Freshwater Weather and Targeted Species
Fishing at Thorne Bay Lodge on Prince of Wales Island
Time of Year:
mid April through May
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Targeted Species:
Steelhead Trout
Dolly Varden Char
Cutthroat Trout
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Precipitation is always possible during your stay on the island regardless of the time
of year. Rainfall averages 90 inches per year. Good rain gear, warm clothes, and
waterproof boots are recommended.warm clothes, and waterproof boots are
recommended.
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Cutthroat fishing during this time of year is amazing. The trout feed aggressively to
gain back their strength from the long winter. It's a great time of year for top water
action.
In late June you will see Chum Salmon move into the rivers and they are brutes to
battle with on medium weight gear. A few weeks later, in early July, the Pink Salmon
run starts. Every year I marvel at the sheer number of Pink Salmon that enter the
rivers. It is something you have to see for yourself.
The weather is more stable and temperatures are warming up. The average
temperature is around 60, with warmer days as high as 75.
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Time of Year:
June to mid July
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Targeted Species:
Chum (Dog) Salmon
Pink (Humpy) Salmon
Sockeye (Red) Salmon
Cutthroat Trout
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The weather is unstable this time of year. You should always be prepared for rain
showers and temperatures in the mid 40's.
The Steelhead fishing on Prince of Wales Island is catch and release. Just like any
other great fishing destination they work to protect their native runs of Steelhead. Our
favorite techniques include flies, bobber and jig, and spinners. We recommend
barbless hooks to lower the mortality rate of the fish caught. Travelling that far to
catch a Steelhead only to release the fish back into the river. Some might ask "what's
the point?"...........I ask "when can I do it again?".
With the increased flows of the spring rains salmon fry are flushed from their rearing
areas and pushed down stream. Dolly Varden congregate at bottle necks in the
stream to ambush these salmon fry. Creating a feeding frenzy that makes for fast
action and a unique fishing experience.
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Time of Year:
mid July through August
September
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Targeted Species:
Pink (Humpy) Salmon
Coho (Silver) Salmon
Chum (Dog) Salmon
Sockeye (Red) Salmon
Cutthroat Trout
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The rivers are boiling with life this time of year. You can catch any one of the four
salmon species on your next cast. Pink Salmon dominate the landscape for most of
August but you can cover different parts of the rivers and find a variety of species
available. If I had to pick one month to visit Alaska this would be it. You have almost
all the Salmon available and Saltwater fishing is great as well.
By the end of September the weather is getting colder and most lodges think it's time to
call it a season. They are missing out on some spectacular fishing. What most people
don't know is that southeast Alaska is not as far north as the rest of Alaska. Just like in
the Spring the weather can be unpredictable but the fishing is phenomenal. If you can
handle a little more rain you'll be greatly rewarded.
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