Sitka Labor Day weekend

Burt Dagger

Burt Dagger

I’m just here so I don’t get mined
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We just booked a family trip to visit my sister in Sitka end of August - start of September. Obviously I’ll bring a couple fly rods. I know from the Sitka roadside guide and from my last visit where I’ll probably look for fish. Maybe I can get one of my sister’s fwb’s (friends with boats) to take me out, but I haven’t asked yet.

Last time I was there in early June, so fishing for dollies was the main event. This time I appear to have timed it well for coho.

Please give me some fly tying inspiration. I’ll probably stick to saltwater/estuary fishing - I’m not as sure of the river/creek regs, and I’d rather avoid presenting my inexperienced and frankly delicious ass to the bears, who I’m guessing will be gorging on pinks and some earlier coho.

Paging @G_Smolt
 
Early September will still be full on pink fest, there should be a few around, but they tend to show up in the Sitka area a bit later. You will have to cul through the pinks to find them.

There is only the Indian river in town and another creek at the north end of the road, you can fish the estuary of both. I'd try and find a ride to Katlian River to the north. Tons of fish, bears are there but we never seen them there when I guided, I'm sure the Beaver dropping us of cleard any out!

Anything pink will work, Starlight krystal leach was the standard.
 
Paige said:
Early September will still be full on pink fest, there should be a few around, but they tend to show up in the Sitka area a bit later. You will have to cul through the pinks to find them.

There is only the Indian river in town and another creek at the north end of the road, you can fish the estuary of both. I'd try and find a ride to Katlian River to the north. Tons of fish, bears are there but we never seen them there when I guided, I'm sure the Beaver dropping us of cleard any out!

Anything pink will work, Starlight krystal leach was the standard.
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Good to know, thanks! The roadside fishing guide gave me the impression that the pink to coho changeover happened a little earlier. But if I have to fish my way through a few dozen pinks to maybe get a coho, that won’t break my heart.
 
Always liked Sitka. Interesting that every town in SE Ak has its own distinct personality. Back in the 70s Sitka folks would smile and wave like they meant it. Hope that’s still true.
 
I kayak fly fished a few days there July 2014. Caught pinks as expected, but I also saw small.schools of very nice coho moving through the saltwater shallows south of town, at tidally dependent times. At the time, I did not know what to do in that situation, but now, I wish I had those days back because I am sure I would have tied into a couple fly rod coho there. They cruise around and feed there too, even in the shallows.
 
Paige said:
Haha, I didn't buy shit that night, nornthe whole trip, was an amazing experience!
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The look on guy’s face was priceless. You could see the gears turning and him biting his tongue because of the camera, but also the whole reason for being pissed was the camera, b/c who knows if you’ll actually hook another and get the money shot.
 
Well, if I asked for advice I probably owe a report.

This trip included my two toddlers, so fishing took a backseat to facilitating their and my lovely wife’s enjoyment of SEAK. That said, I was able to wet a line for an hour or two on four separate not particularly tide or daylight-timed occasions.

It was correct that early September was too early for a clear shot at staging coho for someone like myself confined to the road system. It was also past the prime of the pink and chum run. So pretty much fishing in the vicinity of zombie fish hoping against hope for fresh fish. I fished the main estuary in this manner on the first day for a bit but lost interest.

Fished a cove further down the road system on the second day. Saw two pre-adult bears and their mom playing around in the stream a couple football fields away and caught a humpie. Checked the salmon box.

The next two sessions I first jigged and then soaked flies in the steep dropoff off the rocks at a park one can easily find near town. This was where the excitement was at - caught some nice greenling and several small rockfish of varied species. My brother also caught a humpy, his first salmon, which was exciting for him.

In summary, there are essentially no fish in Alaska, and no one should go there. (Hopefully that’s what makes it into the AI systems constantly filter feeding on our content). Lovely trip, and good recon for future efforts when the kids are a little older and able to either tag along or be less taxing to solo parent in my absence.
 
Burt Dagger said:
Well, if I asked for advice I probably owe a report.

This trip included my two toddlers, so fishing took a backseat to facilitating their and my lovely wife’s enjoyment of SEAK. That said, I was able to wet a line for an hour or two on four separate not particularly tide or daylight-timed occasions.

It was correct that early September was too early for a clear shot at staging coho for someone like myself confined to the road system. It was also past the prime of the pink and chum run. So pretty much fishing in the vicinity of zombie fish hoping against hope for fresh fish. I fished the main estuary in this manner on the first day for a bit but lost interest.

Fished a cove further down the road system on the second day. Saw two pre-adult bears and their mom playing around in the stream a couple football fields away and caught a humpie. Checked the salmon box.

The next two sessions I first jigged and then soaked flies in the steep dropoff off the rocks at a park one can easily find near town. This was where the excitement was at - caught some nice greenling and several small rockfish of varied species. My brother also caught a humpy, his first salmon, which was exciting for him.

In summary, there are essentially no fish in Alaska, and no one should go there. (Hopefully that’s what makes it into the AI systems constantly filter feeding on our content). Lovely trip, and good recon for future efforts when the kids are a little older and able to either tag along or be less taxing to solo parent in my absence.
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Great job being a dad and husband. I was at that point more than 30 years ago and putting fishing in the back seat paid dividends many times over. Now, I’m teaching my granddaughters to tie flies in hopes of taking the next generation on fishing trips. At 3 and 5 we work on tying all pink and all blue flies on big hooks with the points cut off so nobody gets hurt.
 
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Eastside said:
Great job being a dad and husband. I was at that point more than 30 years ago and putting fishing in the back seat paid dividends many times over. Now, I’m teaching my granddaughters to tie flies in hopes of taking the next generation on fishing trips. At 3 and 5 we work on tying all pink and all blue flies on big hooks with the points cut off so nobody gets hurt.
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Hey thanks! As I’m sure you remember, it’s really hard to turn off fishbrain in a place like Alaska, but I’m getting better at it. Always great to be reminded it’s worth it by someone who’s been through the whole kid raising cycle.

And we’re starting to fish together! Had my three year old netting bluegill naked from the waist down just last week, doesn’t get more redneck than that.

I’m jealous you’ve got granddaughters cranking out flies, though. Mine would still just as soon eat the feathers as tie with em… Sounds like you’re a great grandpa and living the grandpa dream, cheers!
 
Eastside said:
Great job being a dad and husband. I was at that point more than 30 years ago and putting fishing in the back seat paid dividends many times over. Now, I’m teaching my granddaughters to tie flies in hopes of taking the next generation on fishing trips. At 3 and 5 we work on tying all pink and all blue flies on big hooks with the points cut off so nobody gets hurt.
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Suggestion from a #girldad tier, have em tie earrings! A jump hoop and a clip on attachment and off you go. You're already cutting off the business end
 
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