I bought a fishing trip at the fire fighter foundation banquet for a place where these 2 rivers come together. Alaska has always been on my bucket list but I have never been there or fished for salmon. Any suggestions on what time of the year would be best or any must do trips?

The only thing i have fished for where these two rivers come together is hooligan. Middle to late may. My guess is if somebody is running lodge here he travels to clearwater streams. Come for silvers in august.

Are out fishing out of a particular lodge or with a guide service?

You can check out the fish counts from previous years on the Deshka/Big Su for different species. Deska is about 20 miles up from the Yetna.

http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/sf/FishCounts/index.cfm?ADFG=main.displayResults

There is plenty of opportunity along the Parks Hwy for fishing as well, Eklutna Tail Race, Lil Su, Big Willow, Little Willow, Montana, are all a easy drive from Anchorage. Just really depends on what you are focusing on, Kings, Reds, Silvers.

Dont come to the su drainage for kings. Outside of the deshka which is a zoo, east side streams are closed,fishing is bad, limits are pitiful, and seasons are subject to closure before or after you arrive

P.s. if you look up the fishing regulations for the su the real regualions done by emergency order every year will not be in there.

What did I get myself into? This sounds pretty bleak. The lodge is Lost Yheti lodge if that helps at all. It is fully guided and it sounds like they travel as there is helicopter fishing offered.

Depends on what you want to catch as the time of year.
Also what you want to do.

I can house you in Anc before and after your trip, maybe take you fishing.

Might as well add some time on both ends of your trip, catch some halibut, see some things

Halibut is a one day plan. I have friends in anchorage that have been there for 40 years that I plan to hit up on advice too. I want to see some things and catch some fish that are worth eating. Other than that, no plans or expectations.

So has anyone heard of this place?

If you haven't looked up their website yet here's the address: http://accesslifesadventures.com/alaska/

I don't know a thing about them though. Timing is the critical thing when planning any Alaska fishing trip. Look around a little, you can probably find some reviews. Or email them and ask for a reference list of previous clients.

The only places I have been salmon fishing is Jim Creek(kink river area) for silvers, and I have also been dip netting on the copper river, for reds. I live about two miles from the little su. Some people catch fish there, but there never seems to be a good run. I have never fished the Big Su or Yetna, but king fishing at montana creek I hear can be good. IMO don't mess with guides, especially if you have buddys up here, and if they like the outdoors they should be able to show you some fishing areas, if not they probably haven't done much fishing, or have always gone with a guide, which is a shame for being here for 40 years.

Timing is important The salmon only run really good for a few weeks, before and after can be really slow

I looked at their ad; it appears to be the normal amount of exaggeration and sometimes straight up lies that lodges and outfitters put in them. " and an abundant supply of record breaking Rainbow Trout, Northern Pike, and Arctic Grayling," You ain't going to break no records.

I find it interesting that there are no pictures of the lodge on their web page.

Thanks everyone. I am feeling worse about this by the minute. I may just take the trip with low expectations being it is already paid for.

I just noticed on their website that they have an Idaho phone number. Try giving them a call and see what they can tell you about their services.

Hit the Kenai River. You're already going to be down that way looking for halibut and the Kenai is a world-class fishery. Everything really hinges on the month you're there.

Any suggestions on what month would be best? Mid June?

http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=fishingSportByArea.main

This is a resource you may find useful. I would also look at the fish counts.

Good luck, enjoy yourself and when you get home tell everyone that it really sucked.

Did I not tell you to come for silvers in August. August 1. I might just possibly know just a tad about the Yentna river. I might even know just a tad about fishing it. Unless you like combat fishing, then mid June will be ideal.

FYI I got 5 sources telling me that King fishing will be closed on the Susitna drainage including the Deshka this year. No catch and release, no anything. Guess they will have to helicopter you to ship creek.