On The Tal

(What’s a little competition among friends? Fun.)

Story by Marcus Weiner

A competitive streak runs deep in NFL Hall-of-Famer Larry Csonka, and true to nature, the tone became more serious as the contest parameters were decided. This time Melissa and I would combine to form “Team Magazine” and challenge Audrey and Larry, “Team TV”, to a fishing contest on the Talachulitna River. The angling team with the first, most and biggest fish determined the winner. We’d been training all season and were confident that our rods and reels would perform up to task.

Several years ago while fishing with the North to Alaska Crew on the Nushagak, we had started our tradition with a guys vs. girls contest where Melissa and Audrey challenged Larry and myself. We were fishing for kings with Bristol Bay Adventures. Larry and I won the first contest with first and most fish, while the ladies laid claim to the biggest fish of the day. Last time the stakes were that the losers served the winners their dinner; this time it is for bragging rights. [emember_protected custom_msg=’This content is available for subscribers only.’]

The River

The gin-clear Talachulitna River is part of the west Susitna River drainage approximately 70 air miles to the northwest of Anchorage. It flows into the Skwentna River—one of four major glacial tributaries of the Susitna, the other three being the Yentna, Chulitna and Talkeetna rivers—before hitting the Yentna, Susitna and eventually western Cook Inlet. Headwaters on Beluga Mountain start the river, which runs about 30 miles before meeting Talachulitna Creek (this spot is called the Forks) which originates in Talachulitna Lake and travels through Judd Lake before rambling some 17 miles to blend into the Talachulitna River. Halfway down from the Forks is a canyon section that is floatable, but special attention should be paid during high water.

Float trip anglers will put in at Judd Lake for a five- to seven-day float or midway down the Talachulita River from the Forks approximately 20 miles from the Skwentna for a three- to five-day adventure. Lodge-based anglers have options at the river mouth and at the halfway point from the Forks. Daily flight service is offered from Lake Hood in Anchorage or anglers can boat to the Talachulitna by navigating the braided, fast-moving Skwentna River.

All five species of salmon inhabit the river, as well Dolly Varden, Arctic grayling and rainbow trout. Most of the salmon in the river system will be found below the Forks. Kings begin arriving in mid-June with the king season closing in mid-July. The other four salmon species begin arriving in mid-July. Trout and char can be found throughout the season, and will be following the salmon in anticipation of the egg buffet. Trout fishing is catch-and-release only with restrictions on lures.

The Susitna River boasts the fourth-largest run of kings in the state (behind the Yukon, Kuskokwim, and Nushagak rivers) with an annual return estimated between 100,000 and 200,000 Chinook. That usually means for good king fishing on the Talachulitna. Salmon fishing is good in general and rainbow trout angling follows suit. The beauty of the Tal is that the fishing pressure isn’t bad for the cost to get out there.

The Action

After our smooth flights on Rust’s Flying Service from Anchorage, we drop gear in our rooms at Talvista Lodge, fill a small pack with only the essentials and head out to fish. We start by wading and casting to rainbows in the lower river. It wasn’t long before Audrey’s line went tight and the first fish was landed. Thick shouldered at 14 inches, this fish gave Larry and Audrey a decisive edge in the three-part contest. Nymphing above Audrey’s run proved fruitless until a peach 8mm bead dead-drifted in vacated water put Team Magazine on the board. Out of nowhere Melissa ran up and jumped into me bumping her stomach against mine in a traditional “Belly Bump” to celebrate. By lunch it was 3-2 us and our confidence was sky high.

Switching gears, we end up parked close to the mouth of the Tal and toss flies and hardware to scores of salmon streaming by. Larry is in his element, and begins to methodically pound out fish like he was pounding down a defensive line. From silver to chum to pink to the occasional sockeye, the procession of salmon coming to hand on Team TV’s boat quickly put them out in front for most fish. We held our own and produced plenty of bright fish, but they were relentless. It’s hard to tell who caught the biggest chum, so we’ll call that a draw. In the 2008 contest, there was no doubt of the biggest fish, as Melissa’s 40-plus-pound Nush Chinook was the fish of the trip.

By the close of business, Team TV had clearly landed more fish. So we tip our caps to Team TV as 2010 All Media Alaska Fishing Champions.

Regardless of the contest, Melissa and I, in true addicted fishermen fashion, went out with guides Obie and Trevor after supper and caught salmon until dark. As you might have guessed, the lodge was pretty much buttoned down when we came off the river. After ten solid years of fishing all over Alaska, we still can’t get enough.

Home Base

Operations are based at Talvista Lodge, located near the mouth of the river. Guests stay in rooms upstairs with two shared bathrooms, while the dining room and community space are downstairs. It is clean, comfortable, offers good food and great access to the Tal. Satellite TV and wireless Internet service are available. All fishing tackle is included with your lodge package, as well as fish processing. The lodge is part of Alaska’s Big 5 Lodges—which includes Talaview, Talstar, Angel Haven, McDougall and Talvista lodges. We’ve also stayed at Angel Haven and enjoyed this remote lodge located upriver on the Yentna. Check out Talvista Lodge at www.talvistalodge.com.

Getting There

Rust’s Flying Service has been in business since 1963, flying anglers, hunters, bear viewers and sightseers around the state from operations at the Lake Hood seaplane base. With a large fleet of varied-sized planes, Rust’s can handle it all. We have flown with Rust’s Flying Service on many different occasions and have always been impressed with the skill of their pilots, the quality of their aircraft and the ability of the staff to keep the business running smoothly. Flying in Alaska presents many challenges, yet Rust’s continues to impress by providing top-notch service. Check them out at www.flyrusts.com or call them at 907-243-1595

We flew to the Skwentna River drop-off in two planes—a Cessna 206 and a DeHavilland Beaver. The flights were scenic and enjoyable.

Issuing the Next Challenge

It’s time to start planning the next contest, and we are willing and able to meet at any river, lake or saltwater port. This time around Audrey and I should partner against Melissa and Larry to confirm that Larry really is the supreme angler. If he and Melissa should win the next contest, then he will have an undefeated record—appropriate for an NFL Hall of Famer who played on the only undefeated NFL team. Odds are in his favor to win and cement his MVP fishing status.

To watch scenes from this contest on the Tal, tune into the Versus Network and catch North to Alaska on Sunday, April 17, 2011.

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Marcus Weiner is publisher of Fish Alaska magazine. [/emember_protected] [emember_protected scope=”not_logged_in_users_only”]

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