It's hard to believe that the 2009 Fishing Season has come to an end, and it certainly finished up with some outstanding action. With the water level remaining higher than normal throughout most of the month of August, the Silvers continued to pour into the River with every tide. This year's Silvers were larger on average than most recent years, with many fish in the 15lb and above class landed every day. They seemed to have an urgent need to get upriver, and bypassed many of the traditional holding places in Tidewater. But that meant that all three branches of the River had large concentrations of chrome bright fish in every resting spot. It was not unusual to land 30 Silvers 15 miles upriver from camp, many still sporting sea lice. The higher water levels also meant great topwater fishing back in the sloughs. After a few days of fighting these big, aggressive fish, most of our anglers wanted a break to rest their weary arms, and turned their attention to the Dollys and Rainbows. The Dolly run continued to provide incredible numbers of larger than average fish, and many were landed in the 5-7 lb. range. Large concentrations of both Dollys and Rainbows were staged behind the spawning salmon in all three branches and all you had to do was locate a pod of spawners and the game was on. They hit the bead egg the best (match the hatch Alaskan style), but the Mouse was also a consistent producer. Later in month as the spawners died out, the Dollys down migrated as the water dropped, and the Rainbows were more scattered, but both still provided great action.

Overall it was a great season on the Goodnews. While disappointing on most Alaskan rivers, our King run started right on schedule, and was one of the stronger runs in the last few years. There wasn't a day during the season when at least one guest failed to land a 40" or better King! The numbers of Chum and Sockeye that came in about the same time as the Kings were staggering, and provided guests with countless hours of fun. And the Silver fishing throughout the season was outstanding, with many anglers besting the 50 in a day mark. This season also saw the best run of large Dolly Varden that we've had in many a year, and it continued right up until the Lodge closed. And, everyone was thrilled with the Rainbow fishing that started strong and just got better and better as the season progressed. Many a guest had their first experience fishing for Rainbows on the Mouse, and got "hooked" on it. As one of our long time guests put it, "There's only two types of seasons on the Goodnews River-Good ones and Great ones!" This year was no exception.

So thanks to all of you who visited the Goodnews River Lodge in 2009. We're glad you were able to join our Family of Fishing Fanatics and to share such an outstanding experience, one that you or we will not soon forget. We'd love to see you back again on the River in 2010. And for all of you who are starting to plan your next fishing vacation, why not consider fishing one of the greatest rivers on the Earth, in a wilderness setting that can't be beat, with only your campmates and the fish for company. We'd love to welcome you to the Goodnews River Lodge family.

Tight Lines!

Mike Gorton, aka The RiverKeeper 8/5/09
Fishing Update

It is true what they say about the weather in Alaska- if you don't like it, wait 15 minutes and it will change. Where the first two weeks of July were mostly hot and sunny, with little rain, the next few weeks have been more typical. The temperatures have ranged from 55-75 degrees. The rains finally came and the river rose along with the rain, but has now dropped down to normal flows, and the water temperature, which had been in the mid 50's is back down to 48-50 where it should be. And this change in the weather brought the Silvers. They hit the river right on schedule in the week of July 22-29, and anglers were catching upwards of 20 fish per day, many on the popper. Fishing for Kings and Chums remained good throughout the month, and even a few odd-year Pinks added to the daily action. The big surprise this year has been the size of the Dolly Varden. The average size is 18", with lots of 4-6 lb fish being caught every day on dry flies. Rainbow fishing has remained consistently excellent all summer. One group of two anglers fished a day on the Middle Fork last week and reported literally a strike on every cast, and managed to land over 50 rainbows, with many more lost.

For the balance of the season, the Silver run should continue to build each week, and we are expecting yet another banner year. Dolly and Rainbow action will remain excellent and provide a needed break for those anglers who are just worn out from catching too many silvers. If you can get away on short notice, a few last minute spaces are still available the week of Aug 19-26 if you'd like to get in on the action.

Tight Lines!
Mike Gorton, aka The RiverKeeper
 

7/15/09
Fishing Update

With the first two weeks of the season now completed, the question about whether the Goodnews River King Salmon would return on schedule has been answered with a resounding YES! And while many other rivers in Alaska are closed to King fishing because of poor King returns (some for the second year in a row) the Goodnews is enjoying one of the largest runs of Kings in the last few years. The Kings entered the river in late June, and by the time our first guests arrived to fish the week of July 1-8, waves of big Kings were pushing in on every tide. And as if that wasn't enough, along with them came an incredible amount of bright Chums and Sockeyes. The run intensified around the full moon on July 7th, and all of our guests had the opportunity to tangle with really big bright fish. There was not a day where at least one of our guests boated fish over 40 lbs, and many days where the numbers of 30-45 lb fish were staggering. It was dueling digital photos at dinner to see who caught the biggest King. One group of 4 buddies had a daily pool for the biggest fish, and the smallest winning fish was 39"!

But while the fish were there in great numbers, the Fishing Gods wanted us to have to work for them, and so they sent a high pressure system with bright sunny skies and hot temperatures that made you think that maybe you weren't in Alaska. And while it warmed up the water, those days were just perfect for Rainbows on the Mouse, and the wild Sockeye Rodeo. Rainbow fishing remained consistently good throughout the two weeks, and guests filled their fish boxes with tasty Sockeye. For many of the sunny days, it was Kings in the morning, then Rainbows or Sockeyes in the afternoon. On the days when the weather took a turn for the worse, the King fishing was truly outstanding. Catches of 15-20 Kings on the fly, and more on plugs, wore everyone out. The second week ended with some much needed rain, and true to form, some incredible King fishing. The first sea-run Dolly Varden of the season were also caught then, following the salmon upstream as they started to stage for their spawning rituals.

With the amount of King, Chums and Sockeyes both moving upriver and still pushing in with the tides, the next two weeks should bring not only outstanding salmon fishing, but also great Rainbow and Dolly action. Can the Silvers be far behind? We should land our first Silver this week (July 15-22) as some were spotted moving in with the other salmon.

It's shaping up to be another great season on the Goodnews River. If you'd like to get in on the action, there is still limited availability in some weeks. Call us at 800-274-8371 and we'll be happy to make your fishing dreams come true.

Tight Lines!
Mike Gorton, The RiverKeeper

6/10/09
2009 Fishing Report

With just a few weeks to go until we welcome our first guests of the 2009 season, we wanted to give you a preview of the way the season is shaping up. The winter was indeed colder and snowier than normal, and we were right on with our forecast for a colder, wetter spring with high water early in the season. When we arrived at the camp on Saturday, June 6th, the River was 6" over the top of the cut bank and running right up through the camp. The water temperature was a balmy 39F. But by Tuesday, June 9th, the rain had stopped, and the water level came down almost a foot, and is now 6" below the cut banks. It is also clearing and the water temperature has gone up to 41F. The air temperature is in the low 50's and while there is still some snow on the mountains, that should be gone very shortly.

But the big news is that the Kings are already starting to show up in the River. The local residents have already caught a number of them in their subsistence nets, and it won't be long now until the new moon phase around June 22nd triggers the first major surge of fish. While many of the Rivers in Alaska, like the Yukon, the Ayakulik, the Anchor, and the Karluk are forecasting very poor runs of Kings this year, with some already limited to catch and release, or closed altogether to King fishing, the higher water flows from the winter melt will let our Kings out in the Bering Sea feel the River better, and bring in a banner run of fish. All of the indicators point to an "Annie the Door" run of BIG kings this season.

The same conditions that will produce the outstanding King fishing will mean an early start to the Silver run. We expect to see our first silvers around July 18th, and be up to our armpits in them by July 25.. This will be a great year to get your Pacific Salmon Slam, and the weeks of July 22-29 and July 29-Aug 5 will offer the best chance at it.

Be sure to check back here often to get an up to the minute report on the outstanding fishing this season here at the Goodnews River Lodge!

Tight Lines!
Mike Gorton, aka The RiverKeeper