Calendar wise - silver salmon are the last species of salmon to migrate into their spawning rivers in Alaska and begin to arrive in late summer and keep right on pushing into the rivers well into early fall.  They are no doubt the most sought-after species by anglers seeking a superior fight by an aggressive acrobatic fish that will crush both top-water flies, lures and other sub-surface patterns with reckless abandonment!  There is no doubt that silver salmon will strike a rapidly retrieved fly or lure faster than any other species in the Alaskan fisheries!
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Silver salmon return to their rivers to spawn after 3 years in the ocean and average 6 –15 pounds in our river system (and eat great!).  There are some rivers in Alaska where silver salmon return to their rivers up to the 20-pound range, and while these silver salmon are pretty rare in Alaska - some anglers stay on the hunt for these “silver of a lifetime” every year!

Alaska is the last place on the planet where one can catch all 5 species of Pacific salmon in abundance.  The fishing is still stellar compared to other areas of the Pacific that once had amazing runs of salmon.  Fortunately, Alaska is well managed and has been able to keep away from Dams that are and were one of the major reasons for the declines of salmon in the lower 48.  Sure, there are other environmental issues that are in battle right now as I type that could possibly upset the last great runs of salmon but that is a whole other topic. 

Alaska salmon coming from the Bering Sea side of the Peninsula are still pristine.  The fact is that there are no hatcheries here to enhance the runs, just a pure biomass of salmon rearing rivers, estuaries, and of course the Bering Sea.  King, Sockeye, Calico, Pink, and Coho salmon roam the rivers and are still in abundance supporting not only a thriving commercial fishery in July for sockeye salmon, but also an incredible sport fishing industry for all 5 species of salmon.  The salmon supports all bonus species of Trout, Arctic Grayling, Arctic Char, and Dolly Varden as well. ​

Silver salmon fly fishing on the Alagnak River with Angler’s Alibi should be a bucket list item for any serious fly angler.  While fishing for silvers on the Alagnak, there are so many salmon that your likelihood of catching a fish on nearly every cast is high.   You will catch a mix bag for sure, as chum salmon and pink salmon are always a possibility.  If you target more silver specific water, such as the slower, deeper water accessed from a boat, you will no doubt up the ratio of silvers caught in the daily bag.