September Kings

Salmon fishing this fall has been a little more work than we are used to.  We have been catching fish every day but the number of fish is nowhere near what we had last year.  We have pretty much been sticking with fishing eggs under floats to put fish in the boat.  The up side to things is slower fishing means less boat traffic and with Michigan's archery season opening Wednesday there should be even less fishing pressure.  There are a few random Steelhead being caught in some rivers especially to the north and we will be after them as soon as numbers increase.  Bright sunny days and mid to high 70 degree weather for the last week plus has not been what we need to get whatever push of kings may be waiting to come but it is windy and raining as I type so it could still get good.  Below are a couple pictures of Kings we have put in the net over the last week or so since my last report.

This was a crazy looking fish

Michigan King Salmon

We are back in Michigan and on the river chasing King Salmon.  We have been primarily float fishing eggs the last few days but have hit a few fish casting crank baits as well.  The fishing is by no means "on fire" but we are hooking a decent number of fish each day.  Boat traffic has been light most likely due to slower fishing than everyone is used to.  The fish are fighting hard and looking for cover so a heavy drag and good leader has been the only way to put them in the net.  Most rivers should have fishable numbers within the next week which should keep any one spot from getting too congested with boat traffic.  Openings are on the lighter side but if you are looking to get out for Kings or Steelhead this fall don't wait any longer to get a day booked.  Here are a few pictures from the last couple days.

September

Well it's September already!!  Fishing on the rivers of South West Alaska had been outstanding, the silvers showed up in huge numbers in every river we fish this year making for easy scheduling and happy fishermen.  I will be headed back to Michigan in 1 week and start King Salmon trips on the 15th of September.  Openings are very limited but for anyone interested in hitting the river for Michigan Kings I have some days available for 4 or 5 hr evening trips.  Steelhead dates are almost gone as well so don't wait any longer, I have 1 boat available due to cancellation on October 13, 14, 15, 17, 19 and 20 which are great dates also November 20, 24, 26 and 30 are available.  Reports of big Steelhead are coming from Lake Michigan again this summer so hopefully we will have a repeat of last fall with numerous fish weighing in the mid to upper teens.  I have been on and off the water up here with a bad knee so pictures of me on crutches are not as much fun as fish but here are a couple.

A couple Goodnews River Coho.

Topwater action on the Togiak.

Almost August

Wow have I been slacking on the reports this summer!!  It's been a busy one and I have a lot more on my plate with the Head Guide title.  Fishing has been pretty good overall, water levels are ultra low across Bristol Bay due to a lack of snow pack this winter, add a warm sunny summer with very little rain and the fish run out of places to hide.  The King run has been slower than normal because of this, we are still catching them but instead of big pushes of fish they have just trickled in all season.  Dolly Varden are here in force gorging on salmon eggs along with the rainbows.  Silvers are starting to show up and it is an even year so that means those pesky pink salmon, but they can save the day while we wait for silvers to show up in the masses.  I have a handful of openings for Kings and Steelhead this fall in Michigan so let me know soon if you want a day or two as they will surely be gone before you know it.  Here are a few pictures from recent days.

AK Kings

After a little over a week of set up at the lodge we are up and running.  There are Kings pushing in the Nushagak River daily and the big surge should come soon.  Sockeye fishing should kick into high gear over the next few days as well.  We are only a few days into the season with guests here at Mission Lodge but I feel like I'm settling into the head guide position pretty well, coordinating flights with 3 aircraft that hold 4 fishermen and 2 guides each when the lodge has 24 guests, what will tomorrow bring?  Here are a couple Kings from the Nushagak River with hopefully many more to follow.

A nice Nushagak River King.

You can see an old healed over seal bite above the anal fin on this one.

This one escaped a commercial net only to be fooled by a back bounced glob of eggs.

A thick King.

Ever wonder what 5 guides in one beaver looks like?

Final Spring Steelhead Report

Today was officially my last Spring Steelhead trip and the fishing was great!  Ed and Fritz hooked a lot more fish than we expected float fishing today, our landing percentage was pitiful but still easily into the mid teens.  Now it's time for some boat maintenance and chores around the house, Alaska reports will begin in a few weeks.  If you are not on the fall books yet now is the time, dates are booking and if you wait until the last minute you might miss out.  Ed and Fritz are pictured with a couple Steelhead and a bonus Gar from today.

5/27/2014  Float fishing was good today.

5/27/2014  No fishing pressure and the bite gets good.

5/27/2014  

5/27/2014

5/27/2014  There are a bunch of Gar around right now doing the spawning thing.

Late May Steelhead

There are still a few Steelhead around and they bit pretty good today.  I will finish my Spring Steelhead season Tuesday as it's time to get packing for Alaska.  Check back for updates on the fishing up there, we should have Kings pushing into the river by the time I get there.  For anyone still not on my books for Fall Salmon or Steelhead I have a few dates available in September and November so book em soon.  Here are a few pictures from today.

5/24/2014  Mike with one of the fish he caught float fishing today.

5/24/2014  Tyler with his first Steelhead, he picked up float fishing pretty quick.

5/24/2014   The bite was very good considering we started at 1:00 this afternoon.

5/24/2014  Tyler hooked a bunch of fish his first time Steelhead fishing.