Each year we start our fishing season in mid-March for spring steelhead in the world-famous Situk River. Most anglers have a pretty good idea of what it takes to catch a steelhead on a bead, but there are intricacies and nuances. Currently, the discharge is around 123 cfs. Those not interested in floating the river hike from either road to find fish. (Situk River) for mid May, fishing the salt for 1-2 days and the river for 4. Tracking fifth-year options for 2020 first-rounders: Which were picked up, and which were declined? Yakutat Steelhead Fishing Situation On The Situk Dependent On Water Spot a place that cant be fished from the boat? Kenai Peninsula Steelhead Fishing is primarily a fall pursuit and takes place on the southern Kenai Peninsula rivers: The Anchor, Deep Creek, Ninilchik and the Upper Kasilof. I turned the handle of the reel, felt the slow thump of the blade in the soft rod tip, felt it load up. Experience Management, Control Steelhead runs are categorized as spring, summer, fall, or winter and in southeast Alaska only fall and spring runs occur. Alders stacked like toothpicks, cedars, hemlocks and spruces, swept down on giant floods bounded nearly every run. The shape of this river is what gets me, he said. Steelhead on Alaska's Situk River - Alaska Fly Fishing Goods Glacier Bear is an excellent home base as it is centrally located and offers nice rooms, hot showers, good food, and a bar. Stream-side cabin accommodations. Know the local, April-Oct.: dolly varden; April/May/June: rainbow trout and steelhead; July: rainbow trout, pink and chum salmon; Aug./Sept. A steelhead streaked from the tailout, up under a cutbank. TTY:907-228-6222 Tongass National Forest - Situk River Trailhead Rain puts you to sleep, as long as the tent isnt leaking. But most would simply take off downstream, and sometimes upstream, never to be seen again. Fishing on six fabulous river systems of the Yakutat Alaska area is just a short flight with our air taxi partner, Yakutat Coastal Airlines. Just being able to see the fish does not always mean they can be caught and there is always a certain degree of timing and perfection to every hook up which makes each fish very rewarding. The 11 Best Salmon Fishing Rods of 2023 - WooFish.com Situk River Steelhead Fishing, May 2020. They are not prepared to stay out overnight and hence, they start the drift at 8:30 in the morning and get off the river some 10 to 12 hours later. The Yakutat Alaska area offers Alaska's finest river & saltwater fishing without the high cost factor of more remote destinations. Yakutat's Situk River Water Level Remains Low, Slowing Fishing Options Do the different thing to achieve different results. They are a Chinese company that focuses on producing top quality products. year to enjoy the splendors of the Alaska back country, and to experience world class stream. If you only know the names of two fish in the world, they'll probably be Salmon and Trout. When steelhead are in the best lies, dollies tend to bunch up in soft water adjacent to current seams. The Situk can be crowded in the spring. The Situk drains a gentle plain of muskeg and trackless forest, as well as a lake fed by melting snows. LockA locked padlock The fish we saw averaged ten pounds, but now and then we surprised one that would go 16 pounds. Situk River Steelhead Fishing, May 2020 | IFish Fishing Forum Check out our favorite flies for fishing the legendary Situk River in Yakutat for steelhead. and Management, Cloud Steelhead & Steelhead Cloud Heading downriver it wasn't long before I encountered some promising shadows along a deep cutbank. Still, I continued on, motivated by the fact I was on the world-famous Situk River near Yakutat, Alaska, in mid-April carrying my favorite fly rod and a trove of proven flies in search of steelhead. Dolly Varden are easily taken on beads and egg imitations when they match spawn in the river, and small swung streamers that resemble baitfish. We might be in competition for the biters, but keep in mind Situk steelheaders depend on each other. P.O. Subscriptions, Software & I hooked five, landed three that day. Shaped by steelhead. Closer to the weekend, and with the river low and clear, our hook-up ratios dropped considerably. The Situk depends on snowmelt and near constant rain in the early spring. We do have drift boats for you, he said. Were they fish? Pull over and get out! Drifting down this clear water river with is pools and runs provide the perfect arena for catching one of the hardest fighting, fast action fish there is to catch. Ketchikan, AK 99901-6591, Phone:907-225-3101 We teamed up with Legend guide Danny Stonedahl for an 18 mile each day float down t. While we were there, both fish moved up into the next long run, headed upstream to spawn. Touched by the water. My friend Josiah Darr, a steelheader and a scribe greeted me in the bar to say he was fishing the river these last two weeks of April. It originates from the Situk and Mountain lakes and flows 18 miles through old-growth forests and muskeg meadows into the Gulf of Alaska and the North Pacific Ocean. None of these rivers receive huge returns of steelhead so success is hit and miss and largely dependent on favorable weather conditions and run timing as well as persistence. There are also guided boating trips and boat rentals available from nearby lodges. Color and sizes of spinners, beads, worms, etc? Enterprises, Client These trips are strictly walk and wade excursions and require a certain degree of hiking ability and wading mobility. YAKUTAT, Alaska It was pitch black, freezing and a headlamp was required to follow the snow covered trail. Every one in our group caught steelhead, but the same could not be said for many of the fishermen gathered in the bar on our last evening. 1UIFN toll free numbers are not supported by some mobile carriers. There are multiple bank access fishing spots along the Situk River Trail, beginning at the Nine Mile bridge. The fish were really hot that evening and more than once a steelie would take our offering, make the wrong turn and end up several yards out of the water. Fighting through a log jam on the Situk River in southeast Alaska. Moose hunting is good to excellent. Official websites use .gov A .gov Huge trees lay on their sides with limbs bare and curled, like rib cages of long-dead dinosaurs. The Situk cuts its magical swath through pristine Southeast Alaska rainforest and its unique substrate, flow, mineral content all combine to create the most ideal steelhead stream imaginable. On the first day we were able to pick good spots from among the other anglers. Yakutat Lodging | Alaska Fishing | Yakutat's Situk Inn The flick of a fin might reveal a holding lie, a blue-black back, the shine of chrome beneath a lateral line. Controller for SteelHead, NetIM Steelhead Fishing Alaska | Alaska Steelhead Fishing Trips 1, Panthers' Bryce Young is all 'business now'. The largest steelhead I've seen landed in the Situk was 46 inches, and I've heard rumors of a couple of larger specimens. Whether you are fly fishing, drift fishing, or spin casting, we will put you on the fish!This unique early season trip puts you on a slow moving wilderness stream, ideal for fly or spin fishing for NativeRainbow and Cutthroat Trout. United States. The Situk River steelhead fishery is the largest steelhead fishery in the state, accounting for nearly half of the steelhead caught annually in Alaska. About a third of the run arrives in late October through November and December. This was not always the case and my first few years were simply a challenge to find a fish, let alone hook one. Over the course of the river's run, it only loses 1,640 feet of elevation. The rainbow-striped 13-pounder (as told by the length and girth formula) took a deep-running Wicked Lures spinner and battled back and forth across the river, thrashing at the surface, taking dad a considerable ways downstream before it was brought to hand. This web-exclusive blog was originally posted on our site in April 2020. Stay on good water or fish down ahead and get to the launch early and race up to the launch again. About 2 miles down the trail, there is a side trail that provides access to the confluence of the Old Situk and Situk Rivers, a popular site for steelhead, sockeye and dolly varden fishing. The Forest Services new Southeast Alaska Sustainability Strategy will realign the agency away from outdated and costly practices that damage the forest and important fish and wildlife habitat, towards management activities that benefit local communities, the southeast Alaska economy, and our fish and wildlifelike hiring local businesses to fix culverts that do not meet fish-passage standards. You will be redirected to the Riverbed Cloud Portal. With 4 species of wild salmon, the largest wild steelhead run in Alaska, resident Rainbows, Cutthroat trout and Dolly Varden, its no wonder so many anglers venture from far and wide to fish it. This area includes numerous streams and rivers that have similar characteristics as the Situk: clean water, a meandering channel, perfect spawning gravel and slow tributaries. Prices can vary based on trip duration, boat size and amenities, and the type of fishing your group is looking to do. Add to that our top choices for custom beads along with hooks, pegs and indicators. There are multiple bank access fishing spots along the Situk River Trail, beginning at the Nine Mile bridge. Alaska Fishing Guides Along the way a spur trail leads . Tongass National Forest Sustainable Cabin Strategy, 648 Mission Street, Suite 110 Toll. Trees were in every turn of the river, downed timber framed each run. Subscriptions, Riverbed Alaska Fishing Steelhead Fishing Alaska. Riverbed Global Support Email: support@riverbed.com. wildernessenterprises@gmail.com, Joe Letarte ~ 7445 Chena Hotsprings Rd ~ Fairbanks ~ Alaska 99712 Red Pipe status culverts impede fish migration. Map Information. Its better to look at the first trip to the Situk as exploratory or even as a pilgrimage. Spectacular steelhead fishery in Yakutat good way to kick off the We fish this in one day which means we try to concentrate our efforts on the most fish-laden sections of the river and we fish long 10-12 hour days. Steelhead Trout. The Situk River is one of the most productive and popular salmon and trout systems in Southeast Alaska and the National Forest System. In comparison to other anadromous species of Pacific salmon, they have a fairly complicated life history. Prior to our trip we watched the temperatures in Yakutat and inside the 10-day forecast, we began to anticipate each days float. angling for steelhead and four species of pacific salmon and trout on the Situk River. The Situk drains a gentle plain of muskeg and trackless forest, as well as a lake fed by melting snows. The SteelApp product line has been acquired by Brocade. During peak migrations the catch rates of steelhead on the Situk River are often in excess of 10 fish per day, per angler, especially on guided trips. Boat after boat goes over the same fish. The repeal left critical areas like the Yakutat Forelands, and the areas incredible fish runs, at risk. In that spirit of sportsmanship, anglers share techniques in the few restaurants, down at the hardware store, over a coffee at Fat Grandmas or between beers at the bar. The Situk River is home to five species of Pacific salmon, Dolly Varden trout, and the state's largest documented run of steelhead. Thanks, Matt! It was a portent of things to come. It took real persistence and attention to detail to hook fish on the third day. Dave nodded. connected to the .gov website. About 2 miles down the trail, there is a side trail that provides access to the confluence of the Old Situk and Situk Rivers, a popular site for steelhead, sockeye and dolly varden fishing. This new direction is wonderful news for places like the Yakutat Forelands and so many others across the Tongass National Forest. XFL semifinals: Defenders roll Sea Dragons, set up title showdown with Renegades. 13. Our famous saltwater halibut, lingcod, & black bass fishing is second to none. Mailing Address: Appreciate any insight people might have. During the past 15 years, the run of metalheads in the Situk River has grown from an estimated low of 338 in 1993 to a high of 15,003 in 2006, according to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. They moved when the light was low morning and evening and held close to cover during the day. So many times in my life I have found snappy fish with other snappy fish. Most meals were cooked on gravel bars or in parking lots. Riverbed SteelHead CX 5055 Series | WANSolutionWorks.com Thats quite the accomplishment in a fish-filled state. The Rodeo Hole is a pinch point right now and very difficult to jet boat through. Anglers and outdoor enthusiasts from around the world come to the Glacier Bear Lodge each. It is flexible and set up to enable communities to advance projects they need, such as energy and other infrastructure projects, while conserving natural resources and habitat for fish and wildlife, which is the foundation of southeast Alaskas fishing and tourism economies. From $175.00. Steelhead. The Situk River offers outstanding fishing for rainbow trout, Dolly Varden and steelhead, as well as sockeye, pink, king and coho salmon. And then it began to look like we were going to get the best weather of the year so far. All comments are moderated before being published. The spring steelhead season extends through the end of May, during which, the saltwater fishing halibut . Single-hooks only. Roads have already left their mark on Yakutat. Fishing on six fabulous river systems of the Yakutat Alaska area is just a short flight with our air taxi partner. The process to implement this new strategy is ongoing. Accelerator Controller, Certify When was this article written? The Situk is accessed at the top end via a nine-mile bridge and the float to the bottom takeout is 14 miles. Blog by Gary Lewis As the day's first sunshine hit the water, I began wading downriver in search of fresh fish and indelible memories. The Situk River has two steelhead runs: one in the spring and one in the fall. Although the float can be done in one, long day, typically anglers will take two or three days to do the trip, fishing as they float and camping near good concentrations of fish. Our drift boats were staged at the bridge, waiting. Log jams can actually fence boaters out of good water. This is comprised of both winter and spring-run fish with their spawn occurring in April and May. Photo courtesy of Trey Scharp. The Situk River boasts runs of both. Alaska Steelhead 2023 Situk Guide Danny Stonedahl - YouTube There were a lot of fish compared to what Ive grown accustomed to in the Lower 48, but there were a lot more people than I am accustomed to. A classic fall-run Situk River steelhead. The Xirrus product line has been acquired by Cambium Networks. Southeast, Alaska Department of Fish and Game Sink. They're also the reason fly fishing - arguably, sportfishing in general - exists. From there transportation is provided and you can get checked into the Glacier Bear Lodge. 4Be sure to preface this number with the international access and carrier code for your network. Map showing recreational areas. Tongass National Forest - Districts Nice report, always looking for new steelhead areas! The guides depend on other fishermen if something goes wrong in 14 miles of river. although fish 15-20 lbs. Share sensitive information only Targeting Situk River steelhead in Alaska These fall runs begin in late August and early September and typically peak in the middle of October. Having fished steelhead in the Situk River for the past nine straight years, my mission was clear: I needed to hike a couple of miles upriver to a few reaches of the river that had always held ample numbers of these often-elusive fish. And how many know about the work that is being done to ensure these fisheries are around for generations to come? The Situk River in Southeast Alaska has the longest running set of biological data and scale samples for steelhead in the state and is of particular interest because it supports the largest known . It also is recommitting to meaningful consultation with local tribes, is investing up to $25 million in sustainable economic and community development efforts and plans to fully reinstate the 2001 Roadless Rule. Photos by Gary Lewis & Trey Scharp. Salmon runs fill the river from June through October and steelhead filter in beginning in the fall and in a larger spring run. Top 11 Salmon Fishing Rods: 1. There. A steelhead streaked from the tailout, up under a cutbank. Sink. Tony Davis of Kodiak Custom Tackle admires a Situk River steelhead, one of several that were eager to sample a variety of spinners in different colors. Board of Fisheries and Game: Actions & Activities, Threatened, Endangered, and Diversity Program, Alaska Resources Library and Information Services (ARLIS), About the Division of Commercial Fisheries, Western Alaska Salmon Stock Identification Program (WASSIP), Online General Season & Registration Permits, Subsistence and Personal Use Fishing Permits, CSIS Community Subsistence Information System, The Technical Papers and Special Publications Series. The Yakutat Fish Factory - Fish Alaska Magazine That was 40-something Trey Sharp, and he never said how many fish he caught. Once spring fish enter the river, however, they are preparing to spawn and often can be very difficult to hook as they appear seemingly uninterested in any terminal tackle. Oh yeah, you probably wont be able to see the stars because of the rain, but thats okay. The Situk River: An Alaska Steelhead Mecca, Alaska Department of Fish and Game Skip to Main ContentSkip to Site NavigationSkip to Section Navigation State of Alaska myAlaska Departments State Employees Statewide Links Alaska Department ofFish and Game Search Terms Alaska Department of Fish and Game Support, Solution Still, there are known holes that hold fish 100 percent of the time and those places feel the most pressure. Some of the rivers inhabitants are very difficult to deal with when hooked and will make a mortal man look like a monkey as they take over. Vernon Scharp with a bead-caught steelhead. Anyone have recommendations on specific gear to use? On your own time, or accompanied by one of our experienced Yakutat fishing guide partners, you'll have absolutely the best time of your life. Riverbed's trained technical support staff is committed to providing world-class expertise and assistance. We saw their shapes at the end of the runs where they staged over gravel spawning beds. The lower 14 miles are floatable from the Nine Mile Bridge down almost to the ocean and while that is not so unremarkable, the river is choked with wood. Riverbed Support: Contact Support This area is natures perfect design for a fish factory. On days 2 and 3, all the best holes had guides and their clients. I set the hook into a chrome bright ten-pounder that thrashed three feet above the surface in a horizontal tantrum and crashed back in a spray of foam. The fall flood significantly changed the Upper Situk, and . with their comfortable bedrooms for two or three, fully-equipped private kitchens for each group, spacious dining, lounging & TV areas, & picturesque decks with BBQ grills will immeasurably enhance your Alaskan adventure. Also: The best gear for anglers camping in Alaska. CHECK LATEST PRICE. Situk Steelhead are among the most prestigious anadromous game fish on the planet and they command special respect and lore that only the most disserting and accomplished angler can embrace. Particularly when the water is low, anglers tend to pound the best steelhead water, ignoring the places where Dolly Varden seek refuge. The natural-run Yakutat steelhead fishing is considered the best in the world. Moose hunting may be very good. This section of river extends for two miles and is closed to all fishing for most for the steelhead season. Those might be the two biggest steelhead you will ever see, I said. Fish average 10 - 12 pounds with fish in the 17 - 20 pound range not uncommon. Thats why the rule is popular on the Tongass. Situk River is the most famous of Yakutats rivers. ) or https:// means you've safely The mainstem Situk River below Situk Lake at 69 m elevation and the lower portions of its larger tributaries are slow flowing, meandering, and of slight slope (<1.5 m/km). Information, Mailing The Spin Cycle: A Day Of Situk Steelhead Spinner Fishing There could be fresh fish in the river any day of the season and the first person on any stretch of water has the best shot at the biter. Fortunately, the Forest Service is now listening to Alaskans and is moving to restore roadless-area protections for the Tongass. Accessible by daily jet service,Yakutat's Situk Lodge, located in the beautiful community of Yakutat, Alaska, offers the ultimate in reasonably-priced World-Class Alaska fishing adventures on the famous Situk River for five species of natural-run salmon. There is no road that follows the water. Some stocks of steelhead can travel hundreds of miles upriver to reach their spawning grounds. 50, Man United in pole position for top four, but can't take their eyes off Liverpool, The VAR Review: Red cards for Jota, Skipp; Richarlison penalty claim, Zags, Vols have gained spots in men's WTE Top 25, Titans quarterback Will Levis opens up about emotional draft day, After hoopla of going No. Most of the spawning in the Situk River takes place between the mouth of the stream and Situk Lake, a distance of about 19 river miles. Hello, I am writing from Spain, we will go in April 2020, I am surprised about fishing alone, I thought that many people fish in Situk at that time! By exploring long straight stretches of water, using polarized glasses and targeting schools of char, a fly-rodder can find great sport. The Situk does not give up its prized quarry easily and is a very technical river to fish. . On our first day I hooked five steelhead with the river green and dropping. Drifting down this clear water river with is pools and runs provide the perfect arena for catching one of the hardest fighting, fast action fish there is to catch. Importantly, the Roadless Rule does not prevent all development in roadless areas. Over the years I have fine-tuned my technique and maximized my efficiency at hooking steelhead in this river; now a dozen hookups per day is not uncommon. Together, the waters of the Yakutat Forelands have ideal habitat for incredible fish productivity and species diversity. Products, Report Call usabout family discounts, senior rates, & package fishing trip offers. Trout vs. Salmon: All You Need to Know (Updated 2023) Jake, a tugboat captain, and Dave, a nurse from Soldotna, had just come off the river after three chilly weeks in a wall tent. Finally I reached my destination just as a few flakes of snow started to fall and light in the sky began to gather. When planning your steelhead guided Alaska fishing trip, the river is accessible via the town of Yakutat which sees two flights daily from Alaska Airlines via Seattle or Anchorage. In Yakutat, from March through April, the buzz is about chrome bullets fresh from the salt and rainbow-splashed, deep-bodied wild fish, some of the biggest in the world. The pace was brisk in the areas of trail protected by a dense canopy of Sitka spruce and hemlock forest. KastKing is a relatively new player in the market which some of you might not have heard about. We were hungry for steelhead. Australia. Cooper Landing Fishing Guide, LLC. Alaska fishing at its best! This cabin is an ideal destination for hunters and anglers. Join our mailing list and receive exclusive updates! If we had been on the river the day before, I might have hooked ten. I suspect our best numbers were put up by the lone angler in our group who stuck with beads. It might be the land of giants but a person should keep expectations in check. Documentation, Network Many compliments..many thanks..Len. With an annual return of 4,500-8,000 fish, the Situk hosts the largest steelhead run in the state. Epic 3 day trip, fishing steelhead on the Situk River in Yakutat Alaska. The change in the forecast changed how we would approach the water. Located near the small community of Yakutat, Alaska, the Situk River is a unique and prolific river even by Alaska standards. KastKing Krome Salmon/Steelhead Fishing Rod. The next days would be clear and warm. The bead has got to hunt, Wyatt said. Country / Region. In comparison, the all-tackle world record stands at 42 pounds, 2 ounces for a metalhead landed about 300 miles to the south by a boy trolling for king salmon in 1970 near Ketchikan. 0011 800 4 782 3822. Stumbled upon this article, thought it was very well done. A few years back Kesey and I were fishing the Situk River in late April when we stumbled on a pack of hundreds of fish that had just moved in on a tide. (That fish was first labeled a chinook salmon and, being the boy's first king, the party took it to town to get it weighed. Click "OK" to continue. 2UIFN toll free numbers are not supported on mobile devices in China, Malaysia, and Denmark. This makes boat travel very difficult, both drift and power boats. Our famous saltwater halibut, lingcod, & black bass fishing is second to none. Situk River Fishing Charters & Guides | FishAnywhere Bank anglers fish up from the bridge and down from the bridge and the first mile upstream and downstream can be crowded. In addition to strong runs of all five species of Pacific salmon, the Situk hosts incredible Dolly Varden char, cutthroat, resident rainbow trout and Alaska's largest run of steelhead. Alaska Fishing Lodge & Charters| Glacier Bear Lodge, Yakutat Because fall steelhead are not preoccupied with spawning rituals and are coming into the river to overwinter and spawn the following spring, they are active feeders and can be very aggressive. My dad caught what may have been the biggest fish of the trip on the third day when the water was skinny. Sixteen miles long, the Situk River is unlike any other steelhead river Ive fished. This habitat is exactly what fish need to spawn and rear, and contributes to the Situk River being the largest steelhead fishery in the state. With daily housekeeping service, in-house laundry facilities, you'll enjoy the comforts of home with the exhilarating thrill of America's last frontier. in-house laundry facilities, you'll enjoy the comforts of home with the exhilarating thrill of America's last frontier. (0011 800 4 RVBD TAC) 1300 007 823 (RVBD) (3)