Box 16075 ~ Two Rivers ~ Alaska ~ 99716, Black Bear Hunting | Alaska Caribou Hunting | Coastal Brown Bear | Hunting | Dall Sheep Hunting | Glacier Bear Hunting | Goat Hunting | Grizzly Hunting | Alaska Big Game Hunting | Moose Hunting in Alaska | Alaska Waterfowl & Wingshooting, Fairbanks Ice Fishing |Fairbanks Silver Salmon Fishing |Fairbanks Steelhead Fishing | Fairbanks Arctic Grayling Fishing | Fairbanks Fishing Guides | Faribanks Cutthroat Trout Fishing | Fairbanks Northern Pike Fishing | Fairbanks Rainbow Trout Fishing, Scenic Float Trips | Contact | Directions | River Conditions & Weather | Alaska Hunting Guides. Did Pats make Mac Jones happy? 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. LockA locked padlock 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. With polarized glasses, we stood at the oars and peered along current seam lines and beneath cut banks. Where the river bent hard left, I had Shannon hold back while I fired a spinner into deep water along a log. Fall fish enter the Situk from August through December, while spring fish come in as early as March and as late as mid-June (with the majority arriving in late April and early May). Those might be the two biggest steelhead you will ever see, I said. situk river steelhead | Ready or nothere I CHUM!! Most anglers have a pretty good idea of what it takes to catch a steelhead on a bead, but there are intricacies and nuances. Later, they return as adults to spawn in their natal streams. The guides depend on other fishermen if something goes wrong in 14 miles of river. (Situk River) for mid May, fishing the salt for 1-2 days and the river for 4. It was a portent of things to come. Raven Cabin, Tongass National Forest - Recreation.gov 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. 4Be sure to preface this number with the international access and carrier code for your network. The natural-run Yakutat steelhead fishing is considered the best in the world. P.O. You can contact Riverbed online or over the phone. Steelhead. We took turns rowing through log jams and one time in a long, shallow rapid when I was on the sticks and Shannon was watching for rocks, we missed one, or rather, we didnt miss it. Nice report, always looking for new steelhead areas! 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. The change in the forecast changed how we would approach the water. When the float streaked sideways, he set the hook. Tie into a long egg loop knot then dunk it and wring it out and trim it up to a smooth round ball. Visitors can bring inflatable rafts, kayaks and canoes. This is comprised of both winter and spring-run fish with their spawn occurring in April and May. connected to the .gov website. Our drift boats were staged at the bridge, waiting. Targeting Situk River steelhead in Alaska, Embiid sits out Game 1 vs. Celts with knee injury, Yankees put Judge on injured list with hip strain, Serena announces she's pregnant with 2nd child, Snoop Dogg joins Sparks' bid to buy Senators, LeBron 'locked in' as rivalry with Steph resumes, College baseball player hit by stray bullet at game, Jets bolster OT group by signing veteran Turner, Calipari thanks Bryants for package honoring Gigi. Call usabout family discounts, senior rates, & package fishing trip offers. The Situk River boasts runs of both. Situk River Fly Fishing For Spectacular Spring Steelhead - Yakutat, Alaska, this Alaska road trip that will lead you through some of the most treasured tiny towns, Kepler Park - The History, The Future & The Fish, El Capitan Cave, Alaska's largest abovegroundcave, This Campsite Inside Alaska's Glacier Bay National Park Named Most Beautiful In America, 17 Incredible Alaska Field Trips Many Kids Took And Will Love Even More Now. 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. Most meals were cooked on gravel bars or in parking lots. 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. After rearing anywhere from one to four years in freshwater, these fish migrate to sea and grow at accelerated rates. Moose hunting may be very good. The Situk is accessed at the top end via a nine-mile bridge and the float to the bottom takeout is 14 miles. This section of river extends for two miles and is closed to all fishing for most for the steelhead season. From your home base here in Yakutat, Alaska,day trips to the magnificent Hubbard Glacier by boat or plane provide the one-of-a-kind experience that you will remember for a lifetime. We were hungry for steelhead. The SteelApp product line has been acquired by Brocade. KastKing is a relatively new player in the market which some of you might not have heard about. Dolly Varden are easily taken on beads and egg imitations when they match spawn in the river, and small swung streamers that resemble baitfish. The first day would be cloudy, after days of rain. Only then did someone point out that in fact the fish was a steelhead and a record, at that.). Authorized Know the local, April-Oct.: dolly varden; April/May/June: rainbow trout and steelhead; July: rainbow trout, pink and chum salmon; Aug./Sept. All told, 96% of all public comments submitted during the latest comment period supported keeping roadless-area protections. The next days would be clear and warm. Experience Management, Control Those not interested in floating the river hike from either road to find fish. Alaska River and Saltwater Fishing | Yakutat Situk Inn They were huddled with Ty Wyatt, a conservationist, guide and steelhead junkie who grew up in Lakeview, Oregon. But good drifting weather is not necessarily good fishing weather. 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. UIFN Toll Free (1) Toll Free. Anglers and outdoor enthusiasts from around the world come to the Glacier Bear Lodge each. Appreciate any insight people might have. Two roads access the river, one at the mouth near the ocean and one about 12 miles upriver. This trail follows the river for a mile then turns inland, crosses the Old Situk, and returns to the river at the Forest Service's Eagle and Raven Cabins. Learn about our work in Alaska at tu.org/project/alaska. Riverbed Global Support Email: support@riverbed.com. But like most successful anglers, he is slow to part with information and nearly as tight-lipped as the fish we seek. Shaped by steelhead. If youd like to get involved with efforts to conserve the Tongass National Forest visit americansalmonforest.org. Tongass National Forest - Districts Then for no apparent reason at all, fish will hit anything and everything you drift their way. About a third of the run arrives in late October through November and December. And we can arrange the shuttles. That was good enough for us. Alaska fishing at its best! Targeting Situk River steelhead in Alaska Miller has big dreams of some day tapping into that traffic and taking . Anyone have recommendations on specific gear to use? Some stocks of steelhead can travel hundreds of miles upriver to reach their spawning grounds. on official, secure websites. Shannon and I traded places at the oars, pointing the bow at a new obstacle at every turn, pulling away from it. year to enjoy the splendors of the Alaska back country, and to experience world class stream. Anglers often float the stretch of river between the two access points. This was not always the case and my first few years were simply a challenge to find a fish, let alone hook one. The downstream trail system is more extensive. Each steelhead is like a miracle, a gift out of time, a prehistoric primal beast. 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. Alaska Fishing Trips, 2021 Alaska Fishing with Mark Glassmaker, Website by OTC Web Design Girdwood, Alaska | SEO by SocialSEO. Trees were in every turn of the river, downed timber framed each run. These guys are the most popular fish on the market. XFL semifinals: Defenders roll Sea Dragons, set up title showdown with Renegades. Finally I reached my destination just as a few flakes of snow started to fall and light in the sky began to gather. Contact Cambium for assistance. There are multiple bank access fishing spots along the Situk River Trail, beginning at the Nine Mile bridge. None of us would have met each other except for steelhead. The Spin Cycle: A Day Of Situk Steelhead Spinner Fishing 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. Accelerator Controller, Certify Moose hunting is good to excellent. The Yakutat Alaska area offers Alaska's finest river & saltwater fishing without the high cost factor of more remote destinations. 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. We saw them also beneath the log jams. Drift boaters depend on jet boaters to cut paths through the logs. Fishing on six fabulous river systems of the Yakutat Alaska area is just a short flight with our air taxi partner. Large log jams and root wads are both barriers and habitat. Steelhead Trout. Our famous saltwater halibut, lingcod, & black bass fishing is second to none. Beautiful scenery, wild landscapes, and healthy populations of fish and wildlife are what make places like Yakutat so special. Caught in the lower river, this fish was part of a group of grabby steelhead holding in front of a root wad. Official websites use .gov A .gov about family discounts, senior rates, & package fishing trip offers. The Forest Services new direction for the Tongass will work with communities, local businesses, and anglers and hunters to help make sure places like the rivers and streams near Yakutat remain a thriving fish factory for generations to come. Prices can vary based on trip duration, boat size and amenities, and the type of fishing your group is looking to do. Located near the small community of Yakutat, Alaska, the Situk River is a unique and prolific river even by Alaska standards. A classic fall-run Situk River steelhead. Tongass National Forest Sustainable Cabin Strategy, 648 Mission Street, Suite 110 Parts of steelhead resolve into whole fish. Thats why the rule is popular on the Tongass. Then again, "Many of the steelhead trout in the southeast lay their eggs within just a few miles of the ocean," said Alaska Department of Fish and Game biologist Jason Shull. The spring steelhead season extends through the end of May, during which, the saltwater fishing halibut . The majority of Alaskan voters and numerous southeast Alaska tribes opposed the exemption. Most of these anglers likely know that Yakutat is known as the Yakutat Fish Factory and is one of the best places in Alaska to catch these fish, but how many know why this place is a hotbed for salmon and trout populations? Particularly when the water is low, anglers tend to pound the best steelhead water, ignoring the places where Dolly Varden seek refuge. You will be redirected to the Riverbed Cloud Portal. The Yakutat Forelands, which are part of the Tongass National Forest, stretch from Yakutat Bay in the north to Dry Bay in the south. 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. Cooper Landing Fishing Guide, LLC. River and Stream Fishing. Most of the Yakutat Forelands is within the Tongass National Forest and considered a roadless area, which means it has been spared from industrial logging and most road construction. I took the oars and Shannon cast a micro-jig and float. The Yakutat Fish Factory - Fish Alaska Magazine They are warm and personable, and truly care about making your trip memorable. Alders stacked like toothpicks, cedars, hemlocks and spruces, swept down on giant floods bounded nearly every run. So many times in my life I have found snappy fish with other snappy fish. Federal Building Email Us. Over the course of the river's run, it only loses 1,640 feet of elevation. One of three steelhead hooked in front of a root wad, this 8-pounder went airborne time and again to throw the hook. Sixteen miles long, the Situk River is unlike any other steelhead river Ive fished. Stumbled upon this article, thought it was very well done. Spot a place that cant be fished from the boat? That was 40-something Trey Sharp, and he never said how many fish he caught. This new direction is wonderful news for places like the Yakutat Forelands and so many others across the Tongass National Forest. 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. are not uncommon. The Situk River is one of the most productive and popular salmon and trout systems in Southeast Alaska and the National Forest System. Within the Forelands, there are at least eight instances where roads cross streams and impede fish migration. From your home base here in Yakutat, Alaska. Fishing Opportunities, Alaska Department of Fish and Game The Situk River is home to five species of Pacific salmon, Dolly Varden trout, and the state's largest documented run of steelhead. Each year we start our fishing season in mid-March for spring steelhead in the world-famous Situk River. Alaska Steelhead 2023 Situk Guide Danny Stonedahl - YouTube Controller for SteelHead, NetIM The more access is restricted, the more fish populations will suffer. Epic 3 day trip, fishing steelhead on the Situk River in Yakutat Alaska. The flick of a fin might reveal a holding lie, a blue-black back, the shine of chrome beneath a lateral line. Trout vs. Salmon: All You Need to Know (Updated 2023) Brent Kesey is one of those anglers and I've spent many hours with him casting flies in the clear, cold waters of southeast Alaska. The river can be dangerous for . Situk Steelhead Fly and Bead List United States. These prodigious runs of fish, largely a function of the high quality habitat found in the Situk watershed, draw both anglers and wildlife. Sink. We fished Thursday, Friday and Saturday. To break out of that cycle, plan to launch in early afternoon. The Situk River: An Alaska Steelhead Mecca, Alaska Department of Fish Join our mailing list and receive exclusive updates! The myriad of snags, trees, wood, makes their escape even more difficult to defend against and many a trophy will come to hand as sheered mono. There is no road that follows the water. website belongs to an official government organization in the Check out our favorite flies for fishing the legendary Situk River in Yakutat for steelhead. 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. A highly prized game fish, steelhead spawn from California to Alaska and south along the Asiatic Coast. Alaska Fishing Guides Log jams can actually fence boaters out of good water. 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. The river also has substantial sockeye and silver salmon runs. The Xirrus product line has been acquired by Cambium Networks. Prior to our trip we watched the temperatures in Yakutat and inside the 10-day forecast, we began to anticipate each days float. 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. How much does a Situk River fishing charter cost? The natural-run Yakutat steelhead fishing is considered the best in the world. Truly a trip of a lifetime. Information, Mailing Share sensitive information only The Situk does not give up its prized quarry easily and is a very technical river to fish. Top 11 Salmon Fishing Rods: 1. Here at the top of the float, the runs were narrow and the water skinny, the aluminum skins of the drift boats scraped gravel as we slid from run to run, getting the feel of the boats. Map showing recreational areas. When steelhead are in the best lies, dollies tend to bunch up in soft water adjacent to current seams. In July, the Forest Service announced its new Southeast Alaska Sustainability Strategy. Under this new strategy, the Forest Service is ending large-scale old-growth logging and refocusing its efforts on restoration, recreation and resiliency. A small number steelhead also enter the Situk in the fall to overwinter in the drainage. Steelhead Trout. Lesser fish darted to the sides while the fish, which I estimated at 28 pounds, assumed the best holding lie.