Description
Departments
4 Fish Alaska Online
6 Alaska Traveler
8 Creel
10 Gear Bag
12 Fishing for a Compliment
14 Salmon Sense
16 Fly
18 Alaskans for Mary
20 Saltwater
22 Flyfishing
24 Conservation
26 Wind Knots
28 Holiday Gift Guide pt 1
54 Recipe
57 Ad Index
58 Final Drift
On the Cover
Northern pike infiltrate river systems throughout the Mat-Su Valley. It is for that reason that they have become such an issue for Southcentral and the native salmonid populations. This pike was caught in Willow Creek, a tributary to the Susitna River and a spawning and rearing stream for kings, pinks, cohos, chums, rainbows, and grayling. © Kyle Wilkinson
32
One Bead at a Time by Nick Ohlrich
Decades ago, Curt “Trout” Muse helped pioneer the Kenai River trout fishery, and experienced the transition from using traditional flies, to Glo Bugs, to beads. Curt was known for his generosity on the river as well as his skill in teaching and guiding. He and a partner started Alaska Troutfitters in 1984. Curt was taken from us too early, back in 2005. Today, his son, Cam, carries on the family tradition.
40
Live Sonar for West Coast
Salmon Trolling by George Krumm
Garmin LiveScope has revolutionized how bass anglers find fish, and get them to bite. It’s such an advantage, some bass tournaments limit its use. It’s having a similar effect on salmon on the West Coast. Now we can actually see how the fish respond to our presentation in real time by using LiveScope. However, we use it differently than bass anglers.
48
Targeting Pike in the Valley
by Kyle Wilkinson
One of the most sinister predators in Alaska lurks in road-accessible waters close to Alaska’s largest population centers. Northern pike have established a foothold in many Southcentral water bodies and can provide great sport both during the open-water season as well as through the ice. Pike are also rather tasty on the table, once you learn how to properly fillet them. Both their sporting qualities and their palatability are great reasons to pursue them.
24
Conservation
A Lot on the Line for America’s Most Prolific Salmon Forest
by Marian Giannulis
The U.S. Forest Service is currently revising the Tongass National Forest Land Management Plan—a framework that is updated every 15-plus years and guides decision-making on nearly 17 million acres of public lands across southeast Alaska. The Draft Environmental Impact Statement will drop this fall, and the public will have a chance to comment. Follow TU on social media to get notified when the comment window opens. Then make your voice heard!
28
Holiday Gift Guide Part 1
Every year many of us sit down in the fall and begin to think about gifts we plan to give loved ones over the holidays. It can be a challenging process. In the following pages is Part 1 of our Holiday Gift Guide. We hope it serves as the spark to help you begin the gift-buying process. In the December issue, we’ll bring you Part 2.
