Tsiu River
Fly fishing in Alaska · Advanced · Best seasons: Fall
Target Species
Silver Salmon, Dolly Varden
About This Water
Remote coastal stream with exceptional silver salmon runs. Fly-in access only.
Fishing Recommendations
Welcome to one of the most productive Silver Salmon rivers on the planet. As your guide, I can tell you that the Tsiu River (pronounced "Sigh-you") is a bucket-list destination for a reason. Located on the remote Gulf of Alaska coast, roughly 100 miles southeast of Cordova, it is a small, shallow, and crystal-clear river that offers some of the most visual and aggressive salmon fishing you will ever experience.
Here is your comprehensive guide to fishing the Tsiu.
🎣 Location Overview
The Tsiu River is unique because it is a "beach-entry" river. It winds through a flat, sandy coastal plain before emptying directly into the Pacific. Unlike the deep, glacial "milky" rivers found elsewhere in Alaska, the Tsiu is relatively shallow, clear, and slow-moving.
What makes it special:
- The "Freshness" Factor: Because the river is short, the fish you encounter are often literally minutes out of the salt. They are chrome-bright, sea-liced, and incredibly energetic.
- Sight Fishing: Because the water is shallow (often only 2 to 4 feet deep) and clear, you can see the pods of salmon moving. You aren't just blind casting; you are hunting specific fish.
- Accessibility: It is an easy-wading river. The bottom is mostly sand, and the current is manageable, making it perfect for anglers who struggle with the heavy flows of larger Alaskan rivers.
🐟 Target Species & Behavior
Silver Salmon (Coho)
Silvers are the stars of the show here. They are known for their acrobatics and aggressive nature.
- Behavior: On the Tsiu, Silvers hold in "pods." When a fresh push comes in with the tide, they move upriver and settle into sloughs or behind sandbars.
- Aggression: Unlike King or Sockeye salmon, Silvers are predatory. They will chase a fly, wake behind it, and strike out of pure territorial aggression or instinct.
Dolly Varden
These beautiful char follow the salmon upriver.
- Behavior: They congregate behind spawning salmon (later in the season) or hover in the deeper slots to pick off stray fry and eggs.
- Feeding: On the Tsiu, they are opportunistic. While they love salmon eggs, they are also surprisingly aggressive toward small streamers.
📅 Best Times to Fish
Optimal Season: September
- Late August: The "Early Run." Fish are exceptionally bright and hard-fighting, but numbers are lower.
- September (Prime): This is the peak. The river is choked with fish. The weather is cooler, which keeps the fish active throughout the day.
- Early October: Great fishing, but the weather becomes a major factor. Gale-force winds and heavy rain are common.
Timing & Conditions
- The Tide Cycle: This is the most important factor on the Tsiu. Fresh "pulses" of fish enter the river on the high tide. Fishing the lower river as the tide begins to ebb is prime time, as you catch the newest arrivals.
- Light Conditions: Overcast days are actually better. In bright sun, Silvers can become "spooky" in the shallow water.
🪰 Recommended Flies & Techniques
Silver Salmon Techniques
- The "Wog" (Topwater): This is the ultimate Tsiu experience. Using a Pink or Chartreuse Pink Salmon Wog (foam-bodied fly), you cast across and strip quickly to make the fly "skitter" and "vortex" on the surface. Seeing a 12lb Silver wake and smash a topwater fly is unforgettable.
- Streamer Stripping: Use Flashabou Streamers, Bunny Leeches, or Clouser Minnows in hot pink, purple, or orange.
- Tip: Vary your strip. Sometimes they want it fast and erratic; other times, a slow "swing" works best.
Dolly Varden Techniques
- Beading: Using a 6mm or 8mm plastic bead (trout orange or mottled) under a strike indicator is the most effective way to catch Dollies.
- Small Streamers: Size 6-10 olive or white streamers mimic the small out-migrating salmon fry.
💡 Pro Tips & Local Knowledge
- Walk the Banks: Don't just stand in one hole. The Tsiu changes with every storm because of the sandy bottom. If a hole isn't producing, walk 100 yards up or downstream.
- The "Tsiu Twitch": When stripping a streamer, don't just use your line hand. Give the rod tip short, sharp twitches. This makes the marabou or rabbit fur on your fly "pulse," which drives Silvers crazy.
- Color Matters: Start with Pink. If the bite slows down, switch to Purple or Black. On bright days, Chartreuse can be the "secret" color that triggers a strike.
- Sand Management: The Tsiu is a sandy environment. Rinse your reels every night in fresh water. Sand in the drag system is the #1 cause of gear failure here.
⚠️ Important Information
Access
- Fly-in Only: There are no roads to the Tsiu. Access is via bush plane (usually a Cessna 206 or DeHavilland Otter) from Cordova or Yakutat.
- Lodging: Most anglers stay at one of the few remote camps located right on the river (e.g., Tsiu River Lodge or Dierick's Tsiu River Lodge).
Regulations & Permits
- License: You need a valid Alaska Sport Fishing License.
- Salmon Stamp: You must also purchase a King Salmon stamp if you were targeting Kings, but for Silvers, a standard license is usually sufficient (double-check the current year’s ADF&G "Southcentral" booklet for bag limits).
- Barbless Hooks: While not always required by law, it is highly recommended for easy release and to protect the fish.
Special Considerations
- The Weather: The Gulf of Alaska creates its own weather. Expect wind and horizontal rain. Bring the highest quality GORE-TEX waders and rain jackets you can afford.
- Bears: There are both Brown (Grizzly) and Black bears in the area. While they are usually focused on the fish, always stay alert, fish in groups, and never leave fish carcasses near your gear.
Guide’s Final Word: The Tsiu is a numbers game. It's not uncommon for a single angler to hook 30+ Silvers in a day. Focus on the surface take—it’s the most exciting way to fish this legendary river!
Bug Hatches & Matching Flies
| Hatch | Type | Peak months | Time of day | Hook sizes | Matching flies |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Midges Chironomidae | midge | April, May, September, October | All Day | #18-24 | Zebra Midge #18-22, Griffith's Gnat #20-22 |
| Blue Winged Olive Baetis | mayfly | May, September | Afternoon | #16-20 | Parachute Adams #16-20, RS2 #18-20 |
| October Caddis Dicosmoecus | caddis | September, October | Late Afternoon/Evening | #8-12 | Orange Stimulator #8-10, October Caddis Pupa #10 |
| Golden Stonefly Hesperoperla pacifica | stonefly | June, July | All Day | #6-10 | Pat's Rubber Legs #6-8, Golden Stone #8-10 |
| Spotted Sedge Hydropsyche | caddis | July, August | Evening | #14-16 | Elk Hair Caddis #14-16, Holy Grail #14-16 |
| Black Fly Simuliidae | midge | June, July, August | Morning/Afternoon | #18-22 | Black Zebra Midge #20, Black Gnat #18-22 |
| Little Brown Stonefly Nemouridae | stonefly | May, June | Afternoon | #14-18 | Copper John #14-16, Little Brown Stone #16 |
| Crane Fly Tipulidae | terrestrial | August, September | Morning/Evening | #8-12 | Daddy Long Legs #10-12, Crane Fly Larva #8-10 |