Run Timing Calendars and Species Information

*run timing calendars are approximate-actual timing may vary

King Salmon

The largest of the 5 salmon species, king salmon are aptly named for their size and strength. The summer months in Craig, Alaska provide anglers with perhaps the best saltwater king salmon fishing on the entire west coast. King salmon in the waters around Craig average in the mid-20's and trophy class kings in the 60 and even 70 pound range are not uncommon in the waters around Prince of Wales Island. Our method of choice for catching kings in Alaska is drift mooching cut plug herring, meaning you hold the rod, you work the bait, and you set the hook. There is no more exciting technique for catching king salmon!

Silver Salmon

Silver salmon abound in both the waters around Craig, Alaska in the latter part of July thru August and in the rivers of Washington State from September thru November. Silver salmon average from 6-12 pounds, and get as big as 20 pounds. Silvers are typified by their often nonstop tail-walking and unpredictable runs and can provide day long action in the waters around Craig once they arrive. Mooching cut plug herring for silver salmon can be fast action on our summer charters and it isn't uncommon for all four rods to be hooked up at the same time. Back in Washington, the Skagit, Skykomish, Stilliguamish, and Nooksack Rivers can provide unbelievable silver action in the fall. Silvers in the river can be caught on both fly and hardware, and we often bring out the light tackle to make battling a feisty silver even more exciting.

Chum Salmon

Pound-for-pound, the chum salmon is one of the hardest fighting of all the salmon species and they definitely don't get the respect they deserve. We often run into saltwater chums on our charters in Craig in the summer and our customers are amazed at how hard they fight. For the angler looking for nonstop action on the rivers back in Washington, "dogs" are highly recommended, as they flood the Skagit River in great numbers in November and December. This is a great time to break out the flyrod and get the kinks worked out for the upcoming steelhead season, as chums can be very aggressive and take flies well. Backtrolling large plugs, and fishing jigs under floats are also VERY effective techniques for taking chums on our rivers in the winter.

Pink Salmon

On odd numbered years pink salmon flood North Puget Sound rivers like the Skagit, Skykomish, Stilliquamish, and Nooksack. The Skagit pink run usually starts towards the end of July, and the river is typically chalk full of pinks by the middle of August, with outstanding fishing continuing all the way through September. The smallest of the 5 species of salmon, an average pink salmon will weigh between 4 and 7 pounds, but pinks as big as 9 or 10 lbs aren't uncommon. Fished on light spinning or fly gear, pinks provide non stop action all day long.

Dolly Varden

While dolly varden are prevelant in all the North Puget Sound Rivers, the Skagit River system is home to one of the healthiest populations of dolly varden in the entire Pacific Northwest. Dolly Varden are a member of the char family and average between 16 and 22 inches, though specimens can get as large as 10 pounds. Dolly varden are anadromous and have been known to migrate from one river to the next, often migrating between the Skykomish, Skagit, Stilliguamish, and Nooksack Rivers. The resident dolly varden, known as the bull trout, remains in the freshwater environment and doesn't get nearly as large as dolly varden. Dolly varden are aggressive biters and provide great action on the fly.

Cutthroat Trout

Cutthroat trout are available in our streams nearly year-round, but the fall when the sea run cutthroat enter the rivers is the best time to fish for them. Cutthroat average between 12 and 18 inches and large cutthroat can reach 25 inches in length. The latter part of September thru October is the best time to fish for sea runs. The lower portions of the Skagit and Stilliguamish Rivers are the best producers of these great fighting fish.

Halibut

Halibut are known for their fine table fare and are prolific in our Southeast Alaskan waters. Typical eating-size halibut average from 30 to 60 pounds and halibut as large as 200 and 300 pounds aren't uncommon. Halibut are taken both anchoring and drifting large baits and jigs near the ocean floor. In 1996 Don Albright caught a 407 pound halibut while fishing near Craig, AK.

Red Snapper

Red Snapper are a delicacy in many restaurants and can be found near pinnacles, rock outcroppings, and other structure near the bottom in Alaska. These fish average 10 to 15 pounds and can get as large as 25 pounds. We often take these bottomfish while fishing for halibut near underwater structure in Alaska. An adult red snapper can be up to 80 years old, which is why we try to limit our take of these slow developing fish.

Lingcod

Lingcod are also associated with structure and are a ferocious predator of the deeps. They have large teeth and prey on just about any fish that swims within range. Catching them on a small halibut or bottomfish is quite normal and some of our largest lingcod are caught incidentally while bringing in a smaller fish. Like halibut and red snapper, lingcod are also a delicious fish and are considered a delicacy in many restaurants.

Bottomfish

Over 20 species of bottomfish are available in the waters surrounding Prince of Wales Island and they come in all colors, shapes, and sizes. Rockfish are excellent table fare and are a favorite of many of customers. While their numbers are prolific around Craig they are also a slow developing fish and we encourage our customers to limit their take of these fish.