Cured salmon roe under ESB Bobbers. Most of the salmon our guests have been catching are developing a rosy blush at this time.
In the afternoon I wrote my Friday fishing column for the Frontiersman Newspaper.
Wednesday August 25, 2021 — I guided a morning group of 5 guests, each of whom caught a limit of coho salmon. One coho salmon was caught on a #5 Vibrax Spinner. All of the other coho salmon were caught by drifting Fire Cured salmon roe under ESB Bobbers. During the trip we saw a bald eagle along the river and some ducks.
I guided 5 anglers in the afternoon, 4 of whom caught a limit of coho salmon, and 1 of whom caught a single coho salmon. All of the fish were caught by drifting Fire Cured salmon roe under ESB Bobbers.
Most of the coho salmon available near Little Susitna River Public Use Facility are now blushed in color. At this point in the season we are planning to run the remaining trips we already have booked, but do not intend to take on any additional 2021 salmon fishing trips.
Thursday August 26, 2021 — I attended and talked briefly at the Mat-Su Salmon Partnership site tour to the Little Susitna River drainage. We did not run a fishing charter today.
Friday August 27, 2021 — I guided a group of 4 guests, each of whom caught a limit of coho salmon. Three guests caught a limit of coho salmon by drifting Fire Cured salmon roe under ESB Bobbers. One guest harvested a salmon by casting a #5 Vibrax Spinner and caught his second salmon by drifting Fire Cured salmon roe under an ESB Bobber. There was heavy rain during the trip, but a good time was had by all.
Saturday August 28, 2021 — I guided a group of 5 guests, each of whom caught a limit of blushed coho salmon. All of the salmon harvested were caught on Fire Cured salmon roe drifted under ESB Bobbers. The river was high and rising today, but I expect the water to peak and start dropping sometime tomorrow — if not sooner.
Sunday August 29, 2021 — I guided a mid-day group of 3 anglers. Two of them caught limits of silver salmon and one caught a single silver salmon. All of the fish were caught on Fire Cured salmon roe drifted under ESB Bobbers. The water was still very high and the Little Susitna River weir was flooded and being removed for the season by Alaska Department of Fish and Game staff. The river should definitely be dropping by tomorrow, but I would expect water will still be very high on the lower river near Little Susitna River Public Use Facility.
Monday August 30, 2021 — I guided an afternoon group of 2 guests, each of whom caught a limit of coho salmon by drifting Fire Cured salmon roe under ESB Bobbers. During the trip we saw a bald eagle and multiple flocks of ducks. The river remained very high, but has started dropping and clearing.
Tuesday August 31, 2021 — I guided an afternoon group of 3 guests, 2 of whom harvested limits of coho salmon and 1 of whom harvested 1 coho salmon. The guests caught a bit better quality fish today, but also released a few coho to keep better ones. During the trip we saw a bald eagle and several ducks.
For our next Alaska Salmon Fishing Report after August 31– please go to our September 2021 Alaska Fishing Reports page.