SILVER SALMON OF THE ANCHOR
By Jim Foster
The Anchor is one of Alaska’s shortest rivers but one with the charm and quality deserving split bamboo rods and hand tied salmon flies.
This is where the locals go to unfurl their fly line across a clear swift river. And, in September this is where the silver salmon and steelhead trout go to find their way back to the places of their births four or five years past.
Located 60 miles south of Soldotna and just north of Homer, the Anchor River is usually the least-fished of any river by visitors to the Kenai Peninsula.
The Anchor has many crossing points only calf deep making it easy to wade. This river is best known for the strong runs of steelhead trout returning to its clear waters in the fall. Many entering the river after most of the salmon have passed.
The September salmon fishing is excellent with the Anchor also having runs of king, pink and silver salmon on an grand scale.
The Anchor offers king salmon anglers the longest season of the three southern Kenai Peninsula streams ... with the season open Memorial Day weekend and the following four weekends.
King fishing is usually the best on the last two weekends of the season. There is also a king salmon derby on the Anchor sponsored by the Anchor Point Chamber of Commerce.
Dolly Vardens, pink, and silver salmon all return later in the season with the best silver fishing in August and early September leading into the steelhead fishery that is a fly angler’s dream. After the first of September, the Anchor like most other rivers and streams, become purely artificial and single hook water. Fly fishermen abound here.
Most steelhead fishing is done using a fly rod although an ultra-light spinning or casting rig can make for some very exciting rock dancing. Returning steelhead love flashy spinners or Mepp’s type lures.
Oh yes, one other thing about the Anchor River, The Anchor Angler Tackle Shop.
It’s not only one of the best fly shops in many miles but it’s the best people shops in Alaska. The coffee pot is usually full and the owner is never too busy to give good information on just what has been happening on the river. He should know; you can hit the river with a rock from his shop door.
My visits to the Anchor River have been numerous with varying results. On one trip I never uncased a rod. Run off from a hard rain in the mountains the night before had still not found its way into Cook’s Inlet. The river was muddy and swift. So, it was coffee and conversation at the fly shop.
Several days later the river ran clear. The sound of the river was urging me on as my fly gear was assembled on rivers edge. Although I didn't know it at the time but this would be the day when my quest for a trophy Anchor River silver salmon would be accomplished.
A slight wind from the south awarded the air with a slight chill. A light misty rain fell off and on most of the morning. The short hike down stream to near the mouth of the river was uneventful. Several other anglers were already on the river. The river ran quiet and was lightly pock marked by the small raindrops.
My first cast looped into the current - the purple fly was swept along and into a cut along the opposite bank - then drifted into a small pool and across another shallow ripple. This cast was repeated several times before a flash of silver straightened the line and the rod was raised setting the hook.
Before the salmon could make its first jump it became clear the fish was already into the backing. The 5-weight rod was bending nearly double. Easing off the drag and following the fish down river was the only remedy. Wearing hip boots today instead of chest waders made remembering where the deeper holes were very important.
Just when it was becoming clear the angler was to be the runner-up in this battle, the silver turned into a calmer pool and line was added to the reel. The steady pressure of rod, line, drag, and her jumps had taken their toll. A few minutes later the fish was led into a nearby shallow and to net.
The damp weather caused a mild chill as the bright female was reflected in the diffused light. She was a pre-spawn female and had just entered the Anchor River less than a mile away from Cook’s Inlet.
Removing the fly from the corner of her mouth she slipped gently back into the cold clear current and eased away. Stopping for a brief moment in a small eddy she rested, then with one quick move of her tail entered the faster water and was gone. Once again she was on her way to the place where she was spawned many years before. There in that place to lay her eggs - then slowly die.
Considering the light fishing pressure upstream, the weather, and the time of year there was a good chance she finished her trip and deposited her many thousand eggs in the river.
It is a pleasant thought to think in a few years perhaps my grandson and I will have the thrill of casting a fly to her returning off-spring in the clear and bubbling water of the Anchor River.
A river does run through the town of Anchor Point, Alaska.
If you have comments or news for Jim Foster please Email him at: jim@jimfosteroutdoors.com
