See Sheila Keefe at the Talkeetna Visitor center. Right at the Talkeetna Spur.

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Elmer and Mare-E visit the 49th State

Talkeetna is located in south central Alaska about 50 miles south of Mt. McKinley. On this morning the sky was clear and even in the early morning dawn Mount McKinley dominated the horizon. We were fortunate to see this sight as it averages 3 days of visibility per month Three rivers converge here. The Talkeetna, Chulitna, and Susitna rivers all hold runs of salmon. Coho or Silversides salmon were the legal fish of choice. Where we fished, each fisherman was allowed 3 salmon of which only 2 could be Coho.  The main river channels are dominated by glacial melt and filled with silt. Fishing is done in the clear water creeks and streams which feed into the main channels. Salmon eggs are the bait of choice and are cut in chunks from the main skein. These are looped on the hook and a small loop of line is pulled through the eye of the hook  and around the eggs to help hold it on. A bobber is attached above the bait and depth depends on the river. (3-6 ft) Bait should drift just above the bottom.

Fishing is done two ways, one is from the boat. Here the bait is tossed up stream and drifts by the boat. Keep the line near taut as not to miss a strike close to the boat.  As the bait goes by let out line slowly till the bobber disappears then set the hook. I caught my limit of 2 fish in the first 15 minutes. Notice the difference between the color of the water that flows directly from the glaciers, (picture on left) and the clear water in the tributary we were fishing.

The other style of fishing is done with waders and lures. I was set out above a drop into a deep pool with 'Chum Salmon" in it. I was done with Coho salmon as I had my quota. As the captain stood nearby teaching another client how to fish for Coho with bait, I caught 2 more Coho which I released. One nice Chum came to my hook and it was released also as they aren't table fare.

The boats we used were all metal, flat bottom jet boats, These provide you with an exciting ride going to and from the fishing spot some 10 miles upstream. Many people lined the banks and the shores fishing or carrying fish back to their camps. We didn't see any bears this day but Bald Eagles and the mountains more than made up for it.