Talkeetna River too silty for trout

With more than two weeks to go before the first King salmon are to show up in the area, fishermen are angling for spring trout, but it’s not easy these days.While rivers and creeks ran clear up until a few days ago, local fishermen report that the Talkeetna River is gray and full of silt from the melting glacier.

Temperatures in the mid-seventies over the last three days have caused snow to melt fast at the Sheep and Talkeetna Rivers and to deposit glacial silt in the water, said Jerry Sousa with Talkeetna Fishing Guides. He added that his clients have gotten 20-inch rainbows but that fishing conditions are now getting poor at the Talkeetna River. This, however, can change fast if weather turns and cools down.

According to local anglers, the best bet for trout sport fishing is at Montana Creek and Willow Creek.

Fishing for dolly varden, rainbow trout and arctic grayling is strictly catch-and-release.