August Fishing / Coho Salmon Fishing
August is our best month for catching and harvesting coho (silver salmon). Our guided salmon fishing trips are some of the closest available boat charters from Anchorage. We are booking reservations for August 2022 coho salmon fishing trips– with many prime fishing dates still available — NOTE: please call if you experience difficulty finding availability on the dates you would like to fish: 907-746-2199. Sockeye salmon, chum salmon, and pink salmon are also caught on some of our August fishing trips.
What to expect in August updates :
August 10 — 31 — Good Coho salmon catching opportunities with less fishing pressure — as public schools are getting started for another school year, hunting seasons take other sportspeople away from the rivers, the Alaska State Fair starts about August 20, and the busiest season for Alaska summer visitors starts winding down. Want to enjoy a more relaxing time on the river with excellent opportunities to catch silver salmon? Call us at 907-746-2199.
August Fishing Reports 2022
Monday August 29 — I already heard from Greg Acord that the group of 3 people he was guiding for me today had caught their coho salmon.
I am preparing to write my Frontiersman fishing column for the coming week. here are a few tidbits I ‘ve heard. Trout fishing has been good in the Parks Highway tributary streams to the Susitna River — according to Samantha Oslund with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, 3 Rivers Fly & Tackle, and Susitna Landing. 3 Rivers and Susitna Landing also mentioned there has been some decent catches of coho salmon coming for the Parks Highway streams, while Oslund mentioned the timing being consistent with good coho salmon opportunities at Sunshine Creek or the Talkeetna River drainage. Olsund also mentioned hearing about some good early morning catches of coho salmon coming from Eklutna Tailrace. Gene Sandone told me he had some decent coho salmon action and bright chrome fish from Fish Creek near Knik-Goose Bay Road this past Saturday.
For anyone interested we have suspended all charter availability for the remainder of the coho salmon season as I isolate and am already starting to feel better after testing positive for COVID this past Saturday.
Sunday August 28 — Greg Acord and Dan Suprak guided a large two-boat group of anglers who selectively harvested 16 coho salmon and also caught and released a few rainbow trout.
I spent the day at home working on the phone and rescheduling or canceling / refunding several salmon trips I will not be guiding.
Saturday August 27, 2022 — I guided a group of 3 guests, each of whom caught a limit of coho salmon, but they only kept one coho per person. Everyone had their picture taken with a cow they had caught. All of the salmon were caught by fishing Fire Cured salmon roe under ESB Bobbers. During the trip we saw, ducks, ravens, and a bald eagle along the river. I was feeling somewhat under the weather when I got home from the trip, so after nap, I took an at home COVID-19 test. The result was positive — so I called some past groups I had guided and let them know about my COVID status, and I be will taking a break from guiding for an uncertain amount of time.
Friday August 26, 2022 — I guided a morning group of 4 guests, each of whom caught a limit of coho salmon by fishing salmon roe cured with Pautzke’s Fire Cure under ESB Bobbers. During the trip we saw a few merganser ducks, and several other boats out along the river.
Thursday August 25, 2022 — I guided a group of 4 men, each of whom caught a limit of coho salmon by fishing Fire Cured salmon roe under ESB Bobbers. There were quite a few more boaters out on the river today, and the only wildlife we saw was our usual plethora of ducks and some ravens.
Wednesday August 24, 2022 — I guided a morning group of 4 guests, who caught and harvested 7 coho salmon while fishing Fire Cured salmon roe under ESB Bobbers. During the trip the group saw 3 beavers, 2 bald eagles, and plenty of ducks salmon the river. 2 members of the group saw a moose along the road on their drive to the boat launch.
Tuesday August 23, 2022 — I participated in the Mat-Su Basin Salmon Habitat Partnership site tour to Deshka River as a boat operator, presenter, and participant. It was a good time with lots of people that have an interest in Mat-Su salmon and the habitat that supports their lifecycle.
Monday August 22, 2022 — I guided a morning group of 5 guests, each of whom caught a limit of coho salmon by fishing Fire Cured salmon roe under ESB Bobbers. the river remained high and muddy with rain run off, and we fished several spots searching for bites. My guests were good job at hooking the bites they got and keeping the lines tight so the fish could not shake loose. During the trip we saw ducks along the river– and my guests saw a moose in the morning while driving to the river.
Sunday August 21, 2022 –– I guided a morning group of 4 guests, each of whom caught a limit of coho salmon by casting Fire Cured salmon roe under ESB Bobbers. During the trip we saw a flock of cranes and several groups of ducks.
Saturday August 20, 2022 — I guided a group of 4 guests, including a youth who caught his first salmon. My guests fished Fire Cured salmon roe under ESB Bobbers and caught 3 coho salmon. Water was rising and muddier, but my guests fished well and managed to catch some fish and hook several salmon that did not make it to the boat. The group worked well together,
I guided an afternoon group of 5 guests visiting Alaska for a wedding and they caught 5 coho salmon on Fire Cured salmon roe under ESB Bobbers. It was a fun and enjoyable trip.
Friday August 19, 2022 — I guided a group of 3 experienced salmon anglers, who made short work of each harvesting a limit by fishing Fire Cured salmon roe under ESB Bobbers. The water had risen a bit from the rain the past couple days, but there was salmon in some of the normal spots.
Thursday August 18, 2022 — I guided one group of 5 anglers, each of whom caught a limit of coho salmon while drifting Fire Cured salmon roe under ESB Bobbers. During the trip we saw a couple bald eagles perched beside the river.
Wednesday August 17, 2022 — I guided a morning group of 5 guests, each whom caught a limit of coho salmon by drifting Fire Cured salmon roe under ESB Bobbers.
I guided an afternoon group of 4 guests, each of whom caught a limit of coho salmon on Fire Cured salmon roe fished under ESB Bobbers.
Tuesday August 16, 2022 — I guided a morning group of 4 men, each of whom caught a limit of coho salmon on Fire Cured salmon roe drifted under ESB Bobbers.
I guided an afternoon group of 4 people including one youth, who caught 7 coho salmon, a couple pink salmon, and two chum salmon on Fire Cured salmon roe drifted under Esb bobbers.
Monday August 15, 2022 — I guided morning group of 4 guests, each of who caught a limit of coho salmon. All of the fish except one were caught on Fire Cured salmon roe drifted under ESB Bobbers. The remaining coho salmon was caught by casting with a #5 Flashtrap Spinner with a silver blade.
I guided an afternoon group of 4 guests who fished lots of water and presented well enough to get some bites, but only harvested one coho salmon on Fire Cured salmon roe drifted under ESB bobbers. Each of the young boys managed to hook a coho salmon — one of which was harvested. During the trip a couple pink salmon and a chum salmon were also caught.
Sunday August 14, 2022 — I guided a morning group of 4 guests inducing to young boys who each harvested a limit of coho salmon fishing with Fire Cured salmon roe under ESB Bobbers.
I guided an afternoon group of 2 guests, including one youth who each harvested a limit of coho salmon on Fire Cured salmon roe drifted under ESB Bobbers.
Saturday August 13, 2022 — I guided a mid-day group of 4 anglers who fished lots of spots for the entire trip, and managed to harvest 3 coho salmon on Fire Cured salmon roe drifted under ESB Bobbers. During the trip we saw a bald eagle along the river and plenty of other anglers out looking for coho salmon.
LS USGS — dropping to 600 cfs upper river. NOAA — dropping below 18.9 ft.
August 12, 2022 — I guided a morning group of 4 guests, each of whom caught a limit of coho salmon on Fire Cured salmon roe drifted under ESB bobbers. While I was filleting the salmon my guests were watching a bald eagle.
I guided an afternoon group of 4 guests, each of whom also caught a limit of coho salmon by drifting Fire Cured salmon roe under ESB Bobbers. We go t wet today, but it was a wonderful day for catching salmon.
LS USGS — dropping below 800 cfs upper river. NOAA — dropping below 19 ft. by 8 p.m.
August 11, 2022 — I went on a scout fishing trip with my wife and she caught one silver salmon on Fire Cured salmon roe drifted under an ESB Bobber. That was the only fish we hooked and we did not see any salmon surfacing in the locations were scouting.
LS USGS — dropping to 1000 cfs upper river by midnight.. NOAA — dropping to 19.4 ft.
August 10, 2022 — I guided a group of 5 guests who caught 3 coho salmon and 1 chum salmon by fishing Fire Cured salmon roe under ESB Bobbers. During the trip we saw a couple different bald eagles and an otter swimming along the edge of the river. Water continued to rise in the lower river today.
LS USGS — starting about 3000 cfs then dropping. NOAA — dropping to 21 ft. by 8 p.m.
August 9, 2022 — guided group of 4 guests, who caught 7 coho salmon along with a few chum salmon and pink salmon by drifting Fire Cured salmon roe under ESB bobbers. During the trip we saw a bald eagle.
I guided an afternoon group of 3 guests who caught a couple chum salmon and a couple pink salmon, but could not get any coho salmon. All of the fish were caught on Fire Cured salmon roe drifted under ESB bobbers. The river continued to rise throughout the day. During the trip we saw apart of bald eagles perched in the same tree along the river.
LS USGS — peaking at 4000 cfs. upper river then dropping. NOAA — peaking at 22.3 ft.
August 8, 2022 — I guided a morning group of 5 guests , each of whom caught a limit of coho salmon by drifting Fire Cured salmon roe under ESB bobbers. 3 guests also caught a chum salmon before harvesting their coho salmon limit, and they also caught and released a few pink salmon. During the trip we saw a bald eagle near the river land one of the guests also spotted a cow and calf moose crossing the river just above where they were fishing.
I guided an afternoon group of 5 guests, each of whom caught a limit of coho salmon — in addition they also caught and released a few pink salmon before harvesting their limits of coho salmon. All of the fish were caught on Fire Cured salmon roe drifted under ESB Bobbers.
The lower river was high today, but may go up dramatically tomorrow.
LS USGS — 1500 cfs. rising to 3500 cfs. upper river.. NOAA — rising to 21.5 ft by 8 p.m.
August 7, 2022 — I guided a group of 4 adults on an 8 hour trip who caught 7 coho salmon and also caught and released some pink salmon. All of the coho salmon were caught on Fire Cured salmon roe fished under ESB Bobbers. Some pink salmon were caught on the bobbers and bait and a few were also caught on a #5 Flashtrap spinner. Water in the lower river was still rising during today’s trip. With rain forecasted for the next several days, the water level will likely remain higher than normal for a while. My group fished several spots before catching their first fish today, so the longer than normal trip called them to harvest more fish.
LS USGS — 600 cfs. upper river, then rising. NOAA — rising to 20.25 ft.
August 6 — I guided a family group of 3 guests, each of whom caught a limit of coho salmon on groups of anglers fishing on the opening day for B Fire Cured salmon roe drifted under ESB Bobbers, Bobbers down — Fish On! During the trip we saw two families of ducks and many groups of anglers trying their luck on the opening day for bait on the river.
I guided an afternoon group of 4 guests, who pulled in limits of coho salmon fishing Fire Cured salmon below ESB Bobbers. Did I mention how much I love fishing Fire Cured Roe under ESB Bobbers? During the trip we saw many groups of anglers out having fun on a beautiful river. The river was rising quickly from yesterday’s heavy rain, so conditions will likely change significantly by tomorrow.
LS USGS — 1300 dropping to 700 cfs. upper river. NOAA — rising to 19.8 ft.
Augusts 5, 2022 — I guided a morning group of 4 people who caught several chum salmon and pink salmon and harvested 4 coho salmon. All of the salmon were caught casting with #5 Flashtrap Spinners and a #4 and #5 Vibrax Spinner.
I guided an afternoon group of 4 guests who caught 6 coho salmon and a couple pink salmon. Most of the fish were caught casting with #5 Flashtrap Spinners, but one coho salmon was caught on a #5 Vibrax Spinner. During the trip they saw kingfishers, ducks, and a moose along the river.
LS USGS — rising t0 1100 cfs. upper river. NOAA — rising to 19.5 ft.
August 4, 2022 — I guided a morning group of 3 adults who brought along a young boy and girl. They caught 4 coho salmon on #5 Flashtrap Spinners. During the trip they spotted a bull moose and ducks along the river.
I guided an afternoon family of 4 who wanted to catch salmon, but were on an extended vacation and did not want to keep salmon. So we targeted chum and pink salmon, and they caught some of both species and also hooked, but lost one coho salmon. All of the fish were caught on #5 Flashtrap and a #4 Vibrax Spinner. During the trip they saw ducks, a bald eagle, and a moose that was wading across the river.
LS USGS — 290 cfs. upper river. NOAA — 17.9 ft.
August 3, 2022 — I guided a morning group of 3 men who wanted to harvest coho salmon, but also wanted to fish most of their trip and not necessarily quit early. So I took them to places where we expected to catch pink, chum, and some coho salmon. They caught lots of pink and chum salmon, and ended up catching 4 coho salmon as well. They caught all of their salmon while casting #5 Flashtrap Spinners.
I guided an afternoon group of 4 guests who wanted to focus on catching coho salmon, so we fished where I thought we might find a solid abundance of coho salmon. We did not find many fish in the afternoon, however, they did catch 4 coho salmon and lhooked but lost another couple. They also caught a couple pink salmon. All of the fish were once again caught on #5 Flashtrap Spinners.
LS USGS — 320 cfs. upper river. NOAA — 17.9 ft.
August 2, 2022 — I guided a group fo 5 experienced anglers in the morning, and they made me look good by each harvesting a limit of silver salmon. aThe also caught and released quite a few pink salmon. All of the silver salmon were caught while casting with #5 Flashtrap Spinners or with a #6 orange Magnum Spinner. During he trip we saw a weasel running back and forth along a small beach area along the river.
I guided an afternoon group of 4 guests who casted #5 Flashtrap Spinners and a #6 Magnum Spinner, catching 5 coho salmon and a plethora of pink salmon. We saw shorebirds and ducks along the river. The river level did not seem to rise today.
LS USGS — 340 cfs. upper river. NOAA — 17.9 ft.
August 1, 2022 — I guided a group of 3 guests who wanted to fish and catch as many salmon as possible, so we fished areas where we expected to catch predominately pink and chum salmon. Casting with #5 Flashtrap Spinners they caught mostly pink salmon, several chum salmon, and finished harvesting 5 coho salmon. During the trip they saw a moose, a bald eagle, shorebirds, and ducks along the river. –It rained all day long and we expect the river to start rising.–
LS USGS — 330 cfs. upper river. NOAA — 17.7 ft.