Finally, after 3 cold springs in a row, we are having a warm one. Most of the snow at sea level is either going fast or already gone. Water levels in the streams have been fluctuating between medium and low and a few steelhead have been seen.
Although it feels like May, the steelhead know it isn't and as usual there are only a few fish in the rivers. Big tides at the end of April will most likely bring in the first significant push of fish. Anglers flying out of Juneau have reported finding a hand full of fish, but no major concentrations. May 1 - May 20 has historically b een the best window and that looks to be the case this year.
The beach
fishing is just starting to pick up for sea-run Dolly Varden. The
salmon fry emerged somewhat early this year and the Dollies followed them out into the salt. Dollies have already been caught at Sheep Creek, Dupont, the Douglas Bridge, and Amalga Harbor. The Channel around Salmon Creek has not produced yet and will most likely pick up once DIPAC released their fry in mid-May. Clouser
Minnows in a variety of colors, Salmon Fry , Neil Creek Darts , and Stinger
Clousers are all great producers. Keep your eye out for feeding birds
(usually Arctic terns) to help locate schools of fry. The Dollies are cruising in schools so action can be sporadic.
Fishing the
lower half of the tide for Dollies is most productive. Three hours
before the low until three hours after the low. The higher end of the
tide tends to spread out the fish. Expect a lull in the fishing right
around the low, too.
See you on the water. Brad
