Prince of wales island steelhead 2023.

[Micky_Ireland]

Merry Christmas everyone. I am a 15 year veteran fishing the island. Without doubt my fav Alaska fishing location by a mile. This year for the first time, I’m going to target the steelhead run. Anecdotal evidence suggests April 1st to first week of may being the run window (subject to weather and of course winter snow run off.) I am aware the main constituents Thorne, Staney , Eagle are the prime targets. Any tips or suggestions would be very welcome as I always fish the island self guided. I am a vastly experienced fly angler so im pretty up to speed surrounding tactics and fly selections. I am particularly curious about Thorne river access. ( I’m not looking secrets either )

Given I have only fished beside the goose creek confluence and below the main bridge crossing the river further up the road to Thorne bay I was wondering is the main fishing area on the river? What other areas deserve attention? For example, is the area below the bridge to the sea a prime area? And if so, what effect does the tide have on this area.

kindest regards in advance
Micky Ireland 🇮🇪

 

[DannerAK]

Hey Mickey,
I've fished the island for steelhead a few times. The best advice I can give you is to skip the pancakes. Be the first one to the spot you intend to fish.

When we'd go at the end of april the locals would tell us we missed the peak. When we'd go early in the month, they'd say we were too early or it peaked in March. One can never win. Ha! Every year is a little different and you should be praying for rain while you are there, but not too much rain.
As for the Thorne, the main fishing areas are the ones you mention. Look for pullouts or cars parked upstream/downstream of goose creek and then get up really early the next day and park in those spots, and follow the trails to the river. Fishing below gravelie creek can be good. I've never fished low enough where the tides are a factor. The character of the Thorne is fantastic for swinging flys.

Don't overlook the Harris or Ratz.

First year in 7 my group isn't making the trip. Now I understand how women feel during childbirth...

 

[Micky_Ireland]

DannerAk brother thank you kindly for your reply. And yes I’m getting the same sound bites described in you reply. It’s my first steelhead trip to the island and boy I am looking forward to it. I’m under no illusions either. I’m expecting really tough conditions and I’m sure it will be a hard going. What about Staney creek? man that’s one river that’s hard to crack. Intelligence is hard to come by but I’ve heard amazing reports. I’ve fished horseshoe bend but can’t get any reliable information on the rest. Is there a barrier ( silver salmon falls) that prev the fish getting up stream? Would love to know more.

ive been told from very reliable sources that eagle and rats creek have plenty of fish too although not conducive to good swinging water. But we will see. As you say I’ll need water but not to much. I’ve chosen the middle of April with the possibility of adding a few days in case we get blown out.

Hope you get back over soon brothe. Tight lines

 

[DannerAK]

The only place you'll get info about Staney from me, is on the banks of the Staney, if you catch me in the right mood, by chance. I'll be back in spring of 24.

 

[Micky_Ireland]

Ah yes I’m not looking any secrets was just chewing the fat. Alaskan rivers are easily fished anyway. It’s access issues really. The Staney is hidden from the road so you could spend years chasing nothing. Anyway thanks for the help. The steelhead run a bit smaller I heard. Average size 6-8lbs ? Is that’s correct?

REGARDS