Overall 2008 was a great fishing season. Not a great weather season.
But you can't have everything!
A harsh winter and late spring delayed the start of Dolly Varden and Steelhead fishing, but once it got going it was very good. June brought more king salmon than we have seen in years. Gastineau Channel was unbelievable at times for these big brutes. Summer brought a large chum
run along with good water levels. That meant hot Dolly
fishing in the creeks and reports from anglers seem to indicate that Dollies are getting bigger every year. The pink run was small but they were around in catchable numbers, too. Finally, the silver run was much better than the last two seasons. Creek levels
often made targeting them tough but when the water dropped the fishing
was awesome. For the first time in several years the channel fishery for coho was terrific.
So, what does October hold for us? At this point steady fishing
should continue well into the month. If river levels remain fishable it
is a great time to get out and enjoy the last bittersweet days of fall
fishing. Make up a thermos of hot coffee, put on your Gore-Tex, and
head out! If the rivers blow out don't forget the lakes. Two of my
favorites are Windfall and the Dredge Lakes. If you can get out in the
lakes with a float tube or canoe you are way ahead of the game. The
Cutthroat and Dollies are still feeding like crazy before ice up.
This is the last report for 2008. I will start the report back up April when the fishing starts to pick up. Thanks to all who read the report this season.
