It has been a rainy few weeks in Juneau and high river levels have
been the norm. In between the storms the rivers have dropped down, Gastineau Channel has cleared, and
some good silver fishing has taken place.
The rest of September and early October should produce more fish
when the rivers drop. Most rivers around Juneau will clear and be fishable within 24-36 hours of the rains stopping. Cowee Creek, being a much larger drainage, takes 36-48
hours to come back into shape. Cowee also drops when over night temperatures
go down and its headwater glacier freezes up. Late season can produce
some great coho days. Watch the weather forecast and plan your outing
during (or just after) one of Juneau's short dry spells.
It is hard to say if Gastineau Channel is done or not. Silvers being taken at the hatchery are still chrome bright but the rest of the channel has been very slow of late. I will update this report if it turns back on.
The lakes also are a good bet late in the season. Fat Cutthroat and
Dolly Varden return from a summer of feeding and are aggressively taking
flies before the ice sets in. Windfall Lake is my favorite. The Dredge
Lakes and Auke Lake can be very good, too. Try #8 Black Egg Sucking
Leeches, Beadhead Thin Mints, and Matukas in Olive or Black.
Make sure to get out and fish before it all wraps up!
See you on the water! Brad
