it’s shaping up to be a busy year ahead in the pursuit to restore salmon runs on the Eklutna River. Here are some standouts from 2019 and what to keep on your radar for 2020.
What 2020 holds for restoring Alaska’s Eklutna River
Eric Booton's posts
About Eric Booton
Loving the Eklutna Valley
The Eklutna area is an increasingly favored quick getaway for staff in Trout Unlimited’s Anchorage office. TU’s increased involvement in the efforts to restore the Eklutna River to a healthy and productive state have us spending additional time in the region with zero complaint and we are eager to recommend it to others.
Tips for urban angling
Several streams draining from the mountains that enhance my urban viewscape snake their way through Anchorage, paralleling urban trails, bordering neighborhoods and sometimes disappearing underground for blocks at a time. While the aesthetics and natural state of the creeks range from non-existent to surprisingly impressive, for an angler it’s difficult not to look at the flowing water, assess the potential lies of hungry fish, and subsequently … Read more
Where gravity does the work
Chad turned to his wife Erin, “If I don’t make it back, I died doing what I love.” It was well-spoken and sealed with a kiss. The Class III rapids of the canyon are far from the roughest or most consequential white water in the state, though they have proven deadly. As with many things, it’s better to be safe than sorry when drifting for adventure and a sense of freedom in … Read more
The stress of an ‘un-seasonable’ summer in Alaska
Climate scientists have been correct so far and it is likely that we will see this un-seasonable weather pattern more frequently. The question Alaskan anglers should be wondering is, how resilient are our world class fisheries?
Alaska’s Eklutna River, just add water
As an angler, this is where the problem sinks in. It’s a visible focal point for the issue at hand. On one side, a massive freshwater lake, on the other, a salmon stream that once supported all 5 species of Pacific Salmon sits bone dry.
Help return water to the Eklutna River
For nearly 90 years, the abandoned lower Eklutna Dam blocked salmon migration on the Eklutna River, contributing to the downfall of the salmon fishery. In September of 2018, we, along with many others, rejoiced the successful removal of the lower dam. This dam removal marked a first step in reconnecting 22 miles of salmon habitat and securing a free-flowing future for the Eklutna River.
The mouse-muncher
I can feel myself shaking but for some reason I still hold my hand out for visual verification. The sort of tremble a fish hasn’t left with since putting a rooster fish in the net or landing my first steelhead. My adrenaline is spiked and the only way my grin could be any bigger is if I’d brought the fish to hand, but that’s of surprisingly … Read more
Goldfish in Alaska?
“Let’s go catch some goldfish.” This is not the phrase an Alaskan angler, or likely any angler, anticipates hearing. However, this summer it was brought to Anchorage residents’ attention that goldfish have been gleefully parading around an urban pond in colorful schools for some time. With plans to eradicate the invasive species, and orders to catch and kill … Read more
Tangle Lakes
We were headed northbound for our second wedding anniversary. We had a van full of fishing gear and were set to explore fresh water that had been on the hit list for years. My wife, Brittney, and I were all smiles. What started as a seemingly innocent rhythmic vibration in a wheel upon rolling into … Read more