RUSSIAN RIVER PRE-SEASON REPORT
Tuesday, June 9, 2020
Summary: This coming Thursday, June 11, sees the annual opening of one of Alaska’s premier sport fisheries, the Russian River. Adding to the excitement this year is the recent emergency order announcement by ADF&G to also open up the sanctuary to fishing, something ordinarily reserved to when a run is doing very well in terms of numbers of fish in the area and set management escapement goals are believed to be met or exceeded. As of June 8, the weir near Lower Russian Lake outlet on the Russian River had yet to count any red salmon passing through and department crews surveying the river and confluence area reported anglers would likely experience slow fishing at the season opener due to low numbers of fish present. This year’s opening of the sanctuary reflects the confidence of the run performing well over time and a substantial lack of visiting anglers from out of state participating in the fishery.
An inspection team from The Roadside Angler’s Guide was dispatched to the Russian River yesterday afternoon (June 8) and found the river to be flowing very clear and reasonably low for this time of year, making river crossings and visually targeting fish possible. From the Russian River campground downstream to top of the sanctuary marker, small schools of fish could be observed in the deeper holes and runs. The confluence area of the Russian and Kenai rivers did see an increased presence of salmon but no great concentrations of fish yet. Upstream of the campground, there were intermittent groups of reds moving or holding, primarily in holes and eddies. There was also a reserved presence of fish at the bottom of the falls waiting to negotiate their way up towards the department weir and the lake; the weir should begin counting salmon very shortly.
Anglers wanting the best shot at landing fish should consider two options: One, there are more reds in the sanctuary than anywhere else on the Russian and the best spot for those not intent on sight fishing for them. Expect some limits to be achieved by those lucky enough to be in the right place. Two, if wanting to fish the Russian River proper, sight fishing will be the most effective method in harvesting. The water is low and clear and salmon are concentrated in a few key locations, making visual targeting a necessity for success. In addition, be on the river at dawn before the day crowd arrives. However, things can change rapidly in the world of fishing and the red salmon run up the Russian is no exception. All it takes for the Russian to really turn on is a strong push of fish up from the river mouth and upper Kenai to make the day, this often being the case if cloudy and rainy weather settles over the area prior to the season opener. Another alternative is for anglers to scout the runs and gravel beaches along the upper Kenai River for Russian-bound fish, which can be surprisingly rewarding at times.
Last year’s record-setting early run of red salmon was truly exceptional and the run this year is projected to fall more in line of normalcy. A good indicator of the strength (and timing) of this run is the success anglers on the lower Kenai River experience leading up to the June 11 opener on the upper river and the Russian. Limits of reds were being enjoyed by anglers in the Soldotna area already by Memorial Day weekend last year, whereas this year the fishing has been largely inconsistent with sporadic catches typical. Fish are being caught right now, just not the fast-paced action compared to last year. At this stage it appears that the run is more in line of average run timing; as of average run size, that remains to be seen.
TURNAGAIN ARM HOOLIGAN REPORT
Monday, May 4, 2020
Summary: The annual spring dip-netting rite targeting hooligan along the shores of Turnagain Arm and 20-Mile River has begun. As of yesterday (Sunday, 5/3), the run of silvery smelt is building in numbers and attracting not just throngs of people but large gatherings of seagulls and eagles on the tidal flats as well. Dippers were reporting slow to quite good success depending on location and time of day, with most managing to score some 15 to 25 fish per hour of effort. This is, in terms of average catches for the area in early May, about mediocre to fair.
In contrast to the exceptionally early and warm spring last year, when hooligan were first reported caught on the 7th of April and the run going full speed already the last few days of that month, the run this year is following a more normal trajectory concerning timing. Depending on run strength, the peak of the run should appear around the 15th of this month with good to excellent dipping through May in the briny of Turnagain Arm and possibly into early June in 20-Mile River. Fish may be taken on all stages of the tide but the outgoing and low tides are generally most productive.
Boaters are also launching at the 20-Mile, heading upstream to reputed slots known for relatively quick and easy catches. Although the main bulk of the run is still probably two weeks away, smelt are being scooped up and success can be quite decent if managing to find a spot that has concentrations of fish present. But do not expect big numbers of hooligan in the river just yet.
Another update will be posted later in the week if conditions significantly change.