Spin

Hi, all
Where in Alaska and when is a good time to go there to eat fresh salmon right out of the river.
Thanks

Tippy

Been told by a couple people that the salmon numbers are WAY down this year.
sorry i dont have a secret spot for you

Packrat

Salmon run is pretty much done for this year.
Next year:

Kings - May/early June
Silvers - July
Reds - July/August
Chum - July/August

You can catch salmon from Ship Creek in downtown ANC but you won't be alone.

Kenai Peninsula is probably best for Cheechakos.

tomgoodman

I caught a Cheechako last year, but had to throw him back.

badflaps

Just go where you see the big furry critters and ask if you can join in.

Packrat

Pretty much EVERYONE fishing in Ship Creek snags a Cheechako. There is, however, no limit on them. Fish and Game doesn't seem to care.

tomgoodman

Saw an old salmon facing downstream in Ship Creek, holding up a sign. Translated from salmonese, it said: “Go back! It’s not worth the effort!”

JamesNoBrakes

This is a little off IMO, Silvers are a little later, they start around July. July is heavy King season on the Kenai too, unless there are restrictions like this year (not enough fish returning). Hope, AK, is a good place to slay Silvers around the 3rd week of July.

Reds taper way off towards the end of June, I wouldn't count August in there. Keep in mind, this is the 2nd run, the 1st run is said and done, the 2nd run peaks somewhere in the 2nd week of July near the mouth, then tapers off and a few weeks later they are zombies anyway.

This year we scored at the absolute peak of the Red run in Kenai, but the way to do that is basically be down there that entire week. There is often great fishing upstream from the bank though and people are generally pulling Reds for the entire month of July. You can go down to Seward and snag Reds earlier usually.

Kenai is often pretty crazy, but Ship Creek gets to be pretty dumb. You can even fish for Halibut form the beach near Kenai with a surf-rod.

IMO, catching Reds or Silvers from the bank with a fly rod is great fun. It's easy to pack a collapsible fly rod too.

vagabond

I just go to Pike Place Market for all my needs.

JamesNoBrakes

Not bad, but doesn't compare with going to Nome for the crab