I’m sore. But, it’s a good kind of sore.
It was a steady week of catching, netting, and filleting.
I started the week out struggling to find schools of reds. We found a few, just not the right numbers. Mother/daughter Kelly and Stella pose with the days haul.
On Monday, the morning started off slow, but by afternoon Chris, Lance, Martin, and Chris found their groove.
On Tuesday, Chris continued where he left off and was on the fish immediately. Brandy hung in there and eventually caught her first salmon ever. The two of them enjoyed their time in Alaska so much that they booked fishing and cabins for next year. Thanks guys!
What a difference a day makes. On Wednesday, the river was full of fish. It was the first day of the year in which over 100,000 red salmon crossed the sonar counter. Cousin Sheila, her husband Spencer, their son’s Nik and Kris, along with cabin guest Jackson, had me back at the dock cleaning fish before lunch. It was a Jackson’s 16th birthday. What a way to celebrate.
On Thursday Spencer, Nik, and Kris were joined by Travis and Gina. Like the day before, there were a lot of fish moving through and the hot streak continued. Travis and Gina are from Minnesota and are avid hunters and fishers. When the trip was over, Travis and Gina told me I was the first guide they have ever hired. It’s an honor.
On Friday, the hot fishing continued. Scott, Mason, Connor, Megan, and Lyndsey kept me hopping on the gravel bar netting their fish. It only took a couple of hours to get 30 salmon.
Hard to believe it, but it was even better for the five of them on Saturday. When Megan got the last fish for the limit, Scott looked at his watch and said it took 51 minutes to catch 30 salmon. We spent the rest of the morning practicing catch and release, took a tour of the river, and watched a moose walk along the bank. What a great way to end the fishing week.
For the week ahead, I’m really crossing my fingers that the run hasn’t reached its peak. I’ve got a lot of long time friends/guests coming and I’d really like them to catch fish until they had their fill.
Come back next week to see what this grand river that owes nothing has given us.
Fishing Report Week Ending 7/13/25