7/6/2023 Fishing Report
I don't know what's hotter right now, the weather or the fishing! This time of year, there are endless opportunities for several types of fish in the area. The kings are still around in decent numbers, and they are still in good shape to boot. Depending on how you look at it the king fishing can go two ways. Either you are frustrated by catching chums and pinks while trying for a king, or you are happy that something is biting instead of endlessly throwing heavy flies to tight lipped kings. Chrome chums are great on the smoker and there are a lot around. Both Fish Creek area and Thane have been really good for salmon. The kings will slowly start to color up and taper off, so if this is the fish you are after don't wait too long.
Out the road, Echo Cove is full of humpies. Once the pinks pile into Echo Cove you will also start finding them quite a way up Cowee Creek. Amalga and the mouth of Peterson have piles of chums right now and the Shrine of St. Therese should have schools of chrome bright humpies. Small flies with a little bit of chartreuse can be really good for chums. Try a slow retrieve of even casting out and letting the fly bob around in the current. For pinks you can't go wrong with a Humpy Hooker or Sea Run Special.
Once the pinks are in Cowee Creek, the Dollies are right behind them. Cowee Creek and Sheep Creek are usually the first two freshwater systems on the road system that you can bead. I haven't heard of anyone trying beads just yet as the saltwater fishing is still so good. I'm guessing that here within about a week we will start picking up Dollies on the beads. Start with fresh egg colors like natural, orange clear and tangerine. During high water use 10mm and when the water drops go with 8mm.
As always, we love featuring your photos for our fishing reports. If you have a great fish, scenery, or action photo that has to do with fishing around town send it our way! You can email photos or videos to cory@alaskaflyfishinggoods.com. Please remember to handle fish with care, especially if you are practicing catch and release. Consider getting a net with a rubber basket to help land fish quickly and keep them in the water until you are ready to snap a quick photo.
See you on the water!
The Crew at AFFG
Listed below are the hot patterns of the week. Fisheries change here through-out the season and we do our best to get you the hot flies. Listed below are our recommended patterns for the particular species available. Happy fishing
Hot Flies - King Salmon
Hot Flies - Dolly Varden
Hot Flies - Pink/Chum Salmon
