8/29/2024 Fishing Report

Our first annual coho derby was a smashing success!  We want to thank everyone who participated this year.  It was great to see such a tight community and people out getting after it so hard.  Congratulations to Caleb Bizzaro, who not only won the killer box of flies, but did so while battling through gear malfunctions!  Chartreuse all the way was Caleb's strategy, and it paid off in a big way.

Sheep Creek and all along Thane Road have still been the best coho fishing.  The North end of the channel has had fish on certain tides, but the consistency isn't there yet.  Thing should change pretty soon with this shot of upcoming rain.  The creeks around town were in desperate need of some water and we are getting it.  The creeks are likely to be blown out for a couple days, but when they drop there should still be some excellent Dolly and trout fishing for several more weeks.  Remember, Dollies are a char and spawn in the fall, way upstream.  If you aren't finding fish, go upriver.  This is the time of year where bead size and color really matter.

Of note, starting September 1st fishing for and retaining coho in both Montana Creek and Peterson Creek will be closed.  The Peterson Creek closure includes the salt chuck and the saltwater withing 200 yds of the mouth.  These wild coho runs have been doing very poorly lately and it is important to let them make escapement. Now that the hatchery fish are back for our harvesting needs there is no reason to retain wild cohos.  For more information you can view the emergency order here Emergency Orders & Press Releases - Sport Fish - ADF&G (alaska.gov)

Grab your rain gear and go chase some coho this weekend!

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, pinch your barbs 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 so do the best patterns to use.  Below are some of the recommended flies for the current fisheries.  Happy fishing!

Hot Flies - Coho

Hot Flies/Beads - Dolly Varden

Hot Flies - Cutthroat Trout